Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP), Ken Agyapong has lamented over the poor economic conditions in the country in recent times. According to the maverick politician, Ghanaians will be celebrating a ‘dry Christmas’ because the economy is very hard under Akufo-Addo. “What kind of dry Christmas is this? I have promised my constituents but I won’t go there this Christmas because I don’t have money…,” he confessed on Adom TV as monitored by GhanaNewsPage.Com To him, the economy has become messy under Akufo-Addo largely due to the high import duties at the ports. Former President, John Dramani Mahama has also expressed pessimism about this year’s (2018) Christmas taking into consideration what he describes as the “excruciating economic difficulties” Ghanaians are battling with under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. Speaking to supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Trade Fair Centre after submitting his nomination forms, the flagbearer aspirant said, “most Ghanaian families will go through the driest Christmas they have ever experienced in the history of Ghana.” <iframe src=”http://content.jwplatform.com/players/wnQGyxKb-GtVgZhNx.html” width=”600″ height=”375″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”auto”></iframe>
Transfer window: Man United, Arsenal, Real Madrid need defenders; Man City, PSG to wait?
The transfer window is nearly upon us, but clubs across Europe are already planning for their January business. Who will come in? Who will depart? ESPN FC’s club correspondents delve into the deals which may be on the cards. Premier League MAN CITY: In need of a holding midfielder Transfers How a transfer works With help from former Tottenham and Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli, we show you a step-by-step guide to a transfer. FC Exclusives – Arsenal want Bailly, Cahill – Pogba not for sale; Juve keen – Steffen on brink of Man City transfer – Under eyed by City, Arsenal, Chelsea – Real Madrid interested in Diaz What does the team need in January? Manchester City have two quality players for every position, with the exception of defensive midfield and left-back. The holding role in the centre of midfield is a crucial position within Pep Guardiola’s setup — acting as a pivot going forward and crucial defensively — and while Fernandinho plays the role perfectly, at the age of 33 he can’t be overplayed and any injury would be a serious setback. Benjamin Mendy is the only left-back at the club and is ruled out until February, although Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko have done a good job as replacements. Who are the major targets? Guardiola has ruled out any major new signings in the January transfer window. The City boss is aware that his squad is short in the centre of midfield and wanted Italy international Jorginho in the summer — before he opted to follow Maurizio Sarri from Napoli to Chelsea. Netherlands international Frenkie de Jong is now a leading target for the position, but with Ajax reaching the Champions League knockout stages and battling PSV for the Eredivisie title, the 21-year-old wants to wait until the summer before considering a move. City are prepared to be patient. Who will be leaving? Highly-rated young forward Brahim Diaz has turned down a new contract, and with his deal running out in the summer, he looks set to leave in the January transfer window. Sources have told ESPN that Real Madrid are leading the chase for the Spain under-21 international and are prepared to spend around £10m to show their commitment, rather than waiting until the end of the season and picking him up for free. Centre-back Eliaquim Mangala has not played this season and could leave, while fringe players Philippe Sandler and Yangel Herrera could also go out on loan. Any new contracts? City have already been busy tying up some of their most exciting young talent to new deals over the past 12 months. Guardiola has revealed that the club have opened talks with Leroy Sane over an improved contract, although the Germany winger’s current deal doesn’t run out until the summer of 2021. John Stones is also seen as part of the long-term future but is signed up until 2022. City have three players out of contract at the end of the season: Diaz turned down a new offer, and Mangala will be allowed to leave for free, which leaves captain Vincent Kompany. The 32-year-old has had injury problems in recent years, but has played his part this season. After a decade in Manchester, he wants to stay. — Jonathan Smith LIVERPOOL: Will injuries force them to spend? What does the team need in January? Liverpool’s position up until to the past few weeks has been that there would be no January incomings. Injuries, however, may force Klopp, who has been reluctant to make additions midway through a season, to reassess his thinking. Liverpool currently have just two centre-backs fit and available. Will that mean Liverpool make a move for a centre-back next month? It remains unlikely given that Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are expected to return shortly after the New Year, but Liverpool will be open to activity in January. Who are the major targets? The links to Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic, whom Liverpool have tried to sign in the past, will not go away. Sources have told ESPN FC that the U.S. star is keen on a new opportunity, with his Dortmund contract expiring in 2020 and no sign of a new deal forthcoming. However Dortmund’s stance, both publicly and privately, remains that no “essential” player will be sold in the winter as they sit atop of the Bundesliga. World Cup-winning right-back Benjamin Pavard has been linked with a move recently, although there are suggestions that the €35m release clause in his Stuttgart contract only comes into force in the summer. Who will be leaving? There should not be any high-profile departures this January. This time 12 months ago, Philippe Coutinho was gearing up towards his £142m move to Barcelona. But Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have all signed long-term contracts at Anfield in recent months. An agent for Simon Mignolet told ESPN FC that his client is seeking a move next month but appreciates that it will be difficult for Liverpool to grant that wish. Elsewhere, a number of teams desperate for a striker may take a punt on Divock Origi, and Dominic Solanke could leave on loan, having not made a single appearance this season. Any new contracts? Liverpool have been proactive in locking down top players to new contracts, but it’s a different story for Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno. Both of their contracts expire in the summer, and Moreno is expected to leave on a free transfer, with sources telling ESPN FC that his former club Sevilla are monitoring the left-back. Meanwhile, teams will be keeping close tabs on Sturridge’s betting case with the English Football Association. Sturridge has been given until February to respond his charges from the FA of allegedly breaching rules on betting. That could rumble on. — Glenn Price MAN UNITED: Quiet January ahead at Old Trafford? What does the team need in January? In terms of personnel, Manchester United need a centre-back and a right winger but more importantly, they need to find
Champions League last 16 draw: Man Utd face PSG, Liverpool land Bayern & Juventus tackle Atletico
Elsewhere, reigning champions Real Madrid will take on Ajax, Manchester City must tackle Schalke and Tottenham will battle with Borussia Dortmund Manchester United will face Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League, while Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp must tackle German opposition in the form of Bayern Munich. Manchester City take on Schalke, Tottenham battle Borussia Dortmund and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus meet Atletico Madrid. Elsewhere, Lyon have been handed the unenviable task of trying to shackle Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Roma have been paired with Porto and Ajax with reigning champions Real Madrid. The biggest tie of the round will see Jose Mourinho’s out-of-sorts Manchester United side lock horns with Ligue 1 title holders PSG. The French giants boast the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani on their books and have made no secret of their desire to complement domestic dominance with European glory. United have endured a testing 2018-19 campaign to date, but continental competition could offer welcome relief as they ready themselves for the biggest of tests. Liverpool, who reached the final of last season’s competition, are also going to have to do things the hard way if they are to prolong another challenge for the most prestigious of prizes. Bayern have not been at their best this season, with a humbling tumble from the Bundesliga summit having been endured, but they boast enough experience and quality within their ranks to trouble the Reds. Klopp’s side are flying, though, in the Premier League and will fancy their chances against anybody, particularly on memorable European nights at Anfield. Real Madrid were the side to deny Liverpool a place on the top of the podium in 2017-18, as they captured a third successive crown. Santiago Solari has been charged with the task of replicating the success enjoyed by Zinedine Zidane and can now prepare his side – who are heading to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup – for a heavyweight encounter with Ajax. The Blancos’ arch-rivals Barcelona will hope to have too much for French opponents Lyon, with club talisman Messi having returned to devastating form over recent weeks in the wake of his Ballon d’Or snub. The Argentine’s eternal rival, Portuguese superstar Ronaldo, also missed out on another Golden Ball, but is eyeing up a fourth Champions League triumph in as many years and a sixth of his remarkable career. He is now with Juventus and will find himself back in the familiar surroundings of the Spanish capital in 2019 when the Bianconeri take on Atletico Madrid. Manchester City will be looking for Pep Guardiola to mastermind a deep run into the competition, with the Premier League champions still pursuing a first Champions League success. Schalke stand in their way at the next stage, with that contest set to see Leroy Sane reunited with his former club. Tottenham are also set to face German opponents, with Mauricio Pochettino having seen his side sneak through a testing group to land a second round clash with Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund – who will have Jadon Sancho lining up against England team-mates such as Harry Kane and Dele Alli. The final game of the last 16 will see Roma, who made it to the semi-finals last season, taking on Porto. The first legs of the eagerly-anticipated fixtures mentioned above will take place on February 12/13 and 19/20, with the return dates pencilled in for two weeks later. Source: https://www.goal.com/
Akufo-Addo warns appointees over petty fighting
President Akufo-Addo has cautioned some of his appointees who are fond of engaging in needless squabbles to immediately desist from the practice. He gave the warning during the 2018 Conference of Heads of Ghana Missions held in Accra yesterday under the theme, ‘Leveraging Ghana’s Foreign Policy for National Development.’ He disclosed that “it has come to my attention that in some of the Missions, the exact opposite of my appeal is being adhered to; there are several reports of petty squabbles, turf wars, outright confrontations and a complete breakdown in relations between some heads of missions and their respective Foreign service officers.” The situation, the President insisted “is completely unacceptable, and is proving detrimental to the smooth running of High Commissions and Embassies and occasioning unnecessary and additional costs.” He consequently urged the Ambassadors and High Commissioners to exercise utmost restraint in their dealings with the foreign service officers, who may be problematic, saying “those, who misconduct themselves, can be duly sanctioned in accordance with the law after being subjected to due process.” “I would advise the Minister for Foreign Affairs to investigate and act swiftly in dealing with complaints lodged by a Head of Mission about any officer, who misconducts himself or herself in contravention of the rules and regulations that are to guide their conduct,” he declared. The President stressed that heads of missions must create a harmonious working environment because it’s only through that they can be guaranteed that their staff are sufficiently motivated to work hard to achieve the desired results and stated goals of the nation. He indicated that the various foreign service officers at the Missions possess invaluable experience and in-depth knowledge of the terrain, which should help them discharge their duties effectively. Over the past 23 months, he revealed that Ghana’s image and pride of place among the comity of nations has been greatly enhanced and restored. This, President Akufo-Addo said, was as a result of the work done by Ghana’s High Commissioners and Ambassadors whom he had sworn in. He, therefore, urged them to “continue in this regard over the period of your tenures in office.” “It’s in our collective interest that we do everything we can not only to preserve this hard-won reputation, but also to attract the investments that will facilitate the structural transformation of our economy so central to the future prosperity and stability of our country,” he stated. With the heads of mission deliberating on a range of issues that are the priorities of Government and Ghanaian people over the course of the Conference, President Akufo-Addo said that the outcome of the conference would further deepen their understanding of their roles and responsibilities to enable them achieve concrete and beneficial results for the nation. “You are the chief promoters of Ghana’s diplomatic and commercial interests in your respective countries, and this conference will reinforce that motivation,” he said. He continued, “As heads of missions, you are now required to be more visible and proactive in your dealings in order to make the desired impact. You must endeavour not only to interact with the Executive and Legislative arms of Government in your host countries, but also with academic institutions and influential civil society organisations, including the media. When this is done, you can be certain that you would have helped to promote government’s agenda for economic transformation and the prospects that it offers all stakeholders.” Whilst acknowledging the challenges facing the Ministry and Missions, President Akufo-Addo indicated that government is committed to resolving the challenges, and as a first step, there has been a modest increase in this year’s budget for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “It’s incumbent on you to exercise prudence in the use of the Mission’s resources, and find innovative ways of increasing the proportion of internally generated funds. Furthermore, the Ministry has also contracted a $50 million loan to help in the rehabilitation of the rundown infrastructure of many of our missions. The minister has assured me that the loan will be vigorously disbursed and employed in this new year of 2019,” he added. Ghana’s Ambassador to Canada, Ayikoi Otoo, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, appealed to the President to, as a matter of government policy, consider removing duties on at least one vehicle heads of missions import into the country. They also appealed to the President to increase the number of dependents heads of missions can take along to their posts from two to three. Source: https://www.ghanaweb.com/
