by Silas Boahene | Jul 29, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Upper East Region edged out Greater Accra Region 1-0 in the thrilling opener of Group B at the KGL Foundation Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship. Aduko Michael’s goal in the 15th minute secured the win for Upper East, despite a red card issued to Greater Accra’s Naff Sherif.
Upper East’s goalkeeper, Mensah Carlos, was named the Most Valuable Player for his outstanding performance.
In the second Group B match, Eastern Region claimed a 1-0 victory over Upper West Region, with Kwao Meshack scoring the decisive goal. Eastern Region’s Amos Opoku was honored as the MVP.
The tournament, aimed at scouting and nurturing young talent for Ghana’s national teams, is being broadcast live on various platforms.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 29, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Europe, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Ghana’s sports community was shaken this week by revelations that an 11-member team of alleged para-athletes traveled to Norway under false pretenses, claiming they were participating in the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon, only to abscond upon arrival in Oslo.
The scandal came to light through a letter from National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah on July 3, addressed to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and Youth and Sports. The letter revealed that the supposed para-athletes disappeared to other Schengen states after arriving in Norway on April 25.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Paralympic Committee-Ghana quickly distanced themselves from the incident. Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif denied any involvement in facilitating the group’s trip, labeling them a “fake team,” and criticized the Norwegian Embassy in Accra for failing to verify the team’s authenticity.
“The Norwegian authority which issued the visas to the athletes didn’t see it prudent to even verify from the ministry to see whether they were genuine athletes or not. So, to your question whether I take responsibility, I’m sorry I can’t,” Minister Ussif stated at a news conference.
Further complicating the situation, National Paralympic Committee-Ghana President Samson Deen revealed that two officials within the Paralympic Movement in Ghana were complicit in forging his signature and documents to secure visas for the team.
“We engaged, we checked, and we realized that the letter was written. They forged my signature, forged my letter, and applied for visas for some people who are not athletes,” Deen disclosed.
This scandal reveals a calculated fraud, particularly as the group did not register for the marathon. In response, the National Paralympic Committee-Ghana suspended Theodore Mawuli Viwotor and Ernest Yaw Ayisi of the Ernestay Foundation from all para-sports activities in Ghana and abroad.
Despite the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Paralympic Committee-Ghana denying involvement, there is a pressing need for thorough investigations to uncover the truth. This incident is part of a broader pattern of systemic fraud and mismanagement within Ghana’s sports sector.
Previous scandals, such as the 2009 incident where 25 able-bodied individuals posed as deaf footballers to attend a tournament in Australia, and more recent controversies like the 2018 Commonwealth Games visa scandal, underscore a persistent issue of deceit and negligence.
Recent years have seen additional scandals, such as the Anas Aremeyaw Anas-led Tiger Eye PI sting operation into football administration corruption, the 2018 Commonwealth Games visa scandal, and a case of impersonation involving unregistered players of Real Tamale United in their Ghana Premier League clash with Dreams FC. These incidents highlight a lack of integrity in Ghana’s sports and underscore the urgent need for authorities to address these issues decisively.
A lack of political will and decisive action by state agencies has fostered a culture of impunity, allowing fraudulent individuals to exploit the system without fear of repercussions.
The government’s response to such scandals has often been inadequate, with investigations leading to little or no significant legal action against culprits.
The unresolved 2018 Commonwealth Games visa scandal exemplifies this failure, with no substantial legal consequences for those involved. This lack of accountability has emboldened fraudsters, leading to repeated scandals that undermine the integrity of Ghanaian sports.
In response to the latest scandal, the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has urged the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to institute a bipartisan parliamentary probe into the incident involving fake para-athletes in Norway.
SWAG emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and ensure that the perpetrators face legal consequences. This action would serve as a deterrent to potential fraudsters and help restore faith in Ghana’s sports institutions.
The latest scandal is a call to action for all stakeholders in Ghanaian sports to commit to transparency, integrity, and accountability.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports and other relevant bodies must initiate comprehensive reforms in sports management and oversight to prevent future fraudulent activities.
Ghanaian sports, a source of national pride and unity, stand at a crossroads. These scandals highlight the urgent need for decisive action to restore integrity and faith in the nation’s sporting entities.
The future of Ghanaian sports depends on the commitment of leaders and stakeholders to uphold honesty and fairness, ensuring that the country’s athletes can compete on the global stage without the shadow of fraud and mismanagement.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 29, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey shared insights into his resilient mentality as he continues to deal with injury challenges throughout his football career.
Partey spoke after participating in a preseason friendly match between Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth, where Arsenal won 5-4 on penalties. Partey started the match and is expected to feature in Arsenal’s opening game of the 2024-2025 Premier League season against Wolves on August 17 at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite missing most of last season due to injuries, Partey made a strong return to help Arsenal finish just two points behind EPL champions Manchester City.
“It’s life. Things happen, and sometimes they are things you cannot control, but I have to keep going and keep fighting. Every time I fall, I have to get up and fight back. That’s the mentality I have. I also think that any time I can help the team, that is what I have to do,” Partey stated.
Partey’s injury struggles also kept him out of the 2023 AFCON in CĂ´te D’Ivoire. The former Atletico Madrid player emphasized that Arsenal needs to maintain confidence to compete with the best teams.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 29, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club head coach, Aboubakar Ouattara, emphasized his belief in prioritizing quality over quantity when it comes to player transfers. In a media briefing, he addressed questions about player recruitment, a key focus for the Hearts team following their 14th-place finish.
As Hearts prepare for preseason matches against Kpando Heart of Lions and Medeama SC, following a 2-1 loss to rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the Democracy Cup, Ouattara highlighted his approach to building the team.
The Ivorian coach stated that he values the quality of players and their specific positions over simply increasing numbers. He also clarified that former Hearts Board member Alhaji Akambi and current Board member Vincent Odotei-Sowah are not involved in player recruitment for the team.
“The number I need isn’t very important. It is the quality of the player and the position that I need. If I say I need 10 players, which place (position) are these 10 players going to play? I have my targets, first choice, second, and third according to the price on the market,” Ouattara explained.
Regarding the goalkeeping department, Ouattara specifically mentioned his need for two players in that position, underscoring his strategic approach to team building.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 29, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, International, Other Sports
Zimbabwe has denied reports that it sent a delegation of seven athletes and 67 officials to the Paris 2024 Olympics. According to Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) President Thabani Gonye, Team Zimbabwe consists of just 17 people, including both athletes and officials.
Gonye clarified that the delegation comprises seven athletes and eight officials, with himself and the Chief Executive Officer of the ZOC, Marlene Chiedza Gadzirayi, being the only non-technical officials on the team.
He noted that while many Zimbabweans are in Paris for various reasons, they are not part of the official delegation for the Games. “We are aware that there are many other technical officials, dignitaries invited to the games directly to officiate and as guests, and many other hundreds of Zimbabweans in Paris in various capacities, some to support our team at the Games, who as ZOC we can’t account and comment on,” Gonye said, as quoted by Chronicles Zimbabwe.
Gonye emphasized that these individuals are not part of Team Zimbabwe’s official delegation but are welcome to cheer on the athletes.
Athletes:
- Isaac Mpofu, Rutendo Nyahora (marathon)
- Stephen Cox (rowing)
- Tapiwa Makarawu, Makanakaishe Charamba (200m sprint)
- Denilson Cyprianos (swimming 200m backstroke)
- Paige van Der Westhuizen (100m freestyle)
Technical Officials:
- Chef de Mission – Ringisai Mapondera
- Admin and Welfare – Sipiwe Nyamande
- Physiotherapist – Abigail Mnikwa
- Track & Field Coach – Henry Tabarie
- Marathon Coach – Benson Chauke
- Swimming Coach – Masi Takaedza
- Rowing Coach – Franz Imfield
- Rowing Manager – Andrew Lorimer
