Sports
When Commission’s recommendations are blackened!
Ghana has had a googol of Committees and Commissions of Inquiry over the years. And, it is exciting to see the rapidity with which such groups were put together.
Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong forming a Committee or Commission to stage a ‘snake-pit’ inquisition into any supposed scandalous activity committed against the state.
Indeed, that is one of the practical steps to take to establish the truth or otherwise of a situation.
Most of the Committees put together are supposed to comprise of men and women of integrity and honesty whose image are always on the line and would stop at nothing to ensure they did a good, solid job.
Such personalities, most often than not, would hardly bend the rules – or dance to anybody’s whim and caprices.
It is sad to say, however, that we are becoming a country that is only animated with the swift formation of such committees, but are not really fascinated about the upshot of the painstaking days and months of sitting.
More painful and heart-throbbing is the fact that we spend tens of thousands of the tax payer’s money on committee sittings only to throw their reports and recommendations into the drain unashamedly.
It is bewildering. It is inconceivable. It is unthinkable. Why we do this as a nation is something that would continue to hound the minds of well-meaning Ghanaians, for many years to come.
Unmistakably, it is increasingly becoming palpable that such committees were only set up to, as it were, gratify the public. Or, you can also say, the authorities were only trying to play the ‘Russian Roulette’ by forming the committees.
As we speak now, there are quite a number of such committee reports and recommendations gathering dusts at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and the National Sports Authority (NSA).
Indeed, you do not have to stretch too much to point to a couple of them in recent times including the Maputo 2011 All Africa Games Committee that recommended for the prosecution of certain individuals enmeshed in financial impropriety.
What happened to the Justice Senyo Dzamefe White Paper Report on the Brazil 2014 World Cup after the ignominious first round exit of the Black Stars? What about the 2018 Australia Visa Scandal Report and its recommendations? You remember the Justice Sule Gbadegbe Commission White Paper Report on Player Transfer Scandal in the late 90s, too?
Question is, why do we decide to splash the tax payer’s hard-earned cash on such Committees and Commissions, all-too aware that we are going to take their recommendations with a pinch of salt?
Many people indicted by such committees have gone scot-free with all their ‘ill-gotten booties’ because the ‘damning’ recommendations have been gum-booted into the abyss.
For how long are we going to tread this disturbingly agonizing path? Forever?
God have mercy on us!
By John Vigah
Sports
Bukari, Forson Amankwah, Schindler, others join Black Stars for upcoming qualifiers
Osman Bukari (Austin FC), Ransford Yeboah Koningsdorffer (Hamburger SV), Forson Amankwah (Norwich City), Terry Yegbe (IF Elfsborg), Ebenezer Annan (OFK Beograd) and Kingsley Schindler (Samsunspor) will join the Black Stars ahead of crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
These players replace Joseph Paintsil, Antoine Semenyo, Ibrahim Osman, Tariq Lamptey, Jerome Opoku, and Inaki Williams, who are unavailable. Ghana faces Angola on Friday, November 15 and host Niger on Monday, November 18, 2024.
The team trains at Accra Sports Stadium, starting Monday, November 11, at 5 p.m.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
Sports
Premier League: Gold Stars FC maintain unbeaten start; Nations FC smash Nsoatreman; Kotoko fall to Bechem United
Gold Stars FC maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a remarkable draw at Young Apostles FC, Nations FC crashed Nsoatreman FC while Asante Kotoko are without a win in their last three Premier League matches.
Young Apostles 0-0 Gold Stars FC
Gold Stars FC maintained their unbeaten run in the Premier League as they shared a goalless draw with Young Apostles FC at the Wenchi Stadium on Sunday.
Frimpong Manso’s side have now gone 10 matches without a defeat but have seen their three-point lead at the top of the table cut to just one following the stalemate.
The home side dominated possession as expected, but were tested by the visitors on several occasions at the Nana Abrefa Nketiah VII Stadium in Wenchi as the two teams shared the spoils.
The Bibiani-based side are top of the table with 20 points from 10 games, while Young Apostles have slipped to 14th in the table.
Bechem United 1-0 Asante Kotoko SC
Asante Kotoko are without a win in three matches after losing 1-0 at Bechem United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Kofi Tompuo’s spectacular volley in the 27th minute separated the two teams at the Nana Gyeabour Park in Bechem.
The Porcupine Warriors have dropped out of the top four as they now lie 6th in the table with United placed in mid-table.
Nations FC 3-0 Nsoatreman
Nations FC made light work of Nsoatreman FC after hammering the visitors 3-0 in Sunday’s match day 10 fixture in the Premier League.
In-form wideman Faisal Charwetey continued his fine form with a brace after Bi Boris had opened the scoring for the home side.
Boris scored first in the 7th minute before Charwetey added further goals in the 10th and 18th minute to complete the rout at the Dr.Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.
Charwetey, who has now scored seven goals in 10 matches, is the leading top scorer in the 2024-25 Premier League so far.
Nations are just a point behind leaders Gold Stars FC in second place with 19 points.
Aduana FC 1-0 Karela United
Aduana FC continued their resurgence with a solitary 1-0 win over Karela United at home on Sunday.
Gideon Boateng scored the only goal of the match to separate the two teams at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park.
The Fire Club has now moved up to 11th in the table with 11 points while United are just a point above the bottom three.
Basake Holy Stars 2-1 Accra Lions
Basake Holy Stars rallied from behind to beat Accra Lions 2-1 at the Crosby Awuah Memorial (C.A.M) Park on Sunday.
Holy Stars goalkeeper Dubi Kassi Tayi guided the ball into his own net in the 33rd minute before Prince Tweneboah grabbed a sensational brace in the 63rd and 91st minute.
The match appeared to be heading to a 1-1 draw until Tweneboah stepped up with the decisive goal in added time.
The Aiyinase-based side lie 10th in the table with 12 points while Accra Lions lie in the bottom three.
Heart of Lions 1-0 Berekum Chelsea
Heart of Lions recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Berekum Chelsea at home on Sunday to jump into the top four.
Christian Agyenim Boateng’s second half strike was all that Lions needed to wrap up a win at the Kpando Stadium.
Lions have now jumped to third in the table with 17 points, just three behind leaders Gold Stars FC while Chelsea have slipped to 8th in the table.
FC Samartex 1996 1-0 Legon Cities
Seidu Abubakar scored in stoppage time for FC Samartex 1996 in their 1-0 win over Legon Cities at home on Sunday.
The visitors will feel heartbroken after holding the defending champions until the 90th minute when Abubakar slotted home the decisive goal to down the Royals at the Nsenkyire Arena.
Samartex have jumped to 4th in the table with 17 points while Legon Cities remain in the bottom three.