FIFA commiserates with Ghana over death of former Head of State Jerry Rawlings

The world's football governing body, FIFA, has written to the Ghana Football Association to mourn the death of the country's former Head of State Ft. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.

H.E Rawlings died on Thursday, 12 November 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching hospital in Accra at age 73.

Unconfirmed reports in the Ghanaian capital claims he died of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

A letter signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary-General Fatma Samoura read: ''It was with emotion and sadness that we learned of the passing of His Excellency Jerry Rawlings, former President of the Republic of Ghana.

''Tributes are flowing from the African continent and elsewhere to salute his memory, and we would like herewith to join them.

''As President over the destiny of Ghana from 1993 to 2001, statesman recognized for his passion, discipline and values, charismatic leader having liberalised Ghana's economy, encouraging investment in key economic sectors, H.E Jerry Rawlings will not be forgotten.

''On behalf of the members of the international football community, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Ghana Football Association, to your government, and to the Ghanaian people in these difficult times.''

ghanasoccernet

MTN, Ghana’s leading Telecommunications Company is set to host the 30th edition of MTN Business World Executive Breakfast Meeting on November 20, 2020 under the theme Redefining Education in the Age of the New Normal.

The 30th MTN Business Breakfast Meeting and the final for the year 2020 will be held virtually, streaming live on MTN Ghana’s Facebook page (mtnghana) and on YouTube (@mtnghana) from 10:0am.

In an era where social distancing, online business, education and transactions are becoming the norm, many are still hopeful that things will return to normal. To shed light on the theme and insights on the new forms of accessing education and the sustainability of same after the pandemic, seasoned professionals in the education space will speak to the theme.  Anis Haffar, an Educationist & Founder GATE Institute, Dr. Heather Beem- CEO, Practical Education Network, Ashesi University, Christa Elise Sanders Bobtoya, Campus Director, Webster University, Ghana and Dr. Peter Amoako Yirenkyi- Senior Lecturer- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology will share their experiences and insights on the theme. 

In his remarks ahead of the 30th MTN Business Breakfast Meeting, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr. Noel Kojo-Ganson said, “We have all made great strides in ensuring the sustainability of our livelihoods during this pandemic, central to this has been education, which has been mainly possible through digital means. MTN Ghana realizing the urgent need for virtual classrooms to ensure continuity and accessibility to education, zero-rated over 200 educational websites to promote learning”. “The question remains whether the strides achieved and the measures put in place during this pandemic are fit for the future?  “We are confident our distinguished panelists will delve into that and with your contributions we can better understand what the future holds for education in Ghana”, he added.

Mr. Kojo -Ganson, encouraged all stakeholders, particularly those in the business of education and policy makers to be a part of the 30th edition of the MTN Business World Executive Breakfast Meeting.

About MTN Ghana

MTN Ghana is the market leader in the increasingly competitive mobile telecommunications industry in Ghana, offering subscribers a range of exciting options under Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go Services and Mobile Financial Services. The company has committed itself to delivering reliable and innovative services that provide value for subscribers in Ghana’s telecommunications market. Since its entry into Ghana in 2006, MTN has continuously invested in expanding and modernizing its network in order to offer superior services to a broad expanse of the nation.

About MTN Business World Executive Breakfast Meeting

The MTN Business Executive Breakfast series running in its seventh year, is the leading thought leadership and networking platform for Ghanaian business executives and entrepreneurs attracting over 800 executives annually.

It has hosted a number of international, motivational and business leaders including: Mac Attram, Robin Banks, Brian Tracy, Siya Xuza, Elikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Jason Njoku, Sharon Lechter, Mr Yaw Nsarkoh, Rosa Whitaker and quite recently Ian Russel.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Stars captain Andre Ayew has dedicated Ghana’s win against Sudan to Jerry John Rawlings as he notes that players fought hard to get the result to honour the deceased former President.

The founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) passed on Thursday hours before the Black Stars faced off with their counterpart from Sudan in the qualifiers to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

At the end of 90 minutes at the Cape Coast Stadium, a brace from Andre Ayew handed Ghana a 2-0 win against Sudan.

Speaking after the game, the Swansea City star says the team dedicates the win to the decease former president Jerry John Rawlings.

“I think we fought hard to get a win in honour of His Excellency J.J Rawlings. We know the history and his contribution to the growth of Ghana so the win is dedicated to him,” Andre Ayew said in a post-match interview.

The attacker continued, “These are hard times for the family but we wish them well. May God comfort and bless them.”

The entire country continues to mourn the former president with clubs extending their condolences to the family of Jerry John Rawlings.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Stars skipper Andre Ayew scored a brace on Thursday evening to lead Ghana to an emphatic 2-0 win against Sudan in the qualifiers to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament at the Cape Coast Stadium.

The captain opened the scoring for the Black Stars in the 18th minute when he beautifully curled in a free-kick from the edge of the Sudan 18-yard box into the back of the net.

In the final minutes of the first half, the Ghana captain scored with a headed effort but it was ruled out after the referee for the day signaled for an infringement.

Later in the second half where the home team continued to dominate play, the in-form Swansea City star Andre Ayew scored with a thunderbolt strike from range in the 80th minute after receiving a pass from midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey.

Ghana is on top of Group C of the qualifiers to the 2021 AFCON with 9 points.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mubarak Wakaso wins Chinese Super Liga with Jiangsu Suning

Stupendous Ghana midfielder Mubarak Wakaso is a champion following his swashbuckling performance for Jiangsu Suning in their 2-1 away win over Guangzhou FC in the Chinese Super Liga play-off final.

The game which was played on Thursday morning was keenly contested at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium but the visitors stole the win.

Goals from Italian striker Eder Martins and Brazilian star Alex Teixeira catapulted the Blue and Yellows to the trophy as Wei Shihao’ 61st minute drive was not enough for the home side.

The first leg of the encounter played at the same venue ended in a goalless stalemate but Wakaso and his charges lifted their game to be crowned champions.

Wakaso lasted the entire duration of the game, marshalling the midfield for the home side in a fiercely contested clash.

The Ghanaian was applauded by his team mates for his work rate and marvelous display of determination.

Wakaso was expected to be in the Ghana national team for the 2022 AFCON Qualifier with Sudan but could not turn up due to the play-off final with Guangzhou FC.

The former Villarreal midfielder will miss the first leg of the double header clash with Sudan at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium this afternoon..

The Black Stars will be welcoming their Sudanese counterparts in their third game of the 2022 AFCON qualifier at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium without the experienced midfielder

Wakaso will, however, be available for the second leg of the clash which comes off five days later after the first leg in Cape Coast.

The former Deportivo Alaves star was in action on Sunday night as Jiangsu Suning FC were held at home by Guangzhou Evergrande to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Chinese Super League Championship play-off final on Sunday.

The Ghana international was handed his 16th league start at Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre and delivered fine performances to help his side avoid a defeat.

He is expected to travel to Ghana by Sunday to join his team mates for the trip to Sudan for the second leg of the clash.

ghanasoccernet

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) today agreed to increase the budget of Olympic Solidarity for the period 2021 to 2024 by 16 per cent. The budget for 2021-2024 will now total USD 590 million. With this decision, the IOC will further strengthen its support to athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and Continental Associations of NOCs.

“One important lesson that I hope we have all learnt from the current Corona crisis is that we need more solidarity. We need more solidarity within societies, but also among societies. Solidarity is one of the key Olympic values which the Olympic community is actively promoting. Today’s decision to increase the budget of our Olympic Solidarity programme for the next four-year cycle by 16 per cent to USD 590 million is a very strong demonstration in times of a worldwide crisis,” IOC President Thomas Bach said.

“At 25 per cent, the increase in the funding of direct athlete support programmes is even higher than the overall increase. Additionally, the athletes as members of the Olympic teams will benefit from the 25 per cent increase for NOCs. The IOC continues to help all NOCs, particularly those with the greatest needs and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, through a wide range of programmes prioritising athletes’ development, and the training and education of their entourage.”

25 per cent increase for athlete support programmes

Presented by EB Member and Chair of the Olympic Solidarity Commission Robin Mitchell, the 2021–2024 Olympic Solidarity plan is fit for purpose in the post-coronavirus world, meaning that all funding and programmes go as a priority to Olympic Solidarity’s direct beneficiaries: the athletes and the NOCs.

Olympic Solidarity’s athletes’ programmes touch on every aspect of an athlete’s lifecycle, from grassroots level to elite and to post-career, and will remain at the heart of Olympic Solidarity’s sports development priorities.

To ensure that more opportunities and Olympic scholarships are available to athletes, the Olympic Solidarity budget allocated to athlete support programmes has been increased by 25 per cent for the next quadrennial.

It was also pointed out during the meeting that the decentralisation of a portion of the funds to the Continental Associations should be reinforced in order to develop sustained programmes responding to continental specificities. To that end, the budget allocated to each NOC for its national activities has been increased to the equivalent of USD 500,000 per NOC per Olympiad, and continent-specific programme budgets have been increased by 24 per cent.

The priorities of Olympic Solidarity for 2021-2024 are as follows:

- Empower NOCs to keep athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement through increased support to athletes for development at all levels, facilitating engagement through forums and exchanges, strengthening opportunities for the athletes’ entourage to play effective support roles, and ensuring that the provisions of the Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration can be implemented by the NOCs.

- Ensure good governance, financial control and compliance by strengthening capacity-building programmes for NOCs.

- Strengthen the Olympic Movement’s solidarity funding model by prioritising the principal Olympic Solidarity mission of focusing on NOCs with the greatest needs and ensuring effective communication of all streams of Olympic Solidarity funding by the NOCs.

- Align with the IOC’s strategy for the post-coronavirus world with the enhancement of dedicated Olympic Solidarity programmes to facilitate the NOCs’ participation in future Olympic and Youth Olympic Games, and by providing online education, advocacy and training opportunities for NOCs.

- Enable NOCs to contribute to the promotion of the Olympic values by aligning Olympic Solidarity programmes with the IOC’s strategy, lending support to refugee athletes and facilitating the participation of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

- Provide individualised services to NOCs by means of targeted and direct support to 206 unique organisations through guaranteeing the minimum funding available for each NOC and reinforcing decentralised Continental Programmes responding to continental specificities.

- And finally, to introduce a robust monitoring, evaluation and learning framework for all Olympic Solidarity programmes.

2017–2020 Olympic Solidarity highlights

In the framework of the 2017-2020 quadrennial plan, over 25,000 athletes were supported through Olympic Solidarity, including 3,000 summer and winter sports athletes who were awarded Olympic scholarships for their preparation for the upcoming Games. As a reference, at the Olympic Games Rio 2016, 101 medals were awarded to athletes who were Olympic scholarship-holders (33 gold, 26 silver and 42 bronze).

IOC distributed USD 5 billion during the past Olympiad for the development of sport

The IOC distributes 90 per cent of all its revenues for the benefit of the athletes and the development of sport and Paralympic sport around the globe. With this solidarity funding model, the equivalent of USD 5 billion was distributed during the past Olympiad, or 3.4 million USD per day. This financial support benefits not just a few countries or a few sports. It benefits all the athletes from all 206 NOCs, from the IOC Refugee Olympic Team and from all Olympic sports, whether popular or less popular, thereby ensuring true universality and diversity of the Olympic Games and within the Olympic community. The Olympic Solidarity programme is one of those through which the IOC’s revenue is distributed.

The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit independent international organisation made up of volunteers, which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of 3.4 million US dollars goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world

IOC

Ghana coach Charles Akonnor has named Kotoko defender Christopher Nettey for the youngster's debut in his severely depleted starting line-up to face Sudan on Thursday in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Several returnees will also be starting the match that kicks-off at 1600GMT as the Black Stars boss has sturggled to put together his favourite starting team.

Defender John Boye is joined in the starting line up with Baba Rahman and Afriyie Acquah in the Black Stars team to play the Nile Crocodiles in the match at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Also making the starting line-up is midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey who plays for French side Amiens.

Two players - who impressed in the recent Black Stars friendlies against Qatar and  Mali - Alexander Djiku and Tarique Fosu regain their places in the starting line up as Akonnor seeks some experienced players to stop the East Africans.

However experienced players in the side goalkeeper Richard Ofori, captain Andre Ayew and his brother Jordan will start the match to inject the much needed experience in the game.

The Black Stars coach has been forced to make do with the squad because of injuries, withdrawals and the outright decision of European clubs not to release players for the match.

With Ofori starting in posts, he will be protected at the heart of the defence by John Boye and Alex Djiku who impressed in the previous matches for the Black Stars.

Kotoko youngster Nettey get the chance to start the match from the right-back because players pencilled to compete with him for that position like Harrision Afful were not released by their clubs.

On the left side of the defence Chelsea star Baba Rahman get to start becasue Jeff Schlupp failed to turn up at the camp while Gideon Mensah could not travel because he has not been released by his club because of ailment.

In central midfield Acquah partners Lomotey who get the chance to play becasue all midfielders called like Mubarak Wakaso and Thomas Partey are not available.

Ghana, coached by Charles Akonnor, have so far made a perfect start to their qualification campaign and sit atop the group, beating both South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in November last year.

Their opponents on Thursday come in the form of Sudan, who have clinched a resounding 4-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe, as well as a loss at the hands of South Africa, who are just above them in the group with a better head-to-head record.

If Ghana make it three wins from three, they could qualify for a ninth straight Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Sudan will be looking to cause an upset and improve upon their chances of making the tournament for the first time since 2012.

Starting line-up

Richard Ofori, Christopher Nettey, Baba Rahman, John Boye, Alexander Djiku, Afriyie Acquah, Emmanuel Lomotey, Samuel Owusu, Tarique Fosu, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew.

ghanasoccernet.com

Former President, Jerry John Rawlings has passed on.

He died in the early hours of Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

This was confirmed to Citi News by sources close to the family of the former President.

Jerry John Rawlings buried his mother Madam Victoria Agbotui in October 2020.

Madam Agbotui died at the age of 101.

About Jerry John Rawlings

Jerry John Rawlings was born June 22, 1947.

He was a former military leader and subsequent politician who ruled Ghana from 1981 to 2001 and also a brief period in 1979.

He led a military junta until 1992, and then served two terms as the democratically elected President of Ghana.

Rawlings initially came to power in Ghana as a flight lieutenant of the Ghana Air Force following a coup d’état in 1979.

Prior to that, he led an unsuccessful coup attempt against the ruling military government on 15 May 1979, just five weeks before scheduled democratic elections were due to take place.

After initially handing power over to a civilian government, he took back control of the country on 31 December 1981 as the Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

In 1992, Rawlings resigned from the military, founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first President of the Fourth Republic. He was re-elected in 1996 for four more years.

After two terms in office, the limit according to the Ghanaian Constitution, Rawlings endorsed his Vice-President John Atta Mills as presidential candidate in 2000.

Education and military career

Rawlings finished his secondary education at Achimota College in 1967.

He joined the Ghana Air Force shortly afterwards.

In March 1968, he was posted to Takoradi, in Ghana’s Western Region, to continue his studies.

He graduated in January 1969, and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer, winning the coveted “Speed Bird Trophy” as the best cadet in flying the Su-7 ground attack supersonic jet aircraft as he was skilled in aerobatics.

He earned the rank of Flight Lieutenant and in April 1978.

During his service with the Ghana Air Force, Rawlings perceived a deterioration in discipline and morale due to corruption in the Supreme Military Council (SMC).

As promotion brought him into contact with the privileged classes and their social values, his view of the injustices in society hardened.

He was thus regarded with some unease by the SMC.

After the 1979 coup, he involved himself with the student community of the University of Ghana, where he developed a more leftist ideology through reading and discussion of social and political ideas

Citinewsroom.com

Celta Vigo star defender Joseph Aidoo and Turkey based defensive midfelder, Joseph Attamah are the latest to arrive in the Black Stars camp in Cape Coast adding up the number of players to 20.

The duo who arrived on Wednesday afternoon, will take part in this evening’s training session at the Cape Coast stadium as preparations continue for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan.

The full list:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Razak Abalora

Defenders: John Boye, Baba Abdul Rahman, Kwadwo Amoako, Christopher Nettey, Alexander Djiku, Joseph Aidoo, Joseph Attamah, Nicholas Opoku

Midfielders: Emmanuel Lomotey, Afriyie Acquah, Clifford Aboagye

Strikers/Forwards: Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew, Tariqe Fosu, Samuel Owusu, Caleb Ekuban, John Antwi.

Ghana will host Sudan on Thursday, November 12, in a match day three tie at the Cape Coast stadium, a match scheduled for 16:00 GMT kick off.

Coach Akonnor is seeking to continue with the teams flying start to the qualifiers following victories against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in November 2019.

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