Search Results for “1'” – Fiila Fm

Black Queens nominated for Women’s Team of the Year ahead of 2026 CAF Awards

Tonaldo — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 14:38:16 +0000

The West African giants were selected for the award after an impressive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this year, where the team reached the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Ghana will face competition from African champions Cameroon, runners-up Malawi and host of the WAFCON Morocco, South Africa, and former Champions Nigeria.

Cameroon have been recognised following their historic triumph at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where the Indomitable Lionesses were crowned African champions.

The remaining nominees are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali, completing a 10-team shortlist for the award.

The competition brings together national teams from different regions of Africa, with each country hoping to claim recognition for its achievements and contributions to women’s football.

The winner will be announced at the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

Ibrahim Tanko proud to serve despite Black Stars’ AFCON qualifying struggles

Tonaldo — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 10:59:22 +0000

Ghana endured a disappointing start to their Group C campaign, losing 2-0 to Ivory Coast in Bouake before suffering a shock 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The two successive defeats led to the departure of head coach Carlos Queiroz, leaving the Black Stars in search of a new technical direction.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation have since constituted a five-member committee to recommend a substantive head coach for the national team.

In the interim, Kim Lars Björkegren has been appointed to lead the technical team, with Tanko, Godwin Attram and Fatau Dauda serving as his assistants ahead of Ghana’s upcoming doubleheader against Somalia.

Tanko, who also serves as head coach of Medeama SC, says he considers his involvement with the national team a privilege, despite the challenges facing the Black Stars.

“I am proud to be one of those who can help Ghana in this very tough situation,” he told Joy Sports.

“For me, national duty is something special. I have served Ghana in different capacities, and whenever the opportunity comes to contribute, I see it as a privilege.

“The situation may be challenging, but we must be ready to give our best,” he added.

Ghana will host Somalia in the first encounter on Thursday, November 12, before the two sides meet again on November 16. Both matches are scheduled to take place in Ghana.

The interim technical team is expected to announce its squad this week as preparations intensify for the crucial encounters.

The Black Stars currently sit bottom of Group C without a point after their opening two matches and will be under pressure to secure maximum points against Somalia to revive their qualification hopes.

The four-time African champions are also eager to return to the continental showpiece after missing the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Black Stars must remain focused on Somalia games, says Ibrahim Tanko

Tonaldo — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 10:49:02 +0000

Ghana are scheduled to face Somalia in back-to-back Group C encounters later this month, with the two matches offering an opportunity to get their qualification campaign back on track.

The four-time African champions have endured a difficult start to the qualifiers, losing their opening two matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

The Black Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in Bouake before recording a shock 4-2 loss to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium, despite establishing a two-goal advantage.

With Ghana rooted to the bottom of Group C without a point, Tanko insists the immediate priority is to secure maximum points against Somalia before turning attention to their remaining fixtures.

“We cannot afford to look too far ahead without first taking care of the immediate task,” he told Joy Sports.

“The Somalia matches are our priority. If we can get the right results and build momentum, we can approach the next qualifiers with renewed confidence,” he added.

Ghana will host Somalia in the first encounter on Thursday, November 12, before the two sides meet again on November 16. Both fixtures are expected to take place in Ghana.

The interim technical team, led by Kim Lars Björkegren, is expected to announce its squad this week as preparations intensify for the crucial double-header.

The Black Stars are under mounting pressure to turn their fortunes around after missing the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.

Ghana endured a disastrous qualifying campaign for that tournament, finishing bottom of their group without recording a single victory.

They will be determined to avoid another disappointing outcome and keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON alive.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Black Stars must rediscover belief ahead of Somalia double-header, says Ibrahim Tanko

Tonaldo — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 10:40:53 +0000

Ghana are preparing for a crucial Group C double-header against Somalia later this month, with the two encounters offering an opportunity to get their qualification campaign back on track.

The four-time African champions have endured a difficult start to the qualifiers, suffering consecutive defeats against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

Those results have left the Black Stars bottom of Group C without a point, putting them under considerable pressure to secure maximum points from their upcoming fixtures.

Despite the disappointing start, Tanko believes Ghana possess enough quality to turn their fortunes around but insists the players must develop a stronger sense of collective responsibility.

“Ghana has a very good squad, with quality players who can compete,” he told Joy Sports.

“What matters is getting everyone to believe in the collective objective, understanding the responsibility of wearing the national colours and translating our potential into performances on the pitch.”

Ghana will host Somalia in the first encounter on Thursday, November 12, before the two sides meet again on November 16. Both matches are expected to be played in Ghana.

The interim technical team, led by Kim Lars Björkegren, is expected to announce its squad this week as preparations gather momentum ahead of the decisive double-header.

The Black Stars are desperate to secure a return to the continental showpiece after missing the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

Ghana endured a disastrous qualifying campaign for the previous tournament, finishing bottom of their group without recording a single victory.

With the 2027 edition set to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the Black Stars cannot afford further setbacks if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.

For Tanko and the interim technical team, the immediate priority is to rebuild confidence, strengthen the team’s collective mentality and ensure Ghana’s quality is reflected in their performances on the pitch.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

Man guilty of stealing cash from farm owned by South African president

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:43:11 +0000

A court in South Africa has found a man guilty of stealing more than $500,000 (£372,822) in cash from a farm owned by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, in a case that mired the head of state in an impeachment saga.

Imanuwela David was found guilty of theft on Monday, as well as conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal at Phala Phala farm in the Limpopo province in 2020.

Froliana Joseph, a cleaner at the property, was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal.

Her brother, Ndilinasho Joseph, was acquitted on all charges.

David was accused of breaking into the cattle farm in February 2020 and taking $580,000 (£432,000) in cash from a sofa on the property. David then went on a spending spree, buying a range of cars including three Mercedes – among them one for his girlfriend – a Porsche, two Volkswagens as well as diamond-encrusted Rolex watches and a house.

David told the court he had made the money through businesses including diamonds and Bitcoin, claims the court rejected. The court also found that David was the only one of the two convicted who had any of the stolen cash in his bank account.

Pre-sentencing will take place on 13 November.

There have been many twists and turns in what is known as the Farmgate scandal.

The theft was largely unknown until 2022 when it was brought to light by Arthur Fraser, South Africa’s former intelligence chief and an ally for the former president Jacob Zuma, when he claimed that Ramaphosa hid the theft from the police and tax authorities.

Ramaphosa admitted the theft took place but denied any wrongdoing.

An independent panel that same year found Ramaphosa could have questions to answer over the burglary. MPs voted against establishing an impeachment inquiry.

In May this year, the constitutional court ruled that parliament had acted unlawfully by shelving the panel’s report, and in July Ramaphosa blocked the parliamentary inquiry through a provincial court.

Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s request to stop California counting disputed votes

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:41:28 +0000

The US Supreme Court has rejected a last-minute request by the Trump administration asking it to intervene in California’s midterm election vote count.

The justice department wanted 20,000 ballots to be set aside that it alleged may have been issued to non-US citizens in the state.

Two lower courts had already rejected the request. State election officials had questioned the federal government’s claims – saying the process used to identify alleged non-citizens was inaccurate.

The Monday ruling comes on the eve of the midterms, which will determine which political party controls the US Congress for the last two years of President Donald Trump’s second term.

The Supreme Court announced its decision in a one-line order, saying it was denying the justice department’s request for an injunction.

“The application for injunction pending appeal presented to Justice Kagan and by her referred to the Court is denied,” it reads.

Its means rulings made in lower courts will stand and essentially ends the Trump administration’s bid to disqualify the ballots.

California is the most populous state in America with some 23 million people on its voting register. As of Sunday night, more than six million mail-in ballots had already been received, according to the California secretary of state’s office.

The justice department sent letters to the California secretary of state and Los Angeles County Registrar last month, demanding they set aside the ballots of 20,000 registered voters whom the Trump administration “believe” are “likely” non-citizens, according to court documents.

About a week later, armed officials from the Department of Homeland Security delivered letters to county officials and employees across California threatening criminal charges if they didn’t sequester those ballots.

In a 22-page brief reviewed by the BBC, the justice department maintained that ballots cast by non-citizens could “debase or dilute valid votes”.

On Friday, a federal appeals court declined the government’s request to segregate the ballots.

California election officials have questioned the accuracy of the government’s claims, and have said the list of names the government has provided is riddled with inaccuracies.

They have expressed concern that eligible voters could be disenfranchised and said segregating ballots whilst voting is underway is unfeasible.

The attempts are a part of a years-long campaign by Trump and his administration to fight alleged voter fraud that they believe is widespread, despite research showing that it is extremely rare.

President Trump has repeatedly claimed that Democrats steal elections by allowing immigrants to vote illegally, and he blames much of it on the so-called “mail-in” or postal voting that is permitted in many Democratic states.

Last week in a scathing ruling, district judge David Carter said the government’s move in California was indicative of an “ongoing pattern of attempted election interference” on the part of the Trump administration.

The judge added that “never before in American history has the federal government, on the eve of an election, sought to coerce a state and local government to abandon their own constitutional elections procedures and bend to the will of the executive branch”.

Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC

GJA President calls on Education Minister to address impunity in schools

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:34:12 +0000

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, as part of activities marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, has called on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to address concerns about accountability in the education sector following recent incidents at Obuasi and Techiman schools.

Speaking at the announcement of nominees for the GJA Awards at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra on Monday, November 2, Mr Dwumfour cited the Obuasi Senior High Technical School controversy and the reported assault of a student at Techiman Senior High School as examples of impunity that require attention.

“The alleged sexual abuse of the SHS female student by the interdicted headmaster is deeply troubling. The GJA finds these allegations very shocking and calls for swift investigation into the matter by the relevant investigative agencies,” he said.

He further noted that the sanctions meted out to the culprit are not enough, calling on the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Education Ministry and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ensure justice.

“We understand that Zakaria Abdulai, the alleged culprit, has been interdicted and has also resigned and abandoned his political journey. But that is not enough. We can’t just sit back and say that because he has resigned his position as the secretary or constituency secretary, that is all, that is enough. NDC is a democratic institution and they have a code of ethics or disciplinary code. They should invoke it immediately to sanction this culprit,” he said.

On the violent assault of the 17-year-old student by two teachers at Techiman Senior High School, he called on the Education Minister to ensure the issue is properly dealt with.

“What kind of impunity is happening in our education sector? We condemn this impunity in no uncertain terms and want to call on the Education Minister, the respected Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, to sit up. This cannot happen under his watch. We are confident that he can bring calm, serenity and discipline into our educational system,” he said.

The GJA President’s call places renewed focus on accountability, student protection and the responsibility of education authorities to address alleged misconduct within schools.

The Association says it is waiting for the outcome of the investigation into the case and is keenly monitoring where it ends.

They say the advocacy has been taken over by them and will not end, as it is their mandate to represent the marginalised as a constitutional mandate.

Source:Fiilafmonline/3News

NIA to launch mobile app for Ghana Card biometric verification

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:30:50 +0000

The National Identification Authority (NIA) is set to roll out a mobile application to enable individuals and small businesses to verify identities using the Ghana Card biometric system.

The development follows a directive by the Authority prohibiting the photocopying, scanning and visual inspection (ocular checks) of the Ghana Card as part of efforts to enforce the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523).

The application is expected to make biometric verification more accessible to individuals and businesses that may not meet the requirements for accessing the NIA’s main verification platform.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 2, 2026, the NIA’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the application would provide a simple “yes or no” response to confirm whether an individual’s identity matched the details presented.

He explained that institutions seeking access to the Authority’s main verification platform were required to obtain certification from the Data Protection Commission, a process that could be financially and administratively challenging for some individuals and small businesses.

“Those who will have the certification, we have a platform we get them on-boarded onto. Those who would not have it, we have developed an app, a mobile app for them, where you can get a yes or no,” he said.

Mr Darlas further explained that the cost of accessing the main verification platform would depend on the workflow and requirements of each institution, disclosing that some institutions paid as little as 10 pesewas per verification.

“The cost for getting on-boarded onto the verification platform, some institutions are paying as low as 10 pesewas for verification services to the National Identification Authority. So it is not much, depending on the workflow of your institution,” he said.

He said the mobile application had been developed to bridge the access gap and extend biometric identity verification services to a wider section of the public.

Mr Darlas also assured Ghanaians that measures had been put in place to safeguard personal information and prevent unauthorised disclosure through the application.

“The app will not expose any Ghanaian to identity fraud. We are a tech institution, so we are very careful about what we introduce to the public. Ghanaians must be rest assured that with the mobile app, their information is still secure,” he said.

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews

Parliament resumes today; 2027 Budget, Anti-Gay Bill top agenda

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:28:06 +0000

Parliament is expected to resume sitting today, Tuesday, November 3, for the Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, with key legislative and national policy matters expected to dominate proceedings.

The meeting is expected to be significant, particularly as the House prepares to consider major fiscal proposals for the 2027 financial year, alongside other legislative matters with important implications for the country’s governance and development.

One of the major highlights will be the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on November 12.

The presentation is expected to outline the government’s economic priorities, revenue and expenditure projections, fiscal targets, and policy interventions for the coming year. It will also provide an indication of the government’s plans for addressing the country’s economic challenges, sustaining growth, managing public debt and improving the living conditions of Ghanaians.

Following the presentation, Members of Parliament are expected to scrutinise the proposed budget, with the various parliamentary committees examining allocations to ministries, departments and agencies under their respective jurisdictions.

The budget consideration process will provide lawmakers with the opportunity to assess the government’s spending priorities, question proposed allocations and make recommendations before the House proceeds to consider and approve the Appropriation Bill.

The passage of the Appropriation Bill will also be a crucial part of the meeting, as it will provide the legal authority for the government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund to finance approved public expenditure for the 2027 financial year.

Beyond the budget, Parliament is also expected to revisit the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-Gay Bill.

The proposed legislation has remained a subject of intense national and international debate, attracting considerable attention from political actors, religious organisations, civil society groups and human rights advocates.

Its possible return to the parliamentary agenda is expected to renew discussions about the country’s position on issues relating to sexual orientation, family values, human rights and the legislative process.

The bill has previously generated significant controversy, with proponents arguing that it is necessary to protect Ghanaian cultural and family values, while critics have raised concerns about its human rights implications and potential legal consequences.

Lawmakers are therefore expected to face renewed scrutiny over how the proposed legislation will be handled during the meeting.

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews

Ghana Reference Rate falls to 10.01%, signalling further relief for borrowers

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:26:26 +0000

The Ghana Reference Rate (GRR), a key benchmark commercial banks use to price loans, has fallen to 10.01% for November 2026, signalling potential relief for borrowers.

JoyBusiness calculations, based on the industry-approved formula and market data, put the rate below the 10.04% recorded in October.

The latest movement extends the benchmark’s downward trend since September, although the November reduction is marginal at 0.03 percentage points.

Market information obtained by JoyBusiness also indicates that some customers are securing consumer loans at rates of around 9%, below the GRR, as banks compete for business.

Reasons and impact on cost of credit

Market players attribute the decline largely to a marginal reduction in Treasury bill rates over the past month. The other components used to calculate the benchmark—the monetary policy rate and interbank rate—remained unchanged.

The lower GRR could reduce borrowing costs for customers whose variable-rate loans are linked to the benchmark. Any adjustment will depend on their facilities’ terms and repricing schedules.

Borrowers with such loans may have benefited from successive reductions since September. However, the GRR is a reference point, not the final interest rate charged to every customer.

New borrowers could also benefit from the lower benchmark, depending on their credit profile and the bank’s pricing terms.

Customers with fixed-rate loans are unlikely to see an automatic reduction in their repayments.

Market participants say some individuals and businesses with strong credit histories are already securing single-digit lending rates. They also expect further easing as the government pursues measures to reduce the cost of credit.

Tracking the decline and movement in 2026

The Ghana Reference Rate has moved in mixed directions this year.

It stood at 11.71% in March before falling to 10.06% in April. It eased further to 10.03% in May and 10.02% in June.

The benchmark then rose to 10.59% in July and 10.61% in August.

It subsequently declined to 10.18% in September and 10.04% in October, before reaching the calculated November rate of 10.01%.

The GRR provides a common reference point for loan pricing across the banking sector. Commercial banks use it alongside other pricing considerations to determine the interest rates on credit facilities.

Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyBuss