Dr. Johnson Asiama and Dr. Zakari Mumuni as Governor and Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
President John Mahama has officially sworn in Dr. Johnson Asiama and Dr. Zakari Mumuni as Governor and Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
Kurt Okraku Reaffirms Commitment to Football Reform
In the wake of the tragic incident that claimed the life of Francis ‘Nana Pooley’ Frimpong, a passionate Asante Kotoko supporter, GFA President Kurt Okraku has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the ongoing journey of change in Ghanaian football.
Okraku acknowledged the tough moments the GFA has faced in its quest for reform, which began in 2019. “The journey to change Ghanaian football will be tough, and we are going through a tough moment. But we will continue on this journey of change, the journey that we started in 2019,” Okraku said.
Okraku’s remarks come at a critical juncture for the GFA, as it navigates the aftermath of the Nana Pooley’s tragedy and works to ensure justice is served.
He emphasised that the GFA’s actions in the immediate aftermath of the incident were under his command, and he praised the swift response of the association in working closely with Kotoko and the Ghana Police.
The GFA’s commitment to reform has been a central focus since Okraku’s election in 2019. The president has vowed to address the longstanding issues plaguing Ghanaian football, including corruption, poor governance, and a lack of transparency.
Despite the challenges, Okraku remains steadfast in his vision for a brighter future for the sport.
Fmr. Amansie South DCE Proposes Use of Drones To Deliver Exam Questions To Schools
Former Amansie South DCE, Clement Opoku Gyamfi alias CID has proposed the use of drones to deliver exams papers to schools across the nation.
The former DCE, sharing his observations on how some students at particularly the second-cycle institutions suffer during exams due to lapses in the exam process, noted that one of the ways to solve the delays is for the government to adopt the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia drone delivery policy.
Clement Opoku Gyamfi raised concerns about how some students in the hinterlands are severely affected by decisions by WAEC such as cancellation of exams or when the examination body withholds the papers on suspicion of exam leak.
He wondered why this keeps happening almost every year and hoped for a lasting solution to the problem.
While suggesting ways to curb this challenge, it was disclosed that there are instances where some of the schools, especially those in the cities, start their exams an hour or more before others.
He believed the drone delivery system will help to nip this challenge in the bud.
“…we also used our drones in all the exam centers, especially the hard-to-reach zones. I am privy to the fact that a place like Drobonso, we used drones to transport the question papers from Kumasi to them and it arrives on time for the students to successfully write the exams”
Galatasaray to initiate criminal proceedings against Mourinho for “racist statements”
Turkish Süper Lig leaders Galatasaray said they will “initiate criminal proceedings” and report Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho to FIFA and UEFA over what they call “racist statements.”
The move comes after the two sides played to a 0-0 draw in a tense league match in Istanbul on Monday night.
Mourinho had welcomed the appointment of a non-Turkish referee, with Slovenian Slavko Vinčić chosen to officiate. After the match, Mourinho made a point of praising the referee, highlighting the fact he was not from Turkey.
“The performance of the referee was a top performance,” Mourinho told his postmatch news conference.
“I went to the referee’s dressing room after the game. Of course, the fourth official was there, a Turkish referee. And I told him [the referee], thank you [for coming] here. “I turn myself to the fourth official and I told [him] this match, if you are the referee … would be a disaster. When I say him, I say the general tendency.”
Mourinho was also asked about an incident early in the game involving his 19-year-old defender Yusuf Akcicek, to which he said: “Again, I have to thank the referee because with a Turkish referee after the big dive and the first minute and their bench jumping like monkeys on top of the kids. Galatasaray responded with a statement: “Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Türkiye, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people.
“We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA.” Mourinho has led Fenerbahce to a Europa League round-of-16 contest against Rangers next month.
Mohammed Kudus crowns 2022 World Cup “Best Ever” despite early exit in QATAR
Ghana star Mohammed Kudus has called the 2022 World Cup in Qatar the ‘best football tournament,’ outshining even the Champions League. The West Ham standout lived that thrill three years ago at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he scored twice in three games for the Black Stars in his first go at the competition. Mohammed Kudus lit up the pitch against South Korea in the group stage, leaving Ghanaian fans speechless. In an interview with Rising Ballers, the 24-year-old gushed, ‘It was amazing. The World Cup was just different in Qatar—my first time. My family flew out to support me, which made it unforgettable.’
Though the Black Stars bowed out early, Kudus still cherishes the ride.
‘We didn’t go as far as I’d hoped, but being part of it was incredible,’ he said.
Despite missing the 2025 AFCON, Kudus is already eyeing a return to the global stage in 2026, with World Cup qualifiers looming. The Black Stars face Chad and Madagascar in March 2025, starting with a home clash against Chad at Accra Sports Stadium between March 17-21, followed by an away trip to Antananarivo to take on Madagascar.
So far in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Ghana has notched three wins from four games: Mali, Central African Republic, and Madagascar. Their only loss came against Comoros.
That leaves them with nine points, having scored seven goals and conceded five.
Mohammed Kudus, still goalless in these qualifiers, will be eager to find the net when the Black Stars return to action in March.
Over my dead body; we won’t give up title- Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has said he would give up on Arsenal’s title hopes “over my dead body” but added that his side will have to do something unprecedented in Premier League history to win it.
When asked if he would concede the title, Arteta defiantly said: “Over my dead body.
“If not I will go home. Mathematically it is possible. You are there, you have to play every game, suddenly three days ago we could close a gap and you are like ‘you are one-and-a-half games away.’ It doesn’t matter, we have to continue to go.”
“The difficulty is higher than three days about but if you are going to win the Premier League you have to do something special. If you are going to win the Premier League with the circumstances we have you will probably have to do something that nobody else has done in the history of the Premier League.” The loss to West Ham further highlighted Arsenal’s shortage of attacking with options, with Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri the only available forwards at the moment. Arteta confirmed that injured duo Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are “progressing really well” but said they are still some way away from making a comeback.
The one positive Arsenal could take from the game was the return of Ben White, who made his first appearance since November after undergoing knee surgery.
Chris Eubank Jr. slaps Conor Benn with an egg in face-off
Chris Eubank Jr. slapped British rival Conor Benn in the face with an egg at their first face-off in Manchester on Tuesday.
The face-off followed a heated news conference to launch their boxing match, which takes place April 26 in London.
The pair were set to fight in 2022 before Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) tested positive for performance-enhancing drug clomifene. The WBC later said that egg contamination was the “most likely cause.”
Benn has since been cleared to fight.
Heated words were exchanged from the start, with Benn saying, “His dad don’t even like him” in reference to his rival.
Eubank Jr. (34-3, 25 KOs) and Benn will follow the footsteps of their fathers — Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn — who fought two classic bouts in the 1990s.
Plenty was also made of the difference in weight, with Benn a welterweight and Eubank Jr. having fought at super middleweight. The fight will be contested at 160 pounds, with a rehydration clause set at 170 pounds for the same-day weigh-in.
“Don’t blame referees for GPL’s officiating decline” – Kudjoe Fianoo
Former GHALCA president, Kudjoe Fianoo, has raised concerns over the deteriorating standards of officiating in the Ghana Premier League (GPL), citing financial struggles and susceptibility to corruption as key factors. Speaking to Citi Sports, Fianoo lamented that referees are often left unpaid for weeks, making them vulnerable to external influences. He argued that while poor officiating remains a long-standing issue, referees themselves are not entirely to blame.
“Officiating has been on the decline, but you can’t solely blame the referees. They go out to officiate matches and sometimes have to wait weeks to receive a meager payment. This system exposes them to corruption and other vices,” Fianoo also highlighted the connection between poor officiating and hooliganism in Ghanaian football, noting that controversial decisions often fuel fan unrest.
“Hooliganism and football have always been intertwined, but officiating is a major trigger. When referees make repeated errors and suspicions arise that certain teams are being favored or targeted for relegation, it creates an atmosphere of distrust
Comparing the situation to the English Premier League (EPL), Fianoo pointed out that while referees there also make mistakes, the key difference lies in accountability.
In the EPL, referees are punished for poor decisions, but here in Ghana, it has become a pattern. The perception that officialdom is behind some of these decisions is an open secret. When there’s a cloud of suspicion hanging over our league, it damages credibility
He called for urgent reforms in officiating to restore confidence among clubs, players, and supporters.
“If referees are trusted and their decisions are respected, even genuine mistakes will be accepted. But when that trust is lost, hooliganism will continue to plague our game
His comments add to the growing calls for improved officiating in the Ghana Premier League, as the league struggles to maintain its integrity amidst allegations of bias and corruption, as it is set to resume after March 6
Brighton beat Bournemouth in derby; Danny Welbeck bags winner
Second-half substitute Danny Welbeck scored the winner as Brighton beat Bournemouth at Amex Stadium to extend their winning run in all competitions to four matches.
Welbeck, who had replaced Joao Pedro only three minutes earlier, raced on to Georginio Rutter’s pass before sliding a left-footed shot past Kepa Arrizabalaga for his first goal since late October.
Both teams had opportunities to take the lead in an entertaining opening, but it was Brighton who struck first when Pedro stroked home from the penalty spot after being upended by Arrizabalaga.
Kaoru Mitoma hit the post with a first-time effort from Tariq Lamptey’s cross before the interval, but Bournemouth restored parity in the second half when Justin Kluivert collected a Milos Kerkez pass on the left before cutting inside and rifling a magnificent drive past Bart Verbruggen.
The Brighton goalkeeper was forced into a point-blank save from Dango Ouattara as the Cherries sought to complete the turnaround, but Welbeck’s finish ultimately proved decisive.
The victory lifts Brighton up to eighth, level on points with the Cherries in seventh.
Chelsea score four against Southampton to move into Top 4
Chelsea moved back into the top four by ending their three-match losing run with an emphatic win over the Premier League’s bottom club Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring for the Blues in the 24th minute when he headed in Tosin Adarabioyo’s flick-on following a corner. Twelve minutes later, Nkunku set up Pedro Neto who beat Saints keeper Aaron Ramsdale with a low finish when through on goal. Just before half-time Chelsea added a third as Levi Colwill rose highest to nod in Neto’s wide free kick. In the 78th minute substitute Tyrique George set up Marc Cucurella who rounded off a fine counterattack with a drilled finish.
Dominant Chelsea moves fourth in the Premier League table, two points clear of Manchester City and Newcastle who play on Wednesday. Before the match about 100 Chelsea fans protested against the club’s ownership with banners and chants of “Todd Boehly out”. Chelsea was desperate for this win. After starting the season with 18 wins from 26 matches in all competitions, the Blues had won just three of their past 12 before their match with Southampton.
But they always looked better than the struggling Saints with Nkunku particularly impressing as they created numerous chances.
While the French forward starred, key man Cole Palmer continued to stutter. Much has been written about Chelsea’s top scorer, who has now gone seven matches without a goal. He missed two glorious chances when one-on-one in the first half with one effort saved by Aaron Ramsdale and another dragged wide. After the restart he blasted a cut-back over the bar and had a free-kick kept out by Ramsdale. So, while there were plenty of positives for Chelsea supporters, some will continue to worry about Palmer’s lengthening goal drought. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca also chose to play goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen who was at fault for Aston Villa’s late winner against the Blues last time out.
The 22-year-old Swedish keeper had little to do although he did make a fine diving save to deny a Paul Onuachu header with the score goalless.
Late on, Chelsea gave Premier League debuts to 19-year-old midfielder Mathis Amougou and 17-year-old forward Shumaira Mheuka.