Former Premier League referee David Coote has been banned by Uefa following his conduct around Euro 2024.
Coote was sacked in December by Premier League refereeing body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following an investigation into his conduct.
He was initially suspended by the PGMOL on 11 November after a video circulated showing him making derogatory comments about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp.
A further investigation was opened by Uefa two days later after the Sun published photographs it says were taken during last summer’s European Championship, alleging they appear to show Coote sniffing a white powder through a rolled up US bank note.
The 42-year-old was listed as a video assistant referee at the tournament in Germany.
Uefa says Coote had “violated the basic rules of decent conduct” and he was sanctioned for “bringing the sport of football, and Uefa in particular, into disrepute”.
He is banned from officiating in European competitions until 30 June 2026.
In an interview with the Sun last month, Coote revealed he is gay and apologised for his actions.
On 27 November 2024, the Football Association opened a new investigation following an allegation that Coote had discussed giving a yellow card before a Championship match between Leeds and West Brom in 2019. He has always denied these allegations.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, has praised Channel One TV’s annual Heritage Month celebration, describing it as a significant boost for Ghana’s tourism industry and a vital initiative for preserving the nation’s cultural heritage.
Speaking at the grand launch of the 2025 Heritage Month on Friday, February 28, 2025, Madam Gomashie underscored the importance of the celebration in keeping Ghana’s cultural traditions alive.
“I see this [Channel One TV’s Heritage Month] as a great boost for tourism as well as an opportunity to facilitate learning and living Ghana’s history while celebrating our vibrant cultural heritage and diversity,” she stated.
Heritage Month: A Platform for Cultural Preservation
Heritage Month, organized by Channel One TV, is an annual event dedicated to celebrating Ghanaian culture and traditions. The initiative has grown into a premier platform for cultural education, appreciation, and national unity.
The Tourism Minister lauded Channel One TV for spearheading the initiative, emphasizing its role in educating the public about Ghana’s history and showcasing the country’s cultural wealth.
“The Heritage Month is an innovative celebration of our rich cultural heritage and the contributions our forebearers made to the development of our great nation,” she added. A Call for More Cultural Promotion
Madam Gomashie encouraged other media organizations to take inspiration from Channel One TV and Citi FM and contribute to promoting Ghana’s cultural identity.
“Congratulations to Channel One for this amazing and exemplary activity that you do every year. You have set this pace, and I hope all media houses will follow. Congratulations to Citi FM and Channel One for this beautiful experience you give us every year,” she said.
This year’s event stands as a testament to the significance of preserving and passing on the stories, rituals, and legacies that define Ghana’s vibrant identity.
Stay tuned to Channel One TV and Citi 97.3 FM for exclusive coverage, engaging programs, and live updates throughout the month-long celebration.
Former Deputy Minister of Health and Akim-Oda MP, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has blamed the delay in operationalizing some completed Agenda 111 hospitals on the termination of appointments for health practitioners recruited under the Akufo-Addo administration.
He revealed that although three health facilities have been completed and fully equipped, they remain non-functional due to a shortage of medical personnel.
Speaking to Citi News after President Mahama’s State of the Nation Address, Acquah explained:
“They are not operational because we have to put staff there, and the practitioners we have recruited are the same people they are sacking away.
“So if you are terminating the appointment, GHS will not have the ability to post people to these facilities, but otherwise, we have mentioned that three facilities have been fully completed.
“We have done the tooling, and it is ready to be operated. We have the Trede in Atwima Kwanwoma, we have the Kokoben in Oforikrom, and then we have the Bokro in Ahanta West.”
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has emphasized the need for collective action from stakeholders, including local assemblies, traditional leaders, religious organizations, and the private sector, to support the government’s periodic clean-up exercises.
According to her, sustained sanitation efforts will help maintain a cleaner environment and curb the spread of communicable diseases such as cholera.
Speaking to the media ahead of a scheduled clean-up exercise at the Madina Market, Madam Ocloo revealed that President John Dramani Mahama is set to launch a National Sanitation Day initiative in the coming days.
“We all know that sanitation has become a challenge in the capital, affecting not only our health but also our environment and overall well-being,” she said.
She explained that a Regional Sanitation Day will be observed every month to complement the national exercise, ensuring consistency in promoting environmental hygiene across the region.
“This initiative aims to instill a renewed sense of cleanliness and responsibility in our communities to prevent communicable diseases like cholera and also check flooding,” she added.
Madam Ocloo urged all stakeholders to actively participate in the initiative.
“This is a collective effort, and I therefore call on all assemblies, traditional leaders, religious organizations, market associations, youth groups, and the private sector to fully support and participate in this noble cause,” she stated.
The clean-up exercise at Madina Market is part of a broader effort to enhance sanitation practices and encourage community involvement in keeping the city clean.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has condemned remarks made by Member of Parliament for the Tolon constituency, Habib Iddrisu, during the vetting of Deputy Minister-designate for Agriculture, John Dumelo.
At the vetting held on February 25, 2025, Habib admonished John Dumelo, the Deputy Minister Designate for Food and Agriculture, not to treat his new job as the movie industry.
“You are not in your movie industry, try to be as serious as you can,” he said.
The comment has since drawn widespread condemnation from creative arts stakeholders, highlighting the industry’s longstanding struggle for respect and recognition.
Speaking at the launch of Heritage Month, organized by Citi FM and Channel One TV, Dzifa Gomashie expressed her frustration over the repeated disregard for the creative arts sector in political discourse.
“It’s not the first time my space is being disrespected – we need to value it and appreciate it! It’s part of who we are,” she stated, emphasizing the significance of the arts in Ghana’s cultural and economic identity.
Meanwhile, a press statement signed by Richard Yaw Boateng, National President of Film Directors Guild of Ghana (FDGG) also expressed outrage and disappointment over the comment, describing it as “reckless” and “unfortunate.”
A raging fire has destroyed a dormitory block at Sakafia Islamic Basic School in Sawaba, Asokore Mampong Municipality, Ashanti Region, leaving students in shock and despair.
The fire, which broke out around 2 a.m. on February 28, 2025, started in one of the rooms, causing panic among the students. Fortunately, the housemaster acted swiftly, ensuring that all students were safely evacuated. No casualties were reported.
Firefighters arrived late but managed to prevent the flames from spreading to other parts of the school. Speaking to Citi News, on Friday, February 28, Senior Housemaster of Sakafia Islamic School, Umar Ibrahim recounted the situation stating, “The fire started around 2 a.m. when we were all asleep. I sleep in a separate room, while the students stay in a six-room dormitory. The children woke me up, and by then, most of them were still asleep. The senior housemistress and I had to quickly wake them up and help them escape the fire.”
President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his unwavering support for the Anti-LGBTQ Bill, firmly asserting that only two genders—male and female—exist.
Speaking to the clergy in Accra on Friday, February 28, 2025, the President reaffirmed his commitment to what he described as the core principles of Ghanaian society.
“I believe in the principles and values that only two genders exist—man and woman. And that marriage is between a man and a woman,” Mahama declared, receiving nods of approval from religious leaders in attendance.
He further disclosed that consultations were ongoing with the Speaker of Parliament to reintroduce the Proper Family Values Bill, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
“It is my hope that the consultation will lead to a renewed Proper Family Values Bill,” he stated.
The bill, which prohibits the promotion, advocacy, and funding of LGBTQ+ activities, was passed by the eighth Parliament but did not receive presidential assent under the previous administration of Nana Akufo-Addo. Economic Recovery and National Development
Beyond addressing social and moral concerns, President Mahama also outlined his administration’s commitment to tackling Ghana’s economic challenges. He emphasized a clear plan to restore financial stability, create jobs, and ensure economic resilience.
“Our immediate priority is to stabilize the economy and restore confidence in Ghana. We will stabilize our currency, bring down interest rates, reduce inflation, cut the deficit, and improve our financial standing,” he assured.
Mahama also highlighted the importance of agriculture in achieving economic self-sufficiency, stating that his government was focused on strengthening the sector.
“A nation that cannot feed itself cannot prosper. That is why we are making aggressive interventions in the agricultural sector. By modernizing farming techniques, investing in agro-processing, and supporting our farmers, we will lay a solid foundation for a prosperous future,” he added.
In a bid to equip Ghanaian businesses with essential legal knowledge for navigating corporate growth and financial uncertainty, the book Companies, Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring in Ghana: The Law and Practice (Volume 1) has been officially launched.
Authored by Ace Anan Akomah et al., the book—also known as the Blue Book—serves as a comprehensive guide for businesses, legal practitioners, and policymakers, offering critical insights into corporate insolvency and restructuring.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Her Ladyship Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, Justice of the Court of Appeal, emphasized the crucial role of legal frameworks in ensuring economic stability.
“We are being given a transformative tool for Ghana’s legal and corporate landscape. The Book: ‘Companies, Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring in Ghana: The Law and Practice’ is more than a scholarly text. It is a practitioner’s lifeline, a compass offering clarity in the face of modern commercial demands. My view is that this book is indispensable for every lawyer, judge and business leader,” she said. For her part, the President of the Ghana Bar Association, Afua Ghartey commended the authors and encouraged lawyers to create a niche for themselves.
“The times are upon us globally, where specialization is a must and practicing in ones area of expertise should be satisfying and rewarding .This will make the Bar competitive and attractive,” she quipped.
Gracing the night as the Chairman for the launch was astute legal practitioner Prof. Nana SKB Asante , Omanhene of Asante Asokore who urged investors to take particular interest in the book as they establish their presence in Ghana.
The book was edited by the esteemed Editor and legal luminary, Justice Professor S K Date-Bah alongside Ace Anan Akomah who was the Associate editor.
The other chapter authors are Professor AK Fiadjoe, Professor P Bondzi-Simpson, Felix Ntrakwah, Felix Addo, Jemima Oware, Domtie Sarpong and Felix Awuah.
Deputy Energy Minister-Designate, Richard Gyan Mensah, has reassured Ghanaians of President John Mahama’s administration’s commitment to working tirelessly to end the country’s energy sector crisis.
Speaking to Channel One News in the aftermath of the President’s State of the Nation Address, Richard Gyan-Mensah accused the minority in Parliament of deliberately scheming to see President Mahama fail in his quest to end the frequent intermittent power outages, popularly referred to as ‘dumsor.’
He assured that, having visited the energy ministry following his nomination as Deputy Energy Minister, he is confident in the major plans being put in place to fix the power sector crisis.
“[President John Mahama] gave a picture of what he came to meet and provided assurances of what he is going to do in terms of resetting the country.
“I heard my colleagues make some remarks, especially regarding the issue of dumsor. This is what I perceive: there was a deliberate plan by the NPP to ensure that President Mahama fails when he came to power.
“I am assuring the people of Ghana that there is so much good work the new NDC administration is going to do for the people of Ghana.”
“This is the fifth State of the Nation Address I have witnessed, and I can boldly say it is the best one ever delivered since I became a Member of Parliament. The President was very straight to the point.
Richard Gyan Mensah, who is also a second-term Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, described the President’s State of the Nation Address as the best he has witnessed in Parliament.
Richard Gyan Mensah was recently nominated by President John Mahama as deputy energy minister. On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, he successfully underwent vetting and is now awaiting swearing-in.
The 33rd Central Region Schools & Colleges Sports Association Athletics Super-Zonal Championship kicked off with a blaze of excitement on Day 1, February 27, 2025, as the boys’ 4x100m relay Heat 2 delivered a heart-pounding spectacle.
Under the bright morning sun at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Adisadel College emerged victorious, edging out fierce competitors St. Augustine’s College and Boa Amponsem Senior High School in a race that had spectators on the edge of their seats. The Super-Zonal Championships, a cornerstone of youth athletics in the Central Region, bring together the most talented student-athletes from schools and colleges across the area.
This year’s event promises to be one of the most competitive yet, and Heat 2 of the boys’ 4x100m relay set the tone with an electrifying display of speed, teamwork, and determination.
As the starting gun fired, the athletes exploded off the blocks, their strides synchronized in a flurry of motion. Adisadel College, known for its rich history in athletics, took an early lead with a seamless baton exchange between their first and second runners.
The team’s anchor, a lanky senior whose powerful strides ate up the track, crossed the finish line first, clocking an unofficial time that hinted at a potential record-breaking performance later in the finals.
Hot on their heels was St. Augustine’s College, a perennial powerhouse in Central Region sports. Their runners showcased impeccable coordination, with their third-leg sprinter gaining ground before handing off to an anchor who pushed valiantly to secure second place.
The crowd roared as St. Augustine’s made a late surge, but they couldn’t quite catch Adisadel’s lead.
Boa Amponsem Senior High School rounded out the top three, delivering a commendable effort that kept them in contention throughout the race.
Their team, though less heralded than their rivals, demonstrated grit and potential, earning applause for a strong showing against two of the region’s giants.
Post-race, the Adisadel camp was buzzing with excitement.
“We’ve been training hard for this moment,” said their coach, Kwesi Mensah, wiping sweat from his brow.
“The boys executed the plan perfectly—speed off the blocks and clean handoffs. This is just the beginning for us.” The team’s anchor, 17-year-old Kofi Ansah, added, “We knew St. Augustine’s would come strong, but we stayed focused. It feels amazing to take the win.”
St. Augustine’s, while disappointed to settle for second, remained optimistic. “It’s a long competition,” remarked their captain, James Ofori. “This was just the heats.
We’ll regroup and bring our best in the finals.
” The rivalry between Adisadel and St. Augustine’s, steeped in decades of athletic tradition, promises more fireworks as the Super-Zonal progresses.
Boa Amponsem’s coach, Madam Esther Nyarko, praised her team’s effort.
“We’re the underdogs here, but third place in this heat shows we belong. The boys ran with heart, and we’re aiming to surprise everyone before this is over.”
