Home Blog Page 208

Ghanaian Teachers should be ready to forgo 50% of their salary if they want to stay home – Prof. Adei

Professor Emeritus of the Ashesi University, Stephen Adei says teachers must be ready to forgo 50% of their salaries if they want to continue staying at home.

The outbreak of Covid-19 in Ghana has resulted in the closure of schools to curb the spread of the disease and teachers have been at home since March.

Speaking on Joy News’ Upfront with Winston Amoah, the Educationist stated that aside the teachers writing a letter to protest the imminent reopening of schools, they should have made some positive contributions on how to protect teachers and students and a reduction in their salaries.

According to him, public workers are not entitled to their salaries when they are not working.

“[Being] a public worker does not mean that whether you work or not you are entitled to your pay. We must have the teachers when we reopen. But I expect some positive contributions.

“And you just go and tell the government ‘oh, don’t open schools, let us stay at home’ and then you say nothing about your salary or what we should do and the protocols towards reopening. Nothing, nothing about your salary, you’re going to stay at home. This is a sign of irresponsibility,” he said.

Several civil organizations have condemned a letter from GES suggesting that the body has launched a stakeholder consultation to provide President Akufo-Addo with measures to be taken ahead of a possible reopening of schools.

Among them is the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations who has called on government to postpone talks on the reopening of schools.

According to them, it is too early for government to be thinking about reopening schools at a time where the recorded cases of Covid-19 are rising steadily.

However, Prof Adei says teachers should be willing and ready to forgo at least 50% of their salaries while they sit at home, as their inactivity does not merit a full salary.

-Myjoyonline

Ghana FA job is ‘more difficult than I expected’, Kurt Okraku admits working under pressure

The football association chief has admitted that he is working under intense pressure than he expected before coming into power

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku has said that he least expected that he will be facing a lot of pressure before being elected into office.

Barely seven months into his tenure, Okraku has faced countless challenges including clubs asking his administration to share a $500,000 stimulus package from Fifa as well as asking government to come to the aid of clubs following the Coronavirus disease pandemic.

A section of Ghanaians are also advocating for transparency while others are anticipatingthat the 2019-20 league season to be truncated in order allow clubs to adequately prepare for a new campaign which will synchronise with the European leagues.

“I’ve never regretted my decision to become the president but I will be the first to admit that from outside the premises of the GFA, from outside the seat; I presumed that there are challenges but since October 25 and the weeks after that, I have come to appreciate that the difficulties are much more difficult than I thought,” Okraku told Ghanaweb.

“But that is where I derive my motivation from. Yes, it is difficult, it is challenging but I am in it so I need to work extremely hard,” he added.

Okraku’s first major task will be 2021 Africa Cup of Nations where the Balck Stars would be hoping to end their run without a major trophy since they last lifted it in 1982.

Medeama goalkeeper Ofori Antwi not ready to extend stay in GPL; eyes move to Europe

The shot-stopper says he will not consider any interest from Ghana Premier League after his stay in Tarkwa as he wants to travel Europe for greener pastures

Medeama goalkeeper Eric Ofori Antwi has revealed that he will not extend his Ghana Premier League when his contract with the Tarkwa-based club run out.

The 28-year-old has become a transfer target for Hearts of Oak as well as former club Asante Kotoko following his splendid performance for the Yellow and Mauve this season.

However, he insists that he wants to seek greener pastures in Europe after almost a decade in the local terrain.
“I have decided not to play for any club in Ghana again after my time with Medeama,” Antwi told B.A TV.

“Time and tide wait for no man so I will try and travel outside to continue with my career. I believe I’ve made my mark in the local scene,” he added.

Although Antwiwas snubbed by Chana coach C.K  Akonnor in March when he announced his squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan and Sao Tome, he insists that he is patiently eyeing a chance.

“I have more time ahead of me as a professional player and God also works with time so I am certain that with my consistent performance in the local league, I would be given the chance to join the national team soon,” he said.

Ghana Premier League must restart in September, says Yaw Amponsah

The former football association presidential aspirant believes the current football season must be nullified and prepare for a new one in September

Phar Rangers bankroller Nana Yaw Amponsah has insisted that 2019-20 Ghana football season must be truncated due to Coronavirus disease pandemic in order to adequately prepare for a new campaign.

Amponsah, who contested for the Ghana FA Presidential elections in November last year, believes it will be in the best interests of all stakeholders to start afresh since that will be the only way to synchronise the local season with that of Europe.

“If we want to synchronize our league with that of Europe, then we must wait and start in September. At the moment the Accra Sports Stadium pitch will not be ready for football for the next one month” Nana Yaw said in an interview with Happy FM.

“Let us give ourselves up to September to start a new league so that the various clubs can start to prepare and meet the club licensing requirements, ” he added.

The top-flight was her to reach halfway since it has seen fifteen games.

 

‘Ghana FA Exco unanimously agreed to sack Kwasi Appiah’; Okraku denies taking revenge

The country’s football association president has vehemently denied suggestions that he used his position to take a revenge on the former Black Stars coach

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku has rejected reports that he initiated the process to part ways with former Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah.

The 60-year-old was relieved from office a couple months ago after a decision was taken by Ghana FA not to extend his contract after it expired.

Although, there were media reports that Appiah was sacked because he failed to hand national team call ups to players who werenmanaged by Proton Sports, formerly owned by Okraku, the latter insists that was never the case.

“It will be most unfortunate because it could sound like a disrespect to all the twelve members on the Executive Council and other stakeholders who were engaged before that singular decision was taken,” Okraku told Sports Check.

“We all know that we woefully didn’t perform at the AFCON, we all know the happenings from the Brazil 2014 World cup, we all know all the things that has happened before.

“So when the council put the motion into vote, it was twelve out of twelve a big no. It was not about the president of the FA not wanting somebody,” he added.

Appiah in talks with Sudan and Libya to take over their national teams, according to reports.

‘King Faisal players not ready for Salary pay cut’, Osman warns club’s top hierarchy

The highly-rated youngster has revealed that the players will not agree to any pay cut from the club’s management since they are paid a meagre amount

King Faisal striker Ibrahim Osman has insisted that the first team players have agreed not to accept pay-cut from the club’s top hierarchy despite rumours flying around.

Reports suggest that none of the players at the club, including Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup winner Daniel Nii Adjei, is paid above $300 at the end of every month.

“Our salaries at King Faisal aren’t enough, so how will the club’s management even think of pay cut? If they bring that idea up then they just want to worry the players,” Osman told Otec FM.

“How much do King Faisal pay us at the end of every month to even think of cutting down salaries? I’m not sure they will do that to us and I don’t believe the players will accept a pay cut if they propose it to us [despite Coronavirus disease affecting every businesses,]” he added.

On loan from Asante Kotoko, the 20-year-old has become King Faisal’s topscorer in the Ghana Premier League this season, netting ten times in 15 games as the club hopes to avoid the drop.

According to reports in the local media, Osman has become a transfer target of many European countries and could leave the country after the Coronavirus disease pandemic is over.

Fatau Dauda reveals main reason behind celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo’s header at 2014 World Cup

The shot-stopper has shed lights on why he was seen in a wild celebration after thwarting an effort from the five-time World Best player at the World Cup

Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda has revealed that he was excited to have saved an effort from Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo when Ghana played Portugal at the 2014 Fifa World Cup because he felt he had made his trainers proud.

After picking only a point from two games in Group G, the Black Stars needed a win badly against Portugal in the last game at the Brasilia National Stadium to stand a chance of qualifying to the next stage but despite Dauda’s initial heroics, Ronaldo proved too strong to aid his side win the day.

“Let me set the records straight for every Ghanaian to understand. The main reason why I jubilated after saving Cristiano Ronaldo’spoin-blank header during the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil was that before the group stage games, our technical handlers showed us videos on our opponents especially the stars in each country so that we could know how to beat them or save the situation. The goalkeeping coach also taught me a lot of things when watching our opponents videos,” Dauda told B.A TV

“On that of Ronaldo, he gave me all the technicalities I can use to save Rinaldo’s balls from entering my net and one of the things he taught me on CR7 before the Portugal game was what I replicate o save that dangerous header from him.

“So it was like getting answers correct to exams questions but most Ghanaians thought I was just overly excited merely because I saved that header. I was just happy because as a good student, I was able to follow the instructions of my coach,” he added.

Dauda, after stints in South Africa and Nigeria, is now plying his trade with Ghana Premier League side Legon Cities FC.

Ghana’s Coronavirus disease cases shot to 5,918; three more deaths confirmed

The global pandemic seems not ending anytime soon, especially in Africa as the numbers continue to soar each day

Barely after 72 hours since the last public announcement was made, Ghana’s Coronavirus disease numbers have shot up to 5,918 cases which means that 280 cases have been added to victims on Tuesday, as the country continues with a rigorous community contact tracing.

Despite the rise in number, it is worth noting that 294 people have also recovered fully within the same period adding up to 1,754 who have been discharged to join their various families across the country.

However, three additional deaths have been confirmed as they couldn’t survive despite the government’s efforts of saving them with first class treatment. This has made the number increased to 31 with more people still in critical situations.

Amid this unpleasant news, government through Ghana Education Service is making plans on how to resumes schools since closing them on March 16.

However, the three major Teacher Unions in the country namely NAGRAT, GNAT and CCT have kicked against this decision since they believe the lives of teachers and students as well as their parents or guardians will be hugely exposed to the disease in various ways because the country lacks infrastructure and financial strength to roll out social distancing and compulsory wearing of face masks before, during and after school hours.

Essien reveals why he didn’t sign for Liverpool in 2002

The midielder has revealed that he was on the verge of signing for the Anfield side but the Blues brought an improved offer later

Former Ghana and Chelsea international Michael Essien has revealed that he almost signed for Premier League side Liverpool in 2002.

After making a name in France with Bastia, Essien became a transfer target for many clubs in Europe and Liverpool’s former French manager Gerard Houllier tabled an offer for the defensive midfielder but the deal fell through.

The 37-year-old believes it wasn’t the best time for him to play in England until Jose Mourinho and Chelsea came into the scene.

“I had lot of offers. I was close to signing for Liverpool when Gerard Houllier was their coach,” Essien said in #ConvosWithCarol.

”I even went to Melwood to meet the coach. We had a talk and I returned to France but the offers were still coming. PSG, Olympique Marseille et al, but I told Bastia I don’t want to move and they also didn’t want to sell me at that time because they wanted me to stay for another year which was fine with me because I also didn’t want to leave the club so I stayed for another season, that’s my third year with the club.

”Olympique Lyon joined the three aforementioned clubs to enquire about me but I thought it was too early to move to England that was why I joined Lyon and later moved to Chelsea under Mourinho,” he said.

“Lyon were my favourite team when I went to France because they were winning everything. I told my agent that if Lyon have come into the picture I’d like to join them.

”PSG were then serious about signing me to the extent that they made an offer. I was back home at that time and the call came that PSG had made a bid for me. It was even on the national television that I had signed for PSG which I had not because I was still in Ghana.
”There was a lot of controversies going on between the board and my agent so when I went back to Bastia, we met with the board members and the president, and I told them I’d prefer to join Lyon although I liked Paris.

”I was really caught between PSG and Lyon but my preference was always Lyon. I had then spoken to the president and their coach. I gave them my word that when I return from my holidays in Ghana, I’ll do everything to sign for them but It was not easy,” he added.

Essien, after signing for Chelsea later in 2005 for £24.4 million, became the club’s most expensive player at that time under Jose Mourinho and went on to win the Premier League title in his maiden season.

 

Hearts of Oak players boycotted training ahead of 2017 FA Cup final humiliation by Kotoko – Thomas Abbey

The Phobians former skipper has shed lights on why they were thrashed in the Cup final by their sworn rivals three years ago in Tamale

Hearts of Oak former captain Thomas Abbey has revealed that the club lost the 2017 Ghana FA Cup to Asante Kotoko due to an impasse among the players, technical team and management members.

After a wonderful run in the campaign, the Phobians were thrashed 3-1 by Kotoko at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium thanks to a first-half hat-trick by Sadick Adams and Abbey has insisted that the players were not mentally and physically prepared for the game since they were owed three months salaries as well as winning bonuses from seven games which generated confusion in camp.

In an interview with Angel FM Accra, Abbey said;

“I can say that before the match, everything favoured Hearts. We were supposed to win but there were very serious problems in the team. We had not been paid for three months and winning bonuses from seven matches were also not paid.

“I can tell you that, before the final, we were not even training. We were protesting so we will go to the training grounds and only jog for twenty minutes and go back home.”

He added: “Most of the players had their contracts expired so we knew the match was the last opportunity to demand our pay. Not surprising that we lost in the first half. I can say it was what led to the defeat.”

Hearts are without a major trophy since lifting the 2009 Ghana Premier League title and that has mounted pressure on the top hierarchy to change the direction of the club in other to return to winning ways.