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Stars aim to finish off South Africa
After leaving their qualification to the 2022 Qatar World Cup hanging on the ropes, the Black Stars of Ghana will face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa tomorrow in a ‘redemption’ encounter at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
Ghana was hoping to beat Ethiopia and leapfrog the group leaders South Africa to cement their quest to get through to the next stage of the qualifiers but was stunned with a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia on Thursday, leaving their qualification hanging.
Skipper Andre Ayew had given the Stars the lead on the 22nd-minute mark of the crucial encounter and were hoping to cruise to victory till Getaneh Kebede equalised in the 72nd minute to deny the visitors the win.
South Africa, who played Zimbabwe in the late kick-off, remained on top of the group with Ghana occupying the second position with 10 points.
Ghana would need to beat South Africa decently in order to get to the next stage of the competition.
Tomorrow’s potentially absorbing cracker should see the Stars downing their familiar opponents in a bid to put themselves into the final phase of the qualifiers.
The Stars have been to three of the last four World Cup tournaments and are dreaming again to dazzle the world with its stunningly beautiful piece of football.
But they must grind the results at all cost as the South Africans had already indicated their interest at the next Mundial.
The likes of Andre Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, and Kamaldeen Sulemanu who failed to carry the team on their shoulders, must show up against South Africa.
Another miss at the Mundial would be a huge blow to Ghanaian fans as the Black Stars were gradually receiving a little bit of support after their disappointments in recent years.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
