Ghana U17 head coach Frimpong Manso has voiced concern over a growing shift in player preference, with many young Ghanaian footballers now opting to play as wingers.
Speaking to Peace FM, the former Ghana international said global football icons have influenced this trend.
“At first, if you ask 8 out of 10 Ghanaian players, they will tell you they are midfielders. But now it is shifting to wingers. They all say, ‘I am a winger,’” he said.
He noted that while many cite stars like Lionel Messi as inspiration, few possess the qualities needed for the role.
“I am a winger because of Messi and others. It is influencing certain people, mostly youngsters. In that position, you need certain qualities to say that you are a winger. That is where the problem is now,” he explained.
Manso also lamented that the obsession with the winger role has resulted in the decline in natural strikers emerging from the Ghana’s youth.
“With strikers, it has decreased very much,” he added.
His concerns come amid Ghana’s ongoing struggle to produce consistent goal-scorers for the national teams.
Former General Manager of the now-defunct Nsoatreman FC, Eric Alagidede, has blamed Ghana’s failure to progress beyond the quarter-finals of the U-20 AFCON on head coach Desmond Ofei’s reliance on foreign-based players.
The Black Satellites were eliminated by hosts Egypt on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Ofei named a 24-man squad for the tournament, with more than half of the players based outside the country.
“You [Desmond] are the head coach and preferred foreign-based players and you were allowed to get them so when you don’t qualify, you obviously have to take the blame,” Eric told Asempa FM.
“Ghana has never had a squad dominated by foreign-based players for an Afcon competition. So if you send 14 foreign-based players, what are you telling us? He quizzed.
The defeat extended Ghana’s wait to participate at the World Cup since 2015.
The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has named Dickson Kyere Duah, Member of Parliament for Berekum West as the chairman of the planning committee of the 50th anniversary of the prestigious SWAG Awards.
Also named is Miss Rosalind Amoh, deputy Editor for the Daily Graphic, as the chairperson of the SWAG Awards Nominations Committee.
These committees will play crucial roles in planning a memorable 50th anniversary of the prestigious SWAG Awards and identifying outstanding Sports performers and Organisations for honours.
In a statement issued and signed by Mr Kwabena Yeboah, President of SWAG, it explained that the 50th SWAG Awards Planning Committee would oversee the planning of a grand commemoration and execution of the anniversary awards ceremony, showcasing Ghana’s rich sports history, honouring legends and performers in the year under review, celebrating the country’s sporting history over the past five decades.
The SWAG Awards Committee would be chaired by Dickson Kyere Duah, Member of Parliament for Berekum West, who also doubles as the Bono/Ahafo Regional Vice Chairman of SWAG.
He will be assisted by Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, former CEO of Ghana Digital Center, Mr. Maurice Quansah, Sports Editor of Graphic Communications Group Limited and Ms. Rosemary Mbroba Gaisie, formerly of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
Others include; Ms. Veronica Commey, Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority, Mr Sammy Heywood Okine, former SWAG General Secretary, Mr William Dodzi Ezah, former SWAG General and Editor at the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kenneth Odeng Adade, Deputy General Secretary of SWAG and Mr. Charles Kwadwo Ntim of Homebase Media as members.
The statement added that the SWAG Awards Nomination Committee will identify and nominate exceptional individuals and organisations in various sports categories for the prestigious SWAG Awards. They would also ensure a rigorous and transparent nomination process, upholding the highest standards of excellence in sports.
The committee will be chaired by Ms Roslind Koramah Amoh, former Treasurer of SWAG and deputy Editor at the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Kyei Baffour, representing SWAG Western and Western North, Bright Yeboah Taylor, Sports Statistician and Historian, Gabriel Obu, expert in least financed sports as members.
Other members of the committee include; Matilda Dimedo, Women’s football, Francis Ofori from the SWAG Secretariat, Prince Obiba Ayim Poakwa, SWAG Greater Accra, Davis Attuquaye Clottey, SWAG Volta/Oti, Precious Sermevor, SWAG Bono/Ahafo, John Kwasi Arthur, SWAG Central and Francis Okyere, SWAG Eastern.
“We are thrilled to announce these committees as we prepare to celebrate 50 years of the SWAG Awards. Their dedication and expertise will be instrumental in making this anniversary celebration a memorable one.
“The members of both committees bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in sports journalism, administration and event planning. SWAG is confident that their collective efforts will result in a successful and impactful celebration,” SWAG President Kwabena Yeboah added.
Looking to secure an all-important Champions League spot, Chelsea welcome domestic strugglers Manchester United to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Friday night.
After finishing sixth in the Premier League during the 2023-24 campaign, securing Conference League football for this term, Chelsea are aiming to go at least one position better this time around in order to qualify for the Champions League, a competition they won as recently as 2021 under Thomas Tuchel.
That being said, the Blues’ charge towards a top-five standing was stopped in its tracks by a rowdy bunch of Magpies in the North-East last Sunday afternoon, when goals either side of the half-time whistle from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes sealed a 2-0 success for Newcastle.
The Blues should be relatively confident of picking up a positive result this Friday at Stamford Bridge, where the West Londoners were last defeated in the Premier League all the way back on Boxing Day, when a last-minute strike from Rodrigo Muniz won the afternoon for neighbours Fulham.
Only runaway champions Liverpool (1) and Aston Villa (1) have lost fewer games at home in the Premier League than Chelsea’s two so far this season, with Friday’s hosts unbeaten across their last four competitive meetings with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge stretching back to February 2021.
Manchester United extended their winless run in the Premier League to an astonishing seven matches. Sitting in 16th spot in the top-flight rankings, the Red Devils are hurtling towards their worst-ever Premier League campaign.
Hunting down a spot in the Champions League, Chelsea will be confident of putting a Europa League-focused Man United to the sword on Friday night.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Aston Villa and Tottenham faceoff at Villa Park
A Premier League win for Aston Villa against visitors Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on Friday could put them in a strong position from which to qualify for the Champions League.
Amadou Onana, Aston Villa
Villa were fortunate to have escaped the Vitality Stadium with all three points when they played Bournemouth given they mustered just six shots – three of which occurred in first-half stoppage time – with the victors registering their final attempt one minute into the second half.
Boss Unai Emery will not care about the nature of the win considering they are only behind the final Champions League qualification spot due to goal difference, though Chelsea still have to face Manchester United, as well as seventh-placed Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season.
Failure to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition could have significant consequences on the team’s ability to keep their best players amid reports that they are at risk of falling foul of profit and sustainability rules.
Villa have kept two consecutive clean sheets coming into Friday’s game, and they have in fact prevented their opponents from scoring in five of their last eight top-flight matches, conceding just three times in that period.
Emery’s side have been excellent in the Premier League, winning seven of their past eight while losing just one and scoring 16 goals.
The hosts’ record at home has been phenomenal, with the club undefeated in their 20 most recent outings at Villa Park, achieving victory 14 times, including in each of their last seven at the stadium.
Villa’s Premier League form has been exceptional, and they will be confident of being able to push towards the Champions League spots.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Crystal Palace face Manchester City in FA Cupfinal
The 144th FA Cup final will take centre stage under the famous arch of Wembley Stadium where Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Manchester City lock horns on Saturday afternoon.
While the Citizens are bidding to win England’s most prestigious cup competition for the eighth time, the Eagles are hoping to get their hands on their first-ever piece of major silverware in their 120-year existence as a professional club.
Will it be third time lucky for Crystal Palace or is more Manchester misery on the horizon? The Eagles have progressed to their third FA Cup final having lost the previous two to Manchester United in 1990 and 2016 – they are one of four clubs to compete in two finals without ever winning the trophy along with Queen’s Park (1884 and 1885), Birmingham City (1931 and 1956) and Watford (1984 and 2019).
Erling Haaland, Manchester City
Palace have extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches, with a 1-1 Premier League draw at home to top-five hopefuls Nottingham Forest followed by a dominant 2-0 win at strugglers Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Now sitting 12th in the Premier League table and with the same amount of points as last season (49) with two games to spare, Palace will briefly put their slim top-10 aspirations to once side as they chase immortality, with FA Cup glory not only enough to etch their name into the history books, but it would also seem them qualify for next season’s Europa League – the Eagles last competed in Europe back in 1998 (UEFA Intertoto Cup).
The Eagles have lost three of their previous four FA Cup encounters with the Citizens – their only victory was in fact their very first meeting with City in the first round of the competition back in January 1921 (2-0).
Man City have become the first team in English football history to reach the final of both major domestic cup competitions three seasons running – they reached the EFL Cup final in four successive campaigns between 2017-18 and 2020-21, and they are now gearing up for their third consecutive FA Cup showpiece.
While some may argue that Guardiola will have one eye on next Tuesday’s important PL clash against Bournemouth, Man City’s primary focus should – and most likely will – be on their 14th FA Cup final appearance. Victory on Saturday would see the Citizens lift their eighth FA Cup and draw level with Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs, while only Arsenal (14) and Man United (13) have ever won more.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, has officially put an end to the controversy surrounding Sammy Gyamfi, following public outrage over a video that showed the acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board allegedly offering dollar bill notes to Evangelist Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa.
In an Interview with an Accra based Radio Station, the Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the President confirmed that he personally reached out to Mr. Sammy Gyamfi to seek clarity on the matter.
“The President called him and asked about what happened. He also accepted the apology and asked him to be careful,” Kwakye Ofosu disclosed.
The President emphasised the need for discretion among public officials and stressed that preventive caution was more effective than punitive action.
“The President urged all government officials to be careful so that things like this do not happen in the future,” the spokesperson noted.
The controversy was sparked after a viral video surfaced showing Sammy Gyamfi presenting what appeared to be US dollars to the controversial Evangelist, Nana Agradaa.
The footage drew sharp criticism, especially from the Minority in Parliament, who described the act as “inappropriate” and demanded Sammy Gyamfi’s immediate suspension.
Amid the backlash, Nana Agradaa took to Instagram Live to defend Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, saying she was “deeply concerned” that the gesture could ruin his political career.
Her sentiments were echoed by some political watchers, who called for a balanced approach. According to the Minister in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the President has considered all sides and believes the steps already taken are sufficient.
“The President has called for an end to the controversy surrounding the case. He has asked that Sammy Gyamfi be given the chance to continue his work,” he said.
The acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board is said to have given personal assurances to both the President and the Chief of Staff that the incident would not happen again.
“He has given assurance to the President and the Chief of Staff that the incident will not be repeated,” Kwakye Ofosu added.
While there is no explicit legal provision indicating a violation of public conduct in this case, the Presidency acknowledges the concerns of Ghanaians and sees the public apology and formal caution as sufficient disciplinary response.
“There is no specific provision in violation of his conduct. But we agree with Ghanaians who were against it. We believe that the caution is enough for his conduct,” Kwakye Ofosu clarified.
The Minister in Charge of Government Communications further explained the framework of the code of conduct for public officials, stating that it provides for a progressive discipline model.
“The code of conduct is meant for public officials who violate it. The first punishment is a public apology.
“Secondly, the need for caution, which is also part of punishment and which we believe will deter others from repeating the same thing.”
With the President’s remarks now made public, the controversy appears to have been officially resolved, with Sammy Gyamfi expected to continue his duties without further sanctions.
The Presidency’s call for caution, however, sends a strong signal about the expectations for responsible behavior by all government officials.
Asonaba Nana Wiredu - Deputy Secretary of Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana
Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (CDAG) have threatened a nationwide strike action if provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations Act, 2012, which prohibits trading on roads, pavements and at designated bus stops are not enforced.
The Commercial transport operators have threatened to embark on industrial strike action on Monday, May 19, 2025 if “concrete steps” are not taken to enforce the traffic regulation.
The Deputy Secretary of CDAG, Asonaba Nana Wiredu, who disclosed this intention on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 has urged the government to take steps to enforce the provisions ofthe Act.
The strike, which is spearheaded by Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), CDAG and the True Drivers’ Union seeks to address the need for designated parking spaces within the various Central Business Districts (CBD) across the nation.
Asonaba Nana Wiredu, in an interview yesterday, with a Kumasi-based radio station, Otec FM,
said the focal point of their concerns was the Sub-regulation 117 of the Act.
It states explicitly states that, “A person shall not sell, display, offer for sale or deliver under a sale, goods on or alongside a road; on a pedestrian walkway; within thirty metres of a railway level crossing; under a road traffic sign denoting a blind corner or rise on; within an intersection; or on or alongside a road including a toll booth and a plaza”.
The offence attracts a charge of either 50 penalty unit (GHC12 per unit) or not more than three months sentence, or both.
Nana Wiredu noted that despite the provisions of the law, authorities have failed to enforce it, allowing widespread disregard of the regulation, which ongoing violation of the law is putting both drivers and passengers at risk.
The Deputy Scribe noted that a vehicle is a “mechanical unit” that can develop a fault at any given time, resulting in the driver losing control and running over pedestrians, adding that this negligence of the law has led to unsafe road conditions and worsened traffic congestion in many parts of the country.
He also noted that new markets being developed and developed, do not factor in designated parking spaces for vehicles.
In the face of the concerns raised, Asonaba Nana Wiredu has urged the Ghana Police and the government to enforce the law and take decisive action against traders who flout these regulations to facilitate the easy movement of vehicles within various CBDs to avoid accidents from human error.
He stressed that if authorities fail to address their concerns, the aggrieved transport unions will proceed on the industrial action strike as scheduled.
Captain Depaul Kwabena Heavens (middle) presenting the physical cash to Dr. Kojo Tambi, Medical Director of Effia-Nkwanta Hospital
Depaul Kwabena Heavens, the second in command to Kennedy Agyapong’s Security campaign team has presented an amount of GHC40,000 to Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital for the purchase of an Incubator.
Captain Depaul Heavens presented the physical cash to the hospital, which was received by the Medical Director of the facility, Dr. Kojo Tambil.
Presenting the cash, Depaul Heavens, who indicated he was the personal bodyguard to politician Kennedy Agyapong, a former Member of Parliament for Assin Central and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, said he decided to purchase the Incubator in honour of his boss, Kennedy Agyapong.
The presentation also coincided with Captain Depaul Heavens’ birthday, which fell on Tuesday, May 2025.
According to him, having been nurtured by Ken Agyapong, he has learnt a lot about the politician.
“When you understudy a person, you either become like the person or learn good qualities about the person”.
With Kennedy Agyapong noted for coming to the aid of the deprived in society, Depaul Heavens said he had learnt a lot from him, hence his decision to donate the Incubator.
Giving reasons why he decided to purchase the Incubator, he said he was listening to a local radio station in Takoradi, when the station lamented about the shortage of Incubators at the Referral hospital.
He contacted the host of the show, who reached out to the Medical Director of the hospital, leading to the presentation of the Incubator.
Dr. Kojo Tambil, who received the cash donation for the purchase of the Incubator, thanked the donor for the gesture.
According to him, the management of the hospital would shop for an Incubator with a good specification.
He commended Capt. Depaul Heavens for coming to the aid of the hospital. He further commended Depaul Heavens for learning from the good side of his boss who is noted for charity work and extending same to the hospital.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command, which is determined to clampdown on criminals activities in the region has conducted a swoop and arrested a number of suspected criminals especially in Kumasi metropolis.
Some of the apprehended suspects
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Godwin Ahianyo, the Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer explained that the police successfully arrested three suspected armed robbers who have been terrorizing residents of Kenyasi and its environs.
According to him, on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at about 1:00 pm, three armed men, Umar Issah, 26, Sherif Mohammed, 20 and Abdul Jalelu,19, operating on three separate motorbikes attacked and robbed two residents and took the victims’ mobile phones in the Kenyasi area.
He stated that the swift action by the Kenyasi Police Patrol Team, led to the arrest of the suspects after one of them – Sherif Mohammed – had sustained a gunshot wound in the right rib during the pursuit while the others also suffered various degrees of injury.
The Police official mouthpiece disclosed that all three suspects are currently receiving medical treatment under strict police guard at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
Deadly weapons retrieved from the suspects
He indicated that the stolen mobile phones and the motorbikes used in the robbery have been retrieved and are being held for evidential purposes as investigations continue.
In another development, DSP Ahianyo revealed that the Airport District Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old suspect, Adam Mohammed on Saturday, May 10 2025 during a special police operation conducted at Aboabo No.1.
He was involved in the illegal trade of narcotic substances.
Items retrieved from the suspect’s room included 35 packs of 250mg Tramadol, 28 packs of 120mg Tramadol and 11 packs of 225 mg Tramadol, 50 empty cartons used for packaging and transporting the drugs and an amount of GHS 66,950.00.
According to him, the cash is believed to be proceeds from the sale of the illicit drugs and has been retrieved for evidential purposes.
He said the suspect is currently in police custody and assisting with investigations, adding that all exhibits, including the narcotic substances and the cash, have been secured for further investigation and legal proceedings.
In yet another related development, the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region announced a breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District, following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025 for which one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, 32, was apprehended.
Narcotics Drugs and money found on the suspects
According to him, the suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
The police said the suspect, during interrogation, confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah and surrounding areas using knives, pistols and pump-action guns in their operations.
Mr. Ahianyo disclosed that further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his unemployed accomplices, namely, Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, 30, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, 31, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man; Sudais Rhano Okyere, alias Demon from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
One suspect, simply known as Abedi, is still at large, as efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.All five arrested suspects were put before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025, and were remanded into police custody to reappear on June 4, 2025.
The Police Public Relations Officer reaffirmed the Regional Police Command’s unwavering commitment to the fight against drug-related crimes and protect lives and property.
He noted that the latest operation, undertaken in response to the directive of the Interior Minister, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, to reclaim Thinka Island from the grips of illicit drug activists and criminal elements.
He commended the efforts of the Regional Operations team and the Drug Law Enforcement Unit for their swift and decisive action.
The arrest of 34 suspects and the seizure of various suspected illegal substances demonstrate their resolve to ensure public safety.
DSP Ahianyo disclosed that all suspects remain in custody while investigations continue with retrieved exhibits being processed for forensic examination and prosecution in accordance with the law.
He stressed that the Command will tirelessly undertake similar operations across the region to dismantle drug networks and restore peace in the communities.
The Ghana Police Service says it has conducted a series of anti-galamsey operations in various communities affected by illegal mining activities since the fight against the canker started in March, this year.
Generators
According to the Service, in a special anti-galamsey operations conducted at Samreboi, along the Tano River, Wassa Dunkwa, Tigarikrom and surrounding communities – all in the Western Region, it arrested fifty-eight (58) suspects comprising fifty (50) Ghanaians and eight Chinese in connection with illegal mining activities and retrieved eighty five (85) excavators and three (3) bulldozers.
Motorbikes
Similar anti-galamsey operations have been carried out by various Regional Police Commands across the regions as follows;
The Western Regional Police Command has arrested 19 suspects and retrieved three (3) escavators and three (3) pump action guns among other exhibits.
The Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested seven (7) Ghanaian suspects and retrieved eleven (11) changfangs and three (3) motorbikes among other exhibits.
The Eastern South Regional Police Command Region has also arrested twenty-four (24) suspects including one (1) Burkinabe and retrieved five (5) excavators, three (3) single barrel guns and one (1) pump action gun among other exhibits.
The Western Central Regional Police Command has similarly arrested eighty- five (85) suspects comprising seventy six (76) Ghanaians and nine (9) Chinese and also retrieved eleven (11) excavators and other exhibits.
The Eastern North Regional Police Command also arrested fifteen (15) suspects including one (1) Chinese and retrieved four (4) excavator control boards, nine (9) monitors and one (1) pistol among other exhibits.
In all, a total of 208 suspects have been arrested and 99 excavators, 3 bulldozers, 4 pump-action guns, 3 single-barrel guns, 1 pistol, 11 changfangs together with several other exhibits including vehicles, motorbikes, tricycles, generators, gold detectors and pumping machines have been received by the Police.
All the suspects are being taken through the due processes of the law. The Ghana Police Service assures the public of its commitment to fighting illegal mining and preserving the country’s natural resources.
The KIA truck transporting the dynamite cables from Accra which experienced brake failure and fell on its side
The deadly road crash on Tuesday, this week, has once again thrown the spotlight on the dangers posed to travellers using the Memfi-Koforidua road.
The accident occurred at Amanprobi, a community near Mampong in the Akuapem NorthMunicipality, when a KIA truck transporting dynamite cables from Accra reportedly experienced brake failure.
The truck, which was descending a section of the road, lost control and collided head-on with a Toyota Land Cruiser (V8).
Following the collision, the KIA truck caught fire. Fortunately, the two mates in the KIA truck managed to escape by jumping out just before the fire engulfed the vehicle. Eyewitnesses described the scene as very chaotic.
However, the driver of the KIA truck was not so fortunate, as he is believed to have died instantly from the impact.
His body was later retrieved by personnel from the Ghana Police Service and sent to a nearby mortuary for preservation and identification.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service and the Ghana Police Service arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and managed to douse the flames and prevented the fire from spreading to nearby properties or vehicles.
The injured were swiftly transported to medical facilities for emergency treatment.
Preliminary investigations by the Ghana National Fire Service and the Ghana Police Service suggest the KIA driver might have been attempting to avoid security checkpoints on the Accra-Kumasi highway, possibly due to the nature of the cargo – dynamite cables – which require specific permits and careful handling.
Unconfirmed reports say the driver deliberately diverted onto the Koforidua-Bunso Road, using the Mamfi-Koforidua route as an alternative path to bypass law enforcement checkpoints.
A Road in Crisis
The Mamfi-Koforidua Road has long been described by commuters and transport operators as a “death trap” due to its winding nature.
Residents and commuters are now renewing calls on the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), and other stakeholders to address the deteriorating conditions of the road and implement stricter controls for vehicles carrying hazardous materials.
Call for Urgent Government Intervention
Local leaders and transport unions have expressed their frustration at the continued neglect of the area’s transport infrastructure.
They are urging government and relevant authorities to take immediate steps to reconstruct and expand critical sections of the road, install speed ramps, warning signs at sharp bends.
Other steps stakeholders have proposed are enforcement of stricter regulations for vehicles carrying hazardous material.
