As the Black Stars gear up for their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying match today, Guide Sports Xtra host Ben Osei Bonsu (BOB) and sports analyst, Stephen Kwaku Asare (V-Pawa) discussed preparations so far.

During the discussion, V Pawa delved into the team’s preparations and the key factors that could determine their performance.

“We must go through the pain of watching the AFCON (in Morocco) on TV because our beloved Black Stars will not be there,” said V Pawa, referring to Ghana’s failure to qualify for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. “We must ensure that we don’t add salt to injury by not qualifying for the World Cup,” he added.

He highlighted the involvement of the current government’s administration, including the Sports Minister, in ensuring the team is well-supported, noting the importance of adding a psychologist to the technical team to help address any lingering psychological issues that may have affected the team’s previous performances.

However, V Pawa emphasized the need for the players to show maturity and unity, rallying behind the team’s captain and focusing on the national agenda.

“As the team prepares for their first match in Accra, the spotlight will be on the technical team’s decisions, particularly in the goalkeeping department and the deployment of key players like Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams. The experts believe the coach’s ability to adapt and get the best out of these players will be crucial to the team’s success,” he added.

Ahead of the pre-match conference, fans and analysts alike will be eager to hear the team’s strategies and the players’ mindset as they aim to secure a spot in the World Cup. The Black Stars’ performance in these crucial qualifiers will undoubtedly be a defining moment in their quest to return to the global stage.

By Wletsu Ransford

President Mahama in a group photograph with Black Stars players and management

President John Dramani Mahama paid a morale-boosting visit to the Black Stars on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Accra Sports Stadium as they prepared for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

Accompanied by key figures such as Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Iddi Adams, Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, and Black Stars Management Committee Chairman, Dr. Randy Abbey, President Mahama encouraged the team to give their best and make Ghana proud. Other notable attendees included National Sports Authority Director General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, and former Black Stars captains Stephen Appiah and Asamoah Gyan.

Addressing the players, President Mahama emphasized the importance of discipline, hard work, and unity, stressing that these values are essential for success in football and beyond. His visit aimed at boosting the team’s motivation ahead of their upcoming matches.

The Black Stars will take on Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, before traveling to Morocco to face Madagascar on March 24, 2025. The team, along with coaches and officials, expressed their gratitude for the President’s support as they aim to secure vital wins in the qualifiers.

By Wletsu Ransford

Firefighting teams are still on-site battling residual fires following a blaze that erupted in the early hours of Friday, March 21, 2025, at Adum, the central business district in Kumasi.

The fire caused significant damage to several shops, prompting an immediate response from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) which continued their efforts into the evening to control and extinguish the blaze.

At one point in the evening, the firefighters exhausted their water supply and had to return to the station for a refill before resuming their efforts to suppress the remaining flames.​

In addition to the firefighting challenges, law enforcement arrested two individuals suspected of attempting to loot goods from the affected shops during the chaos.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities working diligently to determine its origin.​

Speaking to Channel One News’ Hafiz Tijani, the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander ACFO II Peter Tetteh, attributed the rapid spread of the blaze to the market’s congested layout, which hindered effective access to the affected shops.​

He emphasized the importance of traders adhering to fire safety guidelines to prevent such incidents and expressed concern over the limited accessibility for emergency responders.

Drawing a comparison, ACFO II Tetteh highlighted the Kaneshie Market’s strict enforcement of safety protocols, noting its resilience against fire outbreaks.

He advised the management of the market to enforce laws to prevent future occurrences.

“We don’t live here with you, you are doing your business, when we educate you, you accept the message and do the right thing. The management of this area must set rules of engagement for them. You know Kaneshie, since Kaneishe market was built they have never experienced a fire, because they have strong rules of engagement,” he said.

​The commander also noted that earlier access to heavy machinery could have expedited firefighting efforts, mentioning that excavators were brought in later to create pathways for firefighters.

“It’s only this evening that the excavators came, we could have finished this job if we had had the excavators in the morning,” he stated.

He assured that fire personnel would remain on-site overnight to safeguard merchandise and restrict access until investigations are concluded.

Additionally, ACFO II Tetteh confirmed that some of the individuals who sustained injuries during the incident have received treatment and been discharged.​

President John Dramani Mahama visited the scene to assess the damage and engage with affected traders, pledging government support to those impacted by the disaster.

He also advised traders to avoid cooking and using gas cylinders within market premises to mitigate fire risks.

IGP declares war on galamsey, orders nationwide crackdown

…..

Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!

Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x

No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital

Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has revealed that over 107 foreign nationals have been repatriated since he assumed office, following their involvement in illegal mining activities, known as galamsey, and fraudulent practices.

The announcement underscores the government’s commitment to addressing these issues and safeguarding Ghana’s resources.

Speaking at the Regional Command Conference at the Police Headquarters on Friday, March 21, 2025, Muntaka stated “Since I became the Minister of the Interior, we have returned over 107 citizens of other countries that we have found in fraud and in galamsey activities.”

The Minister emphasised the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies, urging regional police commanders to act swiftly when foreigners are found engaging in illegal activities.

He outlined the government’s firm stance on repatriation as the primary response to such cases.

“I want to reiterate to the regional police commanders that any foreigner that we find in our forest, immediately call your colleagues from Immigration for them to be picked up.

“Because we have decided that any foreigner that we will find in our forest or involved in any fraud, our first option is to repatriate them to their countries, and we will not compromise on this,” he added.

Read also

Foreigners engaged in galamsey will be repatriated – Muntaka warns

Collins Adomako, John Abdulai Jinapor

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Afigya Kwabre North, Collins Adomako, has urged the Energy Minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, to present practical solutions to the persistent power outages in Kumasi rather than engaging in rhetoric.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, March 19, during the debate on the 2025 Budget Statement, Mr. Adomako expressed disappointment at the minister’s failure to outline clear measures to resolve the worsening electricity crisis in the Ashanti Region.

He argued that businesses and households continue to suffer, and mere speeches would not alleviate their struggles.

Mr. Adomako emphasised that even the Energy Minister himself had recently acknowledged the severity of the power situation in the region.

“During the visit of the Minister himself (Energy Minister), he had cause to complain about the power situation in the Ashanti Region.

“So I was hoping that when the Energy Minister was on his feet debating, he would have sympathised with the businessmen whose cost of business has gone up and give concrete solutions to resolve the problem, but he failed,” he stated.

His remarks underscored the frustration of many residents and business owners who have endured prolonged and erratic power cuts, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor.’

The MP stressed that Kumasi, as a major economic hub, could not afford to operate under such unreliable power conditions.

He called on the Energy Minister to prioritise the needs of the people by implementing immediate and sustainable measures to stabilise the electricity supply.

He also questioned why, despite numerous assurances, the government had not been able to put in place effective interventions to address the issue comprehensively.

According to him, businesses are struggling due to increased operational costs caused by the erratic power supply, and this is negatively affecting the local economy.