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What next for Andre Ayew? – A potential GFA president?

Tonaldo — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:33:49 +0000

He became an integral part of the Black Stars and made his first World Cup appearance in 2010 in South Africa, where the team reached the quarterfinals for the first time. Andre kept Sulley Muntari, a key player for the team, on the bench due to his energy, passion and determination to succeed until the quarterfinal game against Uruguay.

Having played in the 2010, 2014 and 2022 World Cups in South Africa, Brazil and Qatar, respectively, Andre also played in multiple Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments and was part of the squad that played in the 2010 and 2015 finals, where the Black Stars finished as runners-up to Egypt and Ivory Coast, respectively.

The former West Ham United, Swansea City and Al Sadd forward remains the player with the most caps for the senior national team, having played under several head coaches, with his last appearance for the team coming against Mozambique during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the team suffered a group phase elimination. However, following the reappointment of Otto Addo in March 2024, Andre’s future with the national team dominated the headlines for the wrong reasons after he was constantly left out of the squad by the former Borussia Dortmund assistant coach.

It was also reported that Otto Addo explained to Andre that he was not going to be part of his plans while he was actively playing for French side Le Havre. Indeed, Andre did not have a single minute in spite of torrid and difficult times and failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite the calls for his return to the team.

With the technical team being improved ahead of the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers, Andre was still left out of the team. Ghana, however, secured their fifth ticket to compete on the world stage without Andre making a return to the team.

Having spent the first half of last season without a club, Andre Ayew made a return to play active football after joining Dutch side NAC Breda to help the side to keep their status in the Dutch Eredivisie. However, at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, Breda were relegated, which forced the club to release Andre.

There were massive calls for Andre’s return to the Black Stars squad for the World Cup in North America due to his rich experience having played in three World Cups. However, Andre was left out of Ghana’s final 26-man squad for the tournament.

Despite being overlooked for the World Cup, Andre has always been one of the players who has offered his support to the various national teams. He has constantly kept in touch with his teammates in the team and has constantly visited the Black Queens, Black Princesses, Black Maidens and other national teams.

With his rich experience and passion, Andre has been tipped by many to consider contesting for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) presidency in the near future. Currently training and playing with Nania FC, a club which belongs to his father, Abedi Pele, some have also proposed that Andre should contest for a seat on the Executive Council before pushing to assume the role of president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

With former footballers across the continent and Europe aiming to assume roles at their various Football Associations, Andre Ayew’s hidden ambitions must be welcomed and guided since he would be a perfect leader to lead and elevate the standard of football in the West African country.

Perhaps, Andre’s leadership, if it happens, could lead Ghana to clinch its fifth AFCON trophy and become the first African country to win the World Cup.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

South Africa investigates death of Nigerian who collapsed during arrest

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:56:09 +0000

The South African authorities are investigating the death of a Nigerian man who collapsed while he was being arrested by police in Cape Town last week.

The initial results from a post-mortem showed that Ibeh Chika Simon, 42, “sustained multiple bruises and abrasions on his back and chest”, according to the independent body that oversees police conduct.

Nigerian diplomat Ninikanwa Okey-Uche said her country was “deeply appalled by reports of the egregious police tactics that led to his death” on Thursday.

In its statement, Western Cape police said Simon died while he “was being placed under arrest [as] he allegedly became unwell and collapsed”.

Simon’s death comes amid heightened tensions between South Africa and Nigeria over allegations that Nigerians have been the target of xenophobic violence.

Earlier this month, the South African authorities confirmed the death of another Nigerian in June under similar circumstances.

In her statement condemning Simon’s death, Okey-Uche, Nigeria’s consul general in Johannesburg, called for a “transparent” investigation and alleged that there was “an alarming pattern of unresolved extrajudicial killings/deaths and unacceptable misconduct against foreign nationals”.

“Suspects are entitled to due process in a court of law; no authority should be above it”.

She also said there were reports that another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, was shot during same the operation and was in hospital with serious injuries. The Western Cape police said there was “no record of the incident”.

Describing the circumstances of Simon’s death, Western Cape police spokesperson Col Andre Traut, said that officers were conducting a search at a home in the area when they found an unlicensed firearm and what appeared to be drugs.

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As they moved to arrest Simon, he “collapsed”. Paramedics were called to the scene and he was “declared deceased at the scene”.

Speaking to the BBC on Monday, Nigeria’s foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa described the incident as “a very unfortunate situation”.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is now looking into what happened.

South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, during its regular public update on the country’s approach to migration management on Sunday, also confirmed that the matter was being investigated.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the committee, said that during the police operation in Cape Town last Thursday “some foreign nationals… were resisting law enforcement operations”.

In June, Nigeria’s foreign ministry reported the death of Emeka Charles Iroegbu, also allegedly at the hands of South Africa’s police. Ipid is also investigating that incident.

Diplomatic tensions have also grown between South Africa and Ghana following claims that a Ghanaian man was killed during anti-migrant protests in South Africa, allegations South African officials have rejected.

Ghana was the first African country to repatriate citizens from South Africa at the start of the recent wave of anti-migrant protests.

Two Ghanaian nationals have also petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged attacks against migrants in South Africa. The petition alleges there has been a “pattern of widespread and systematic attacks” against foreigners, arguing the violence could amount to crimes against humanity.

The South African government has rejected the petition as “opportunistic”, saying it does not meet the ICC’s legal threshold and that its own courts are capable of addressing such cases. The ICC has not said whether it will consider the request.

Last week, leaders of the West African regional bloc Ecowas condemned reported attacks on African migrants in South Africa, as Nigeria and Ghana raised the issue at a summit in Sierra Leone. They called on South African authorities to act quickly to protect foreign nationals.

South Africa has said it “categorically reject[s] xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and intolerance and discrimination in all their manifestations”. President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged concerns over migration but has urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands.

Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC

A Nigerian soldier is arrested for tipping off criminals – but does it go deeper?

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:46:05 +0000

A Nigerian soldier has been arrested over allegations he supplied military uniforms to “terrorist” and “criminal” groups, the army says.

Private Mohammed Yusuf was caught on Saturday evening at a bus stop in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, military spokesperson Mohammed Goni said the following day.

The soldier, who was previously stationed at a factory for army equipment, was allegedly attempting to flee across the border into neighbouring Cameroon.

He deserted his unit earlier this month, Goni said, before relocating to Maiduguri, where he went into hiding with the help of an “associate”.

Yusuf has not publicly commented on the case against him, but the arrest has reignited speculation that collusion could be the reason behind rampant insecurity in the country.

A variety of armed groups – including militant Islamists, separatists and gangs who kidnap civilians for ransom – have been causing problems for the authorities, and some of them deceptively wear military uniforms.

The suspect was arrested trying to flee into neighbouring Cameroon, the army says

Now, in a nation that for over a decade has been blighted by armed attacks on civilians, people are wondering whether these assaults are failing to subside because criminal elements and security personnel are working together.

It is not unreasonable to believe some of these groups are being assisted by military personnel, Bashir Galma, a security analyst and retired army major, told the BBC.

“I know there have been instances where plans are made for an attack on a location and the information finds its way to either [militant Islamist group] Boko Haram or another criminal gang,” he said, suggesting an insider tip-off.

At least 3,000 kidnappings and 3,580 killings by armed groups took place between January 2024 and April 2025 alone, data from Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission records

The alarming surge in mass abductions has been attributed to gunmen known locally as bandits, as well as insurgent attacks from Boko Haram and its offshoot, Iswap.

Attacks on schools have also been making the headlines, although this has been a problem for years. Between April 2014 and May 2026, there were 26 major school attacks with at least 2,416 students abducted, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) says.

Ransom payments are estimated to run into millions of dollars annually, according to official data.

In April 2025, the governor of Nigeria’s embattled Borno state, Babagana Zulum, alleged that informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents were operating within the country’s armed forces, political class and local communities.

“What we need to do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly,” he said during a security meeting.

Months later, a special court-martial sentenced three Nigerian soldiers to life imprisonment for their involvement in a major arms and ammunition racketeering scheme. The army said they were guilty of theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, and “aiding the enemy”.

Security analyst Galma told the BBC he believes poor pay breeds such corruption within soldiers. There is also the “issue of ideology” – some personnel might hold a secret allegiance to other groups, he said.

A current serving soldier, who spoke to the BBC on the condition of anonymity, admitted that there have been instances of soldiers “caught dealing with the other side” but said such matters are often “hushed and dealt with internally”.

One man, freed after his family paid a 57m naira ($42,000; £31,000) ransom, described a disturbing scene upon his release.

“They dropped us off in one location and there were security personnel who they shook hands and laughed with,” he told the BBC, asking not to be named.

He believes the security forces he saw may have received a portion of the ransom, though he has no proof that this was the case.

Farmer Yahuza Isa, who was kidnapped in Zamfara state, expressed the frustration shared by many victims.

“I myself know where these criminals are,” he said. “So why not deal with them completely?”

Another survivor, who endured a 30-day ordeal in late 2024, said he suspected collusion “at a much higher level”.

He described hearing a helicopter landing very close to the hidden camp where he was held blindfolded.

“The first time I heard it I was expecting that the Nigerian Air Force… had come to rescue us,” he said. “But we could hear the helicopter leaving afterwards.”

He heard it several more times, leading him to believe the gangs had some form of high-level logistical cooperation.

Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC

Interior Minister charges new Audit Committee to pursue implementation of recommendations from internal and external audit reports

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:41:50 +0000

The Ministry of the Interior has inaugurated a new Audit Committee as part of the Government’s commitment to strengthen accountability, protect the public purse and enhance corporate governance in public institutions.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak commended the outgoing Audit Committee for its “selfless dedication” and credited it for the Ministry’s strong record on financial discipline.

“I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to the outgoing chairman, Mr. Richard Ntim and members of the previous Committee for your selfless dedication in ensuring the effectiveness of the Ministry’s Audit Committee,” the Minister said.

The Minister explained that the inauguration was in line with Section 86 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), which mandates Ministries to set up Audit Committees to perform specific governance functions.

According to Section 87 of Act 921, the Committee is composed of five voting members including two from the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), one from the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, and two Directors from the Ministry. It also includes three observers, the Chief Director, Director of Finance and Chief Internal Auditor.

The Minister charged the new Committee to pursue the implementation of recommendations from internal and external audit reports, advise the Ministry on transparent financial management and support Management to ensure compliance with laws, effective risk management, and improved corporate governance.

The Minister congratulated the new members and expressed confidence that they will work together to support the vision of H.E. the President.

The Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Mr. Conrad Dumbah, commended the Ministry for the inauguration and noted the importance of an audit committee in the Ministry. He explained that the committee will strengthen internal controls, ensure proper use of public funds, and promote accountability and good corporate governance.

Source:Fiilafmonline/3News

Speaker Bagbin calls on Ghanaians to uphold integrity

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:39:55 +0000

The Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called on Ghanaians to uphold integrity and support efforts to build transparent and accountable institutions.

He said this when he, on behalf of the President, John Dramani Mahama launched the National Integrity Awards Scheme.

The scheme is under the theme, “Promoting Integrity, Celebrating Ethical Leadership and Inspiring National Development.”

According to Mr Speaker, the awards scheme is aimed at recognising individuals and institutions that demonstrate honesty, accountability and ethical leadership while promoting integrity as a key pillar of national development.

The National Integrity Awards Scheme seeks to inspire ethical conduct, strengthen public trust and celebrate those making outstanding contributions to good governance and national development.

“Ghanaians must uphold integrity and support efforts to build transparent and accountable institutions,” he said.

Similarly, the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who also spoke at the function, called on Ghanaians to make integrity a way of life, describing it as the foundation of justice, public trust and national development.

He noted that integrity is about choosing to do the right thing even when it comes at a personal cost, stressing that while individuals pay the price for integrity, the nation bears the cost of corruption.

He added that public trust in the Judiciary depends on integrity and urged Ghanaians to uphold honesty and accountability in all aspects of life.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie welcomed the National Integrity Awards Scheme, saying it would encourage ethical leadership and inspire more people to choose integrity.

He also pledged the Judiciary’s support for efforts to strengthen accountability and public confidence in Ghana’s institutions.

Source:Fiilafmonline/3News

NDC rules out extensions for appointees seeking party positions

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:38:01 +0000

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that government appointees seeking to contest positions in the party’s internal elections will not be granted any extensions or exemptions from the deadline set for their resignation.

Under the party’s directive, members holding certain government positions who intended to contest internal party positions were required to resign at least six clear months before the opening of nominations. The deadline for compliance expired in May 2026.

The directive affected Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors and their deputies, as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

The party’s Acting Director of Elections and IT, Mahdi Jibril, has confirmed that only three appointees within the affected category have resigned so far.

Speaking to Citi News, Mr Jibril said the party would not make exceptions or extend the deadline for any government appointee who failed to comply with the directive.

“Whoever is in office after May is not qualified to contest the elections. Any CEO or Managing Director, if you are contesting the election at the national level, should resign from their position by now,” he said.

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews

Haruna Iddrisu: $300m World Bank loan not to fund Free SHS

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:35:40 +0000

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has dismissed claims that the government’s $300 million World Bank loan is intended to finance the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

His comments follow criticism from the Minority in Parliament, who argued that the loan was evidence of the government’s inability to manage the economy a few months after Ghana exited the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

The Minority had suggested that the government was seeking the facility to sustain the implementation of the Free SHS policy.

Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Monday, July 27, Mr Iddrisu rejected the assertion, explaining that the loan is aimed at addressing long-standing challenges within the secondary education sector.

He said the facility will support efforts to end the double-track system, upgrade existing schools, improve the quality of education and expand access for more students.

“We’re borrowing to expand secondary education infrastructure. Don’t forget there was secondary education before Free SHS. We have finished our review; it has come to stay,” he said.

The Education Minister outlined three major areas the government is focusing on, including infrastructure expansion, improving feeding arrangements and enhancing the quality of education.

According to him, a budgetary allocation of about GH¢3.4 billion has been made available through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) in 2026 to address feeding challenges under the Free SHS programme.

He added that the government is also focused on improving the quality of graduates by strengthening teacher professionalism, updating curriculum content and placing greater emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and information technology.

Mr Iddrisu said the World Bank facility is specifically intended to help eliminate the double-track system, which he said has affected teaching and learning time between students and teachers.

“The World Bank loan is to help us end the double-track system, which didn’t allow for qualitative enhancement in terms of time hours between teachers and students. Within the next 24 months, we should see an end to the double-track system,” he stated.

He cited schools including Prempeh College and St Peter’s Senior High School as institutions that have started making progress towards ending the double-track system.

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews

Wontumi apologises to Mahama, First Lady; appeals for clemency

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:33:52 +0000

The incarcerated Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has apologised to President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama for any disparaging remarks he made about them during the campaign ahead of the 2024 general election.

The apology comes as Wontumi serves a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction for illegal mining activities in the Samreboi Forest.

Speaking in an interview with Citi News, Wontumi’s spokesperson, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, said the former Ashanti Regional Chairman offered the apology as a gesture of goodwill and appealed to President Mahama to consider granting him clemency.

“The first call is to render an apology, and I think that is important. Former Chairman renders an apology to him if, at some stage, the conversations went overboard, which was never intended,” Boakye-Danquah said.

He, however, stressed that the apology should not be interpreted as an admission that political differences between Wontumi and President Mahama influenced the legal proceedings that resulted in his conviction.

“Not at all. We are aware that in this country there are influences. If you are able to identify those influences and begin making amends, I think we build a better society for all of us to live in,” he stated.

Boakye-Danquah maintained that the appeal for forgiveness was aimed at promoting reconciliation rather than suggesting that political considerations played any role in Wontumi’s prosecution or sentencing.

Chairman Wontumi has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after the Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court found him guilty on all six charges brought against him.

Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining Limited, and a third accused person, Kwame Antwi, were prosecuted over alleged illegal mining activities on the company’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.

According to the prosecution, the accused unlawfully assigned mineral rights on the concession without the approval of the sector minister and facilitated mining activities without the required authorisation, contrary to the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act.

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews

Otumfuo destools Kenyase No. 2 Paramount Chief

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:32:16 +0000

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has destooled the Paramount Chief of Kenyase No. 2, Nana Kwabena Nsia Ababio, over violations of Asante customs and traditions.

The decision was taken during an Asanteman Traditional Council meeting held on Monday, July 27, 2026.

The Paramount Chief was destooled alongside nearly all his kingmakers who were found to have violated their oath of office.

However, the Asantehene spared the Kontihene and reinstated the destooled Akyeame and other linguists within the traditional council.

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews

IMF describes Ghana’s ECF programme as broadly satisfactorily

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:29:24 +0000

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has described Ghana’s performance under its Economic Credit Facility-supported programme as broadly satisfactory.

According to the Fund, the government sustained reform efforts—combined with favorable commodity-price developments—have delivered substantial macroeconomic stabilisation and debt sustainability gains.

“Inflation has fallen sharply, international reserves have been rebuilt beyond programme targets, and the primary fiscal balance has swung from a large deficit to a surplus. The comprehensive debt restructuring is largely complete, and Ghana’s risk of debt distress has returned to moderate. Going forward, sustained reform implementation under the new Policy Coordination Instrument is essential to consolidate these gains and address remaining vulnerabilities”, it said.

It pointed out that maintaining fiscal discipline remains a key priority in addressing Ghana’s pressing development, social, and security needs, while safeguarding debt sustainability consistent with Ghana’s debt anchor.

“To this end, it is paramount to further strengthen domestic revenue mobilization, improve public financial and investment management, and enhance state-owned enterprise oversight, particularly in the energy and cocoa sectors, while strengthening social protection for the most vulnerable”.

It said that the Bank of Ghana has successfully anchored disinflation and rebuilt external buffers, while cautiously easing its policy stance. “Looking ahead, preserving monetary policy credibility will hinge squarely on safeguarding central bank independence, fully implementing the transfer of the domestic gold purchase programme to GoldBod, permanently discontinuing quasi-fiscal activities, and delivering on the recapitalisation plan”.

While financial sector resilience has improved, the Fund said vulnerabilities persist, particularly in some state-owned and private banks and specialised deposit-taking institutions.

Looking ahead, it wants the safeguard of financial stability, saying, it warrants decisive corrective measures, robust supervision, and finalisation of the crisis management and resolution framework. “Sustained progress on governance—including timely enactment of the reformed Conduct of Public Officials bill—will further bolster transparency, accountability, and public trust”.

Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyBuss