Day: June 28, 2024

Former Medeama SC striker, Jonathan Sowah, has terminated his contract with Libyan side Al-Nasr Benghazi as he prepares to join Tanzanian giants Young Africans SC.

The termination was done mutually, with both sides agreeing to end their engagement just six months after Sowah joined.

He is now officially a free agent.

Sowah was supposed to see through his deal until 2025 after joining for 200,000 Euros. The forward scored four goals to finish the season with Al-Nasr Benghazi.

Reports suggest that Sowah will be joining Yanga on a three-year deal.

Sowah has been on the radar of the Tanzanian powerhouse for a while after his performance against them in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Source: Ghana Web

Accra Hearts of Oak have sacked their star midfielder, Salifu Ibrahim, from camp and he is set to miss the Democracy Cup against Asante Kotoko on July 5, 2024.

The player’s agent, Benedict Asiedu, confirmed the report in an interview with Kessben FM, stating that the club’s decision follows a disagreement over contract renewal negotiations.

Asiedu said his client has refused to extend his stay with the Rainbow side due to unfair treatment he faced during the just-ended 2023/2024 Ghana Premier League season.

“It’s about contract extension. We couldn’t find an agreement because the player is hurt about certain things,” he said.

While highlighting the issues, he said, “The issues are that Hearts wanted to sell him to Nsoatreman FC without informing him, sidelining him for no reason, a new coach comes in, he plays him, and they tell the coach not to use him, and all that. If there is time for him to extend his contract, it will be difficult.”

Benedict Asiedu claimed that two board members, Alhaji Akambi and
Vincent Odotei Sowah, were behind the supposed horrible treatment of his client.

“Only Akambi and Odotei can explain why they were doing that,” he added.

Akamb, in response, revealed that he had nothing to do with Salisu’s exit as it was solely the coach Aboubakar Ouattara’s decision.

“The coach called me on the phone to tell me that he sacked some players including Salisu Ibrahim, that’s what he told me. So when he is been told to go then what has that got to do with me and Odotei?,” he told Kessben FM.

Regarding contract renewal negotiations, Akambi said the player through his agent demanded a $2,500 monthly salary but he proposed to pay the figure as gross and not net.

“The figure he wants at net salary, I told him that we can only pay that as gross. I was waiting for him to get back to me but he was insisting on what he wanted. Asiedu called me after the player scored against Nsoatreman and told me that for anything less than $2,500, the boy would not play again. So I asked him ‘Is he the only player
that will play?'”

Salifu Ibrahim’s exit brings an end to his three-year stay at Hearts of Oak. He joined the club in 2021, helping them to win the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League title.

He won the club’s best player award and the league’s best player at the end of the campaign. The mercurial midfielder won a total of 5 trophies.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghanaian boxer, Seth Gyimah, known by his ring name Freezy Macbones, has clarified that he is not in a romantic relationship with media personality Deloris Frimpong Manso, also known as Delay.

He expressed admiration for Delay’s dedication and intellectual prowess in effectively managing her personal and professional life to achieve success in all her endeavors.

He acknowledged the value of having a friend who possesses Delay’s personality traits.

“Delay is beautiful and is doing very well in her life. Many Ghanaians like her because of how she carries herself. Even on social media, business and all that stuff. And she is helping the Youth. So having such a person as a friend really helps. Delay is my friend,” he said on Asempa.

The boxer has often been seen assisting Delay in selling her products, such as bread, during public events aimed at promoting her business.

Despite persistent rumours, Freezy Macbones continues to maintain that their relationship remains strictly platonic.

Source: Ghana Web

Former Black Stars midfielder Mubarak Wakaso showed off his vocal dexterity while singing Celine Dion’s song.

In a video sighted by GhanaWeb on TikTok, the former Espanyol player was in his singing element, feeling emotional and letting out his vocal cords while singing the Celine Dion globally-hit track, Faith.

Mubarak Wakaso is currently unattached and has been inactive since his loan spell at the Belgian side, Eupen.

He will be hoping to get back to playing active football soon by finding a club during the summer transfer window.

Due to his inactivity, Wakaso has been sidelined from the Black Stars, missing out on the team’s last two tournaments.

His last appearance for Ghana dates back to June 2022 when he featured in a four-nation tournament in Asia.

Source: Ghana Web

The beautifully decorated Democracy Cup trophy has been inspected by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in anticipation of the crucial match next week.

The eagerly awaited Democracy Cup match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, scheduled for Friday, July 5, 2024, is part of the celebrations marking 30 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana.

The Democracy Cup match, themed “30 Years of Parliamentary Democracy Under the 4th Republic: The Journey Thus Far,” aims to leverage football to engage citizens and promote broader participation in the legislative process.

On Thursday, June 27, 2024, the organizers of the one-off cup match presented the trophy to the Speaker of Parliament as a segment of the trophy tour.

The trophy is slated to be presented to prominent figures, including former presidents and some traditional leaders across the country.

In the meantime, both Hearts and Kotoko, following a challenging 2023-24 football season, have begun preparations for the Democra
cy Cup match. This event will feature a curtain-raiser game between Members of Parliament and former Black Star players.

Source: Ghana Web

Stakeholders in Ghana’s gaming industry have resolved to run sustainable businesses as part of ongoing efforts to give back to the communities they operate in and contribute to the country’s development.

This resolution emerged as the central theme at the Betway Regulatory Compliance Workshop organized by leading global online sports betting brand, Betway and the Ghana Association of Sports Betting Operators (GHASBO) on Thursday at the Mövenpick Hotel in Accra.

Speaking at the workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of the Gaming Commission, Peter Mireku, highlighted the significant growth in online gaming and the introduction of new technologies and services within the industry.

He mentioned the necessity for effective measures and continuous due diligence to mitigate fraud and legal risks.

“It is important that the industry begins to think about sustainability and how to give back and support the communities in which they operate,” Mr. Mireku stated.

“I say it is time to project and promote the positives
that this industry has made to the economy.”

Mr. Mireku also commended the leadership and members of the Ghana Association of Sports Betting Operators (GHASBO) and Betway for organizing the workshop and their ongoing collaboration with the Gaming Commission in areas such as compliance, taxation, and information sharing.

Mr. Solomon Tetteh Mensah, Chief Director of the Ministry of Interior, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of the workshop for industry growth. He praised GHASBO for their support to those affected by the Volta Dam spillage and urged all stakeholders to work together to improve player experience and implement measures to protect gamers, combat fraud and money laundering, and promote responsible gaming.

“The aim of the Ministry is to work with all stakeholders to enhance the business environment for gaming in Ghana and uphold responsible gaming practices across the country,” Mensah said. He challenged operators to adopt technologies that protect the digital gaming environmen
t, players, and data privacy.

Dr. Kweku Ainuson, Secretary General of GHASBO, cautioned against excessive regulation, warning it could drive gamers to use unlicensed platforms. He noted that some operators evade their tax obligations by making their online gaming platforms available in Ghana using VPNs and cryptocurrencies, which are not regulated in the country.

“If we say the gaming industry is growing too much, we will drive the gamers underground and rather send the money elsewhere,” Ainuson warned. “Today, we know that there are a lot of people betting on unregulated platforms which we call black sites. They are very sophisticated, and some use cryptocurrencies to place bets. Cryptocurrencies are not regulated in Ghana, and they use VPNs to place bets.”

The workshop brought together players in the gaming industry, including operators, regulators, service providers, media, and representatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Gaming Commission, fostering a collaborative effort to enhance the indust
ry’s contribution to national development.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghana international Tariq Lamptey has indicated that although his compatriot Ibrahim Osman is very young, he is a very good player.

In the 2024/25 football season, the two Ghanaian players will be teammates at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Speaking about the arrival of his national team teammate, Tariq Lamptey has been full of praise, describing Ibrahim Osman as a very good and hardworking player.

“You know, Ibrahim Osman is a really good player. He’s young, but he’s really good and hardworking, so I’m really excited to welcome him into the squad,” Tariq Lamptey said, as quoted by The Argus.

The Ghana defender continued, “We’ve already spoken about it at the last (Ghana) camp. He’s a good guy, and I think he’ll do well, so I’ll help him out. It’ll be good just to enjoy his football-that’s what it’s all about.”

In his debut season in England, Ibrahim Osman will have Tariq Lamptey by his side to help him settle in and feel at home.

Source: Ghana Web

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is initiating a bidding process for television broadcast rights following the conclusion of its contract with StarTimes.

This development marks a significant shift after StarTimes held exclusive rights for four years under a $5.25 million agreement signed in 2020.

While the details surrounding the termination of the contract remain undisclosed, both parties have amicably agreed to part ways.

StarTimes’ coverage spanned across key Ghanaian football events, encompassing the Ghana Premier League and FA Cup. Additionally, they produced match highlights for the Division One League, Women’s Premier League, and Women’s FA Cup.

With the door now open, the GFA is inviting proposals from StarTimes and other interested broadcasters, including DSTV and GTV.

This move presents a fresh opportunity for a new media partner to showcase Ghana’s premier domestic football competitions to a broader audience.

The bidding process signals the GFA’s intent to explore innovative broadcasting
arrangements that can enhance the visibility and accessibility of Ghanaian football both locally and internationally.

Source: Ghana Web