Category: Athletic

With barely 24hours to the regional elections of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) in the Ashanti Region, the Tertiary Students Confederacy(TESCON) has called for an audit of the voters’ album.

The student group said non-students have been smuggled into the TESCON album.

At an emergency press confab at the Catering Rest House in Kumasi on Friday, May 27, 2022, the TESCON leaders claim the album to be used for the election tomorrow should be rejected.

According to them, 35 names have been smuggled into the TESCON album.

“Infact, after thorough scrutiny, 35 anomalies have been detected in their album, ie: many of the supposed delegates are not students of the said schools, some are past TESCON members who are no more in the school and others totally unknown to TESCON. Many ghost names are found in the album.

“As we speak, we have received names of people who are not members of TESCON, some of which are nurses and former students.”

They alleged some non-member institutions have suddenly found their way into the album with assigned delegates.

“Members of the media, the following institutions have emerged as unaccredited TESCON institutions but have found their way into the album with assigned delegates:

1. Newman College of Health

2.

3. Kessben Adum campus

4.

5. Global College of Aviation

6.

7. Oxford School of Journalism

8.

9. Ghana Baptist University College, Abuakwa.

10.

“However, Kumasi Nursing and Midwifery training college which they claim is accredited has been excluded,” they intimated.

They emphasised, “Based on this we wholly reject the supposed delegates list, it is not credible, it is fraudulent and not a true representation of the TESCON. We request that those of our leaders of TESCON who have so far been meeting with aspirants, and based on the established convention since 2010 be reinstated as the delegates to the Regional conference come tomorrow, Saturday, 2022.

Source: Modern Ghana

Takoradi, May 27, GNA – The Ghana Health Service has launched an Integrated Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Project to help in the fight against neglected tropical conditions including lymphatic filariasis and Onchocerciasis .

The Integrated Mass Drug Administration, to be carried out nationwide, would begin from May 28 to June 12.

It will provide a single dose medication to all eligible individuals once or twice a year and implemented over three to seven years, to significantly control the burden of such conditions.

Dr Afez Adam Taher, the Chairperson, Ghana Intra Country Coordinating Committee for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Ministry of Health, who launched the project in Takoradi, said human onchocerciasis – river blindness was a disease of the skin and eye caused by a parasitic worm in fast-flowing rivers and streams.

As part of a process of eliminating Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis by 2030, he explained that this year’s Mass Drug Administration targets 77 oncho-endemic districts to reach out to about 12.6 million people.

It also envisions reaching four lymphatic filariasis endemic districts, targeting 440,000 people.

Dr Taher said the disease was endemic in 31 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Yemen, adding that Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease.

Infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.

He explained that the infection was usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system and later years causing elephantiasis and scrotal swelling with mental, social and financial losses contributing to stigma and poverty.

Dr Taher said since 2013, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had verified three countries in Latin America as free of human onchocerciasis but unfortunately, Ghana was still endemic for the disease, which was one of the 14 NTDs in the country.

Meanwhile, the World Health Assembly Resolution 50.29 encouraged Member States to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.

In response, the WHO launched its Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in 2000 with key components including stopping the spread of infection through large-scale annual treatment of all eligible people in an area where infection is present; and alleviating the suffering it caused through the provision of the recommended essential package of care.

“Preventing and controlling NTDs is central to ending extreme poverty in the next two decades. Onchocerciasis/river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, two of the NTDs can be targeted through a highly effective integrated community treatment approach using drugs that have been proven safe and effective and which can be delivered by trained non-health personnel,” Dr Taher said.

He, therefore, encouraged all eligible persons to avail themselves for the immunisation to fight against Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, describing the drug as safe.

Dr Joyce Aryee, the Ambassador for such conditions, said the drugs were not deleterious but life saving and efficacious to protect one against the condition.

She called on the media to educate the public on the process for more people to participate in the two-week exercise.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, May 26, GNA – Accra Hearts of Oak Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Bechem United’s Augustine Okrah were the only two local-based players called up to the senior national team, the Black Stars.

Ghana Black Stars Coach Otto Addo on Thursday named a 33-man squad for Ghana’s 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and the Central African Republic as well as the four-nation tournament in Japan.

Barnieh who was adjudged the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) home-based footballer of the year (2021), makes his way back into the team and has received a couple of call ups in the past.

Despite Hearts of Oak struggling in the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League, the 20-year-old striker has been one of the most influential players for the Phobians and has bagged some important goals in recent games.

The former Madina Republicans attacker also led Ghana’s national men’s U-20 team- the Black Satellites, to win the Africa Youth Championship in Mauritania back in 2021.

Okrah, on the other hand, has had a remarkable season for Bechem United in the ongoing Ghana Premier League and has been handed his maiden call to the Black Stars.

The former Kotoko player has bagged 13 goals in the league so far, propelling the “Hunters” into the third spot on the league table.

The Black Stars would take on Madagascar on Wednesday, June 1, before taking on the Central African Republic four days later.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, May 26, GNA – Otto Addo Head Coach of the Black Stars of Ghana, has named his final 33-man squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers set to take place in Cote d’ Ivoire next year.

The squad, which features two local players, Augustine Okrah of Bechem United and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh of Accra Hearts of Oak and 31 other foreign based players would begin training in the coming days to face Madagascar on Monday, May 30 before taking on Central African Republic.

Ghanaian midfielder, Thomas Partey missed out on the squad due to late recovery from an injury he picked during his side’s clash against Crystal Palace, whiles Alexander Djiku also missed the call-up this time round.

The list includes Antoine Semenyo and debutants Braydon Manu, Alidu Seidu who would help Ghana to qualify to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament and also partake in a pre-World Cup tournament as part of preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Herein the squad

Goalkeepers: Joseph Wollacot (Swindon Town), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen ( Kas Eupen), Lawrence Ati Zigi (FC St. Gallen), Richard Ofori ( Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Alidu Seidu ( Clermont Foot), Gideon Mensah (Girondins Bordeaux), Abdul Rahman Baba (FC Reading), Abdul Mumin ( Vitoria Guimaraes), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew)

Midfielders: Iddrissu Baba (RCD Mallorca), Edmund Addo ( FC Sheriff), Elisha Owusu ( KAA Gent), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Daniel Kofi Kyereh ( FC St. Pauli), Mubarak Wakaso ( Shenzhen FC)

Wingers: Joseph Paintsil (KRC Genk), Andre Ayew ( Al-Sadd SC), Augustine Okrah (Bechem United), Osman Bukari (FC Nentes), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Sporting Lisbon), Kamaldeen Sulemana ( Stade Rennes), Yaw Yeboah (Columbus Crew), Christopher Antwi Agyei (VFL Bochum)

Strikers: Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Daniel Afriyie ( Accra Hearts of Oak), Felix Afena Gyan- (AS Roma), Kwesi Okyere Wriedt, Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Benjamin Tetteh (Yeni Malatyaspor), Brayon Manu (SV Darmstadt).

Source: Ghana News Agency

England U-21 coach, Lee Carsley has revealed Brighton and Hove Albion right-back, Tariq Lamptey asked to be left out of the England Under-21 squad because he is weighing up his international future.

The 21 year old was due to be in the Young Lions’ selection for their upcoming four Euro qualifiers against the Czech Republic, Albania, Kosovo, and Slovenia.

The former Chelsea academy graduate has represented England, the country of his birth, at different age groups below senior level. He has made two appearances for the under-21s.

Young Lions boss Lee Carsley revealed: “There’s an issue over his dual nationality. He’s had an approach. It’s something he’s considering at the minute.

“He’s asked to be left out of the squad for a bit of headspace. He’s not switched, it’s not cemented or anything like that.

“But he’s had an approach (from Ghana), we have to respect that.

“We’ve made it clear how important we see him to us. I know the seniors have as well.

“It’s not something that we’ve given up on. Tariq is fully aware of how important we see him.”

Carsley added: “I’ve definitely got to give him a bit of space now. We’ve got a squad of players there that are desperate to play for England.

“I wouldn’t want to leave one out to bring one in that’s unsure, I don’t think that’s fair.

“But the opposite to that is Tariq is a big player for us and we see a real future for him within the pathway, so I’ll definitely be going back to him.

“He would be a big loss. We do have some really good right-backs but that doesn’t mean we should become blasé about our players.

“We see Tariq as an important player for not potentially only the senior team but the 21s as well.”

Carsley added: “One thing we don’t want to do is force people to play for England.

Lamptey provided two assists in his 30 appearances for Brighton and Hove Albion in the just ended English Premier League season.

Lamptey, signed from Chelsea in January 2020, qualifies for Ghana through his parents.

Source: Modern Ghana

AS Roma manager, Jose Mourinho has revealed the reason behind his decision to buy Ghanaian youngster, Felix Afena-Gyan a pair of Balenciaga sneakers.

After making his debut against Cagliari in November last year, the 19-yea-old hogged the headlines with his brace against Genoa.

Mourinho honored his promise by getting him the pair of sneakers but revealed that the actions of his teammates propelled him to get Afena-Gyan the shoes.

The Portuguese gaffer disclosed that Afena-Gyan was constantly mocked by his teammates for coming around with fake trainers all the time.

The former Chelsea boss added that forced him to strike deal with the youngster by promising to get him his adored sneakers if he scores in the Serie A.

“He was there, he didn’t have a contract and he was coming all the time with fake trainers and all the guys there were having fun with him,” Mourinho told BT Sports.

“The moment he came here and the moment he scored a winning goal, I had to say: Felix, it’s time for the guys to stop bullying you, so let’s buy a proper pair of shoes,” he added.

“Now he signs a contract, he goes to Ghana national team and he has fun with the other guys because the other guys are not going to the World Cup, but he is. So at this moment, things are changing.”

Afena-Gyan and his teammates are currently in Tirana, Albania ahead of the final of the Europa Conference League against Feyenoord.

Source: Modern Ghana

Asante Kotoko head coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum has expressed his worry over the club’s poor home record.

The Porcupine Warriors in the matchday 30 games were shocked at their own turf on Sunday.

Kotoko welcomed Berekum Chelsea to the Baba Yara Stadium and after 90 minutes of action, 10-men Chelsea pipped the side by a lone goal.

Kelvin Obeng scored in the 80th minute to seal all three points for the Berekum-based side.

Before the defeat to Chelsea over the weekend, Prosper Ogum’s side had suffered a 3-1 defeat to Legon Cities and a 1-1 draw with Aduana Stars.

After a successive poor display at home, which has raised some eyebrows, head coach, Narteh Ogum has demanded more from his players.

“When you play at home definitely you need to try as much as possible to double your effort because the opponents are coming to play ‘Kotoko’ and you know every team coming to play Kotoko comes with triple efforts.

“Apart from that, there are some few issues of injuries here and there. Most of the players are not really well, which shouldn’t be the case because once you are selected to come and play, you have to be able to deliver.

“So apart from these injury issues, I don’t think we should have any issues about how we play at home.”

Ogum Narteh however commended Berekum Chelsea for a resolute defensive performance.

“I think when you’re playing at home, you need to show a lot of urgency. Somewhere in the first half, I think we tried as much as possible to keep the ball high up their area to create those spaces around them.

“They had a solid defense trying to block those final passes into those spaces which made it very difficult for us to actually have clear chances at goal.”

Source: Modern Ghana

The Black Stars’ technical team have held a meeting in London to discuss the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Ghana has been paired in the same group with Madagascar, Angola, and the Central African Republic (CAR) in the qualifiers for the tournament, which will be hosted by the Ivory Coast next year.

The Black Stars will open their campaign with a home game against Madagascar on June 1 at the Cape Coast Stadium before taking on CAR four days later.

Ahead of the two games, Otto Addo, technical director Chris Hughton and assistant coach George Boateng converged in England to discuss about the call-up for the games.

After the AFCON qualifiers, Ghana will immediately begin its preparation for the 2022 World Cup with a four-nation tournament that includes Japan, Chile, and Tunisia.

Dubbed the 2022 Kirin Super Cup, the tournament will be hosted by Japan from Friday, June 10, 2022, to Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

A statement from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in April said the Black Stars will face hosts Japan in their opening game while Tunisia also takes on Chile.

The winners of both matches will then clash in the final four days later, with the losers also facing off for the third and fourth places.

Ghana qualified for the World Cup in March following a 1-1 aggregate scoreline against rivals Nigeria in a two-legged playoff in March.

The Black Stars drew goalless with the Super Eagles in Kumasi before securing a 1-1 draw far away in Abuja to qualify on away goals.

Otto Addo’s side has since been paired in a tricky Group H of the World Cup, alongside Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association [GFA] on Tuesday night confirmed that Otto Addo, George Boateng, Didi Dramani, and Chris Hughton have been maintained for the Black Stars job until December 2022.

Source: Modern Ghana