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The lost AFCON fever
Low patronage for Black Stars paraphernalia
Coming events, they say cast their shadows before them.
Could this axiom be the reason for the obvious fans apathy against the Black Stars in an AFCON year?
A few fans have confirmed that due to the recent poor performances and disappointing results they churn out, they have decided to be indifferent and wait for the championship to peak and see what the Stars have for Ghanaians.
But another school of thought is also hanging around those who have decided to be patriotic and support the Black Stars no matter what.
However, this group are also supporting with caution and with modest expectation.
Fans boredom against the Black Stars have become very palpable but the levels to which it has sunk to needs the football people to rethink and get the fans back to the stands to cheer their national teams.
A walk through some principal streets of the capital reveals a situation unprecedented.
Usually, an AFCON period would be one replica jersey and other sports paraphernalia vendors look out for to cash out.
They sell products ranging from jerseys, flags, various wrist bands created in national colours to balls and face painting, especially on match days.
Now, one gets to his/her place of work to also find colleagues dressed dazzlingly in Black Stars replica jerseys and other stuff related to the team.
The sound of vuvuzela would also be heard everywhere, sending a strong message to even the non-fanatics of the team’s readiness for battle.
But what is seen today is nothing to write home about. The streets look normal with people minding their businesses. Vendors anticipate the worst so they are reluctant to invest in the sale of paraphernalia.
The streets of Osu Oxford street is a good example. On match days especially, vendors would be seen busily attending to customers, accompanied by some hawking along the street to attend to those in vehicles.
The Kwame Nkrumah Circle area, stretching to the Awudome end is also not spared of the usual hustling and bustling in this ‘festive’ period but a visit there revealed otherwise.
If that is a sign of how the spirit of the fans has dimmed, then the Black Stars have a long road to journey back to their fans.
This situation has brought about issues concerning player commitment, the quality of playing staff and the competence of the technical team appointed to end the 42-year-old AFCON drought.
It came as little surprise, therefore when the supposed team’s king pin, Kudus Mohammed granted an interview underscoring his commitment to the team.
I have always maintained that an invitation to feature for a national team was something every footballer should grab with pride because it does a lot of good to the player’s reputation.
This is a fact players are well aware of.
Ghana is blessed with a lot of talented players who are plying their trades across the globe and for that matter, concerns about quality must not come up.
But it does because it appears the system or criteria for selection lacks transparency and therefore anytime teams are selected, it attracts dissenting views.
However, a team of 27 players or so meant that the system cannot have every player on board. It is the reason the wailing and gnashing of teeth must end for fans to wear their colourful jerseys to support their team.
The group opening loss to Cape Verde may have dampened the spirit of many further. The outcome of the second game against Egypt remains unknown as of press time for this paper but no matter the outcome, Ghanaian fans must reignite that passion and support for the team to thrive
By Andrew Nortey
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GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
