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MTN Ghana, the official headline sponsor of the senior national football team, the Black Stars, has extended its best wishes to the team ahead of their highly anticipated World Cup Group L encounter against England today.

Following the Black Stars’ impressive victory over Panama, MTN Ghana has commended the players, technical team and management for their dedication, resilience and determination, which have reignited the hopes of millions of Ghanaians.

As the team prepares to face one of the tournament’s strongest sides, MTN Ghana is calling on all Ghanaians to unite behind the Black Stars and demonstrate the unwavering support that has always characterised the nation’s love for football.

Commenting ahead of the match, Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, said, “The victory over Panama was a proud moment for Ghana and a reflection of the hard work, discipline, and team spirit of the Black Stars. As they prepare for the important challenge against England, we want them to know that the entire nation stands firmly behind them.”

“We wish the team every success and encourage all Ghanaians to continue supporting them as they carry our hopes and aspirations onto the world stage,” he added.

He stated that football remains a powerful force for national unity and inspiration, bringing together people from all walks of life in support of a common cause.

MTN Ghana remains committed to supporting sports development and nurturing talent across the country. As the official sponsor of the Black Stars, the company reaffirms its confidence in the team and wishes them the very best in their quest for success at the FIFA World Cup.

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Exchequers delivered a statement performance in Week 5 of the Salpholda Hockey League Men’s Division A, overpowering Army 6–2 to move to the summit of the standings.

The weekend round of games produced high drama as all four top sides, Exchequers, Army, Reformers, and GRA were locked on 9 points apiece heading into their respective fixtures.

Exchequers, who were leading the pack on goal difference, produced a commanding display against fellow unbeaten side, Army, in the headline fixture.

Exchequers’ Ebenezer Nortey struck the opener inside the first minute to register the second-fastest goal of the season, and from then on, they never looked back, suffocating Army with relentless pressure and clinical finishing.

Elikem Akaba scored twice, with Ryan Takyi, Shadrick Quarcoo, Daniel Bempah, and Amartey Joshua each adding a goal in a dominant display that saw Abdul Malik score twice to reduce the deficit for Army.

Exchequers goalkeeper, Benjamin Acquah, produced a clinical save from a penalty stroke in the closing stages to preserve the scoreline.

In the other Week 5 matches played, Africa Cup for Club Championship bronze medalists, GRA, showcased their quality with a 4–1 win over Hockey Is the Reason.

Ernest Obeng scored a brace, with Prince Okine and Peter Mantey also getting on the scoresheet, while Emmanuel Egyir grabbed the consolation goal.

Samuel Mensah and Ebenezer Arthur were in devastating form, each scoring four goals to help Police demolish the University of Ghana 8–0 in a one-sided encounter.

Reformers maintained their push with a solid 4–1 win over Legonknights, featuring a brace from Emmanuel Lamptey, while Emmanuel Boakye and Frederick Darko each scored a goal with Asante Kobby pulling one back for Legonknights.

With this win, Exchequers still lead the pack on 12 points with superior goals, ahead of GRA and Reformers, who sit second and third respectively also on 12 points, while Army is fourth with nine points.-Shesports360

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THE Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has urged Ghanaians to patronise locally processed food products to boost the capacities of local companies.

He said this was the only way by which the companies would be able to expand and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

Speaking during a working visit to local food processing company, P&A Africa Foods Limited at Medie in Accra on Friday, Mr Opoku indicated that local manufacturing is the way to go if the Ghanaian economy was to be resilient.

According to him, Ghana spends about US$3 billion annually on importation of food, saying, “That is hundreds of jobs exported because the more we patronise imported food products, the more financially strong the manufacturers become and the more they expand”.

He noted that Ghanaian processed foods on the market may be more expensive than their foreign counterparts but that may be due to demand and supply “so the more we buy food products made here in Ghana, they’ll be able to produce more and their prices will eventually fall”.

The minister said government, on its part, would support local manufacturing firms with the capital for them to expand and meet local and international demands.

Farmers, Mr Opoku pointed out, have produced and there have been occasional gluts and buying alone for homes would not be sufficient to off-take from the farmers, hence the need for agro-processing.  

“We are urging individuals with the capacity to go into processing and I’m happy to note that P&A foods has established a plant that can process maize, cassava, palm, eggs, and vegetables amongst others.

“This is laudable and part of the solution we are being faced with today in Ghana. We urge you to continue with the investment. We want to give you the assurance that the Ministry Of Food And Agriculture is with you and will do everything possible to help you expand,” he assured.

Managing Director of P&A, Richard Mainoo, requested of government to construct modern warehouses to enhance storage and reduce post-harvest losses.

“Adequate storage infrastructure is essential to ensuring stable supply of raw materials throughout the year and sustaining continuous production under a 24-hour operating model,” he noted.

He lauded government for the 24-hour economy policy stating that it presents a unique opportunity for agro-processing companies to expand adding that the company was ready to sign onto the policy to work around the clock.

P&A Africa Foods Limited, a wholly Ghanaian own company, employs about 100 persons and exports to the US, Canada, and Europe.

BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI

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Forty-Two local and foreign construction companies have submitted bids to construct the Keta Harbour Project, the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Major-General Paul Seidu Tanye Kulono, has disclosed.

According to him, four of the companies that demonstrates the ability, expertise and capacity to execute a sufficient job will be selected to undertake the project.

The Director General made this known last Thursday in Keta at a stakeholder engagement with communities to be affected by construction of the Keta Ports project.

The engagement sought to adequately brief the communities on progress made so far on preparation for implementation of the project and the opportunity for the residents to get answers to questions bordering the project.

He indicated that the board is set to go through the bids presented by the companies and would select the best four after verifying they have the capability, the ability and financial standing to execute the project.

Major General Tanye Kulonu explained that the Central Tender Committee has granted the requests for the valuation, assuring residents that the administration block for the project would be operational by January 2027. 

Major General Tanye Kulonu stated that the administration block for the Keta Port should have been completed in June 2026, but was delayed due to structural defects identified on the block.

The Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, urged the residents to have faith in the government and cooperate with the eventual contractors in order to ensure a smooth execution. 

The project, he indicated, would create jobs for the youth in the area towards addressing the high unemployment rate confronting the people of the region.

He said the port would not only serve as the third port of the country but as a transit port for land locked countries including Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso which would fetch the country additional revenue.

The Member of Parliament for Anlo, Richard Kwame Sefe, urged the youth to take up skills training opportunities so that they may be employed in the course of the construction of the port and after.

In attendance were the Municipal Chief Executives of Ketu South, Nicholas Worklachie; Mr Wisdom Sade, Keta; Sandra Kpedor of Anlo, the Chief of Kedzi Togbi, Joachim Acorlatse and other Chiefs from Ketu South, Civil Society Organisations and opinion leaders of the beneficiary communities.

FROM LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU, KETA

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American Olympic medalist and former world champion, Jenny Simpson, is receiving medical care at a hospital, the Sir Walter Running team has confirmed.

She collapsed during an event in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The 39-year-old was pacing a mile group during a community track event hosted by Sir Walter Running when she collapsed ⁠and required CPR.

An automated external defibrillator was also used before she was taken to hospital, local media reported.

“We are incredibly grateful to the individuals who responded immediately, as well as (the emergency medical services) and the medical professionals who handled the situation with such care, urgency and professionalism,” the Sir Walter Running team said in ‌a ⁠statement.

“Jenny is receiving excellent medical care, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this time.

“We also thank everyone who has reached out with concern and support. ⁠We ask that you continue to keep Jenny and her family in your thoughts.”

Simpson won gold in the 1,500 metres ⁠at the 2011 world championships and bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

She retired from competitive running ⁠in 2024. She also won silver medals in the 1,500 metres at the 2013 and 2017 world championships. Reuters

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The Black Stars were all energy and focus at the Bryant University on Saturday as they intensified preparations for their second Group L clash against England tomorrow.

Training at the Smithfield, Rhode Island campus, has been aggressive and upbeat, with head coach and technical staff putting the squad through high-intensity drills, tactical shape work, and set-piece routines.

Players were seen pushing each other during possession games, while the goalkeeping unit logged extra work after the main session.

Players know the stakes of facing England in Group L and the technical team is leaving nothing to chance. Sessions have balanced physical demand with tactical detail, especially on how to manage the threat of the Three Lions.

The Black Stars held two more sessions yesterday and today before tomorrow’s kickoff. With confidence high and competition for places fierce, the team looks determined to make a statement.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars goalkeeping coach, Daniel Gasper, says the technical team is extremely happy with the progress of Lawerence Ati-Zigi but insists any decision on his return will be made session by session and in the best interest of the team.

The St. Gallen goalkeeper hobbled off against Panama on Wednesday and was later replaced by Benjamin Asare at BMO-Stadium in Toronto. Ati-Zigi trained on Saturday ahead of Monday’s FIFA World Cup clash with England at the Boston Stadium.

Speaking to ghanafa.org Gasper stressed that Carlos Queiroz and the medical department are optimistic and a decision will be made at the right time.

 “We’re optimistic, and the decision will be made at the right time. But one thing for sure — we always stress team above individual. Any decision we make is in the best interest of the team,” he indicated.

Ghana has four goalkeepers in camp for the World Cup, a decision Gasper previously explained is to manage training load during Queiroz’s finishing and crossing sessions.

The Black Stars face England in Boston tomorrow, knowing a good result would put them in strong position to qualify from Group L after Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Panama.

Gasper added that competition in the department remains competitive yet positive with all four keepers responding well to the daily challenge of being better than the day before.

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Madam Belinda Bukari, the Acting National Director of Special Olympics Ghana (SOG), has appealed to the Ministry of Sports and government to invest and support the organisation to nurture talents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Madam Belinda Bukari made the appeal at the closing ceremony of a five-day National Advancement Special Olympics Games at Twin-City Special School, Sofokrom, near Sekondi in the Western Region. 

The event featured special teams from special schools across all 16 regions and was hosted by the Western Region under the theme: ‘Celebrating the Child with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Through Sports.’ 

Madam Bukari, who is also at the Special Education Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in Accra, said harnessing the talents of special children would contribute to national development and project Ghana’s image positively. 

“The special children are endowed with talents in football, athletics, dancing and drawing which they do with perfection,” she added. 

In this regard, she appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and the National Sports Authority (NSA) for financial and technical assistance for the athletes’ camping, feeding and lodging. 

According to her, eight best athletes selected from across the 16 regions would represent Ghana at the international Special Olympics Games in Santiago, Chile in 2027. 

Madam Bukari said the special children also required support to prepare well and make Ghana proud, just as the Black Stars were doing at the ongoing World Cup. 

She acknowledged Special Olympics Ghana, Ghana Education Service, UNICEF Ghana, FET Mining, ROBB Foundation and James Spare Parts for sponsoring the event. 

On unified football, Madam Bukari advised players to keep training as Ghana would feature in the international special football competition in Paraguay in 2028. 

Mr Michael Aryeh, a Board Member of Special Olympics Ghana, who chaired the event, lauded the learners and coaches for their participation and urged the selected talents to keep training. 

Mr Dennis Wise, Technical Director of Special Olympics Ghana, thanked coaches and athletes for their preparation and noted that despite vehicle challenges, all regions managed to transport learners to the event. –GNA

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Stakeholders have called for sustained investment and stronger partnerships to improve sickle cell care in the country, as thousands of patients continue to face challenges in accessing diagnosis, treatment and long-term support.

They emphasised that tackling the disease burden would require a coordinated national response backed by sustainable financing, research, public awareness and improved healthcare services.

The call was made at the Third Annual International Sickle Cell Disease Conference organised by the International Sickle Cell Centre (ISCC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and development partners, to mark World Sickle Cell Day in Accra last Friday.

The conference, on the theme: ‘The Current State of Sickle Cell Disease in Ghana: Progress Made, Challenges Faced and the Way Forward,’ brought together health professionals, researchers, policymakers, development partners, patient groups and advocates to deliberate on the burden of the disease and strategies to improve care.

In a keynote address, the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, described sickle cell disease as one of the most common inherited disorders in Ghana and a major public health concern.

He said about 18,000 children were born with the condition each year, with many affected persons experiencing recurrent pain crises, disruptions in education and employment, and significant financial burdens associated with treatment.

Dr Akoriyea explained that the impact of the disease extended beyond individuals and families, affecting productivity, education, mental well-being and placing pressure on the health system.

He noted that although Ghana had made progress through the development of a national sickle cell disease strategy and case management guidelines, several challenges persisted.

 These included late diagnosis, limited access to newborn screening and genetic counselling, as well as high out-of-pocket costs for families.

Dr Akoriyea, however, gave the assurance that the GHS was strengthening the integration of sickle cell services into primary healthcare to improve access to screening, counselling, routine monitoring and referral services nationwide.

The Group Executive Chairman of the Tobinco Group of Companies, Dr Samuel Amo Tobbin, underscored the need to treat sickle cell disease as a national development issue rather than a charitable cause.

He said if the condition was recognised as a national public health priority, then the response must be collective and not left solely to government, civil society organisations or affected families.

Dr Tobbin further urged Corporate Ghana to move beyond occasional donations and commit to long-term investments in patient support, research, awareness creation and access to essential medicines.

The Presidential Special Envoy to the Caribbean Region, Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, called for increased public awareness and wider uptake of genotype testing, particularly before marriage and family planning decisions.

He also stressed the need for governments and development partners to back discussions on sickle cell disease with concrete budgetary allocations.

Mr Darkwah observed that the disease had long been neglected in global health priorities, often receiving inadequate funding and being burdened by stigma.

He underscored the importance of increased investment in prevention, care and research to reduce the disease burden and improve outcomes for patients.

BY ABIGAIL ANNOR

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The Ho West District Assembly has equipped 64 persons living with various forms of disabilities with tools and financial support to enable them to become self-reliant.

The beneficiaries received items including freezers, ‘fufu’ pounding machines, cassava grinding machines, industrial sewing machines and wheelchairs.

Others were given financial assistance to support their education or to start small businesses.

At a presentation ceremony on Friday, the Volta Regional Director of Social Welfare, Mrs Stella Agbezuhlor Mawutor, commended the Ho West District Assembly for effectively utilising the disability component of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).

She explained that the government support for persons with disabilities through the assemblies was aimed at empowering them to achieve economic independence.

 She, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items to improve their living conditions.

Mrs Mawutor advised them to value the support received as the beginning of a new phase in their lives, stressing that they should not see themselves as objects of pity.

With the assistance provided, she noted that they were expected to reduce dependency on others and refrain from begging.

She also expressed concern about the reluctance of some parents to register children with disabilities at the assemblies.

She said such registration was important as it would enable the government to determine their numbers and plan effectively for their welfare.

The Ho West District Chief Executive, Mr Francis Profer Duse, appealed to the beneficiaries to cultivate a strong maintenance culture and ensure the effective use of the items and funds to enhance their livelihoods.

He explained that the items were procured from the three per cent allocation of the DACF dedicated to persons with disabilities, adding that the government remained committed to improving their living conditions across the country. 

The Ho West District Director of Social Welfare, Mr Prince Semabia, said a monitoring system had been put in place to ensure that the beneficiaries used the support effectively.

He added that the Social Welfare Department in the district continued to educate parents on the importance of registering children with disabilities, expressing hope that those who had not yet done so would take advantage of the opportunity to be recognised and supported by the assembly.

FROM SAMUEL AGBEWODE, DZOLOKPUITA

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