DEFENDER OF THE FATHERLAND DAY COMMEMORATED IN GHANA

The Russian Community in Ghana has held a commemorative function,to mark the celebration of this year’s ‘Defender of the Fatherland Day’,with a call on Russian soldiers to exhibit the same levels of commitment and
communal spirit shown by their liberation fighters during the Second World War, to safeguard lives and property in their home country – Russia.

This was revealed on the sidelines of a cocktail to climax the day’s events,held at the residence of the Russian Ambassador to Ghana HE Dmitriy Suslov in Accra on Monday 23 February 2015.
The tradition to honour all those who dedicated their lives to the service
of the Russian state and to achieve sovereignty during World War II and
subsequent wars, began in 1919,and has since gained wide popularity in
Russia.

Observed as a public holiday annually in faraway Russia, the Defender of
the Fatherland is marked each year with local parades to honour the
military and veterans, while women and other relations present
postcards,congratulatory messages and other gifts to their male relations in recognition of the tireless efforts of their predecessors in the struggle for Russian Sovereignty.

Speaking at the event, the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, HE Dmitriy
Suslov underscored the need to celebrate the Russian Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Defense and Nuclear Force Operations for their monumental contributions during the wars that saw them defeat their aggressors, and their continuous performance of duties till date.
He added that it was imperative to modernise and retool these forces to
make them efficient in combatting any security threats to the fatherland.

The ambassador noted that once the soldiers are adequately equipped, they would be on top of their game –and be committed to the collective
good of the Russian people.

“We are sure that our soldiers and officers will act with the same spirit
as their fathers and grandfathers had during the early days of the
Russia Army. Every Russian is sure that the Army can guarantee peaceful life for us and our children and to protect our great country,” Ambassador Suslov said.

Pis from the cocktail event

Defence Minister, Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor, on behalf of government and people of Ghana, assured of efforts to deepen the military and defence
relationship between the two nations, while also congratulating the Russian Army, which has over the years chalked laudable feats in defence operations.

He expressed appreciation for the numerous support the Russian
government continues to extend to Ghana in the nation’s quest to improve security efforts.

“I wish you all the best, and hope that this day creates the level of
resilience for the gallant men and women in Russia, who have fallen
for a good course,” he concluded.The event was attended by members the Diplomatic Corps from Russia, state functionaries, Officers from the
Ghana Armed Forces, and other sister security services.

@the cocktail

OF THE GRAND CHEROKEES and THE HARSH REALITIES OF POOR EDUCATION & HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE

Health facilities have consistently been crying for help in order to up the quality of service they provide for the most parts.The basic equipment to even use to administer preliminary treatment to hospital clients are non-existent.

There have been a multiplicity of media reports about these in an attempt to garner some kind of support from all quarters,however small.

Only a few times have we seen some individuals and corporate entities come to the rescue of these poor health facilities by donating hospital supplies,medication,and infrastructure in this regard.

Some communities simply do not have the slightest hint of what a health facility looks like,thoughtless of going there to get attended to when they have issues.

Some health facility lacking beds

In the education sector,the situation is just as curious - schools under trees , the senior high schools without safe accommodation for students,those without beds and desks,those who live with reptiles on the same premises,Junior high students who travel 5+ kilometres before getting to a desk-less school for class,among others,have long since been a major headache and cause of concern for everybody.

...And I've just seen a story on Tv3 about a senior high school in the Upper East Region,which lacks infrastructure - and students are compelled to share one bed (two is-to-one).

The issues are numerous - the responses,next to nil.

But some company in this town hasn't thought of uplifting the status of this school and many others in similar or worse scenarios .

Instead,they purchase some 30+ Jeeps to be given as gifts to footballers,who themselves drive the fanciest cars home and abroad and have already been lavished with $25,000 package for finishing second at the AFCON.

(not forgetting the flat rate they all bagged for their participation at the tourney - regardless the finish they made)

This company is not alone in this form of  "madness".

The fleet of jeep cherokees supposedly acquired by tannick auto ghana
As gifts to blackstars

Many more companies have down the years embarked on similar ventures,paying no attention to the dire health and education situation in rural Ghana.

But then we cannot ran away from the fact that these companies have a motive to which they do these things.In the long run,they would win favours from governments,they would have policies go in their favour,they would have tax waivers and all of that.

So in the end - the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.

I'm thinking - the kind of development the cost of just one of those Jeeps,for example can bring to our underserved schools in rural communities alone could be monumental.

As usual,we have our priorities messed up all day,everyday.

Small Advice To Companies: we know the government-relations you build by doing these things,but please while we spend on the already money-invested persons,groups,let's remember to at least upgrade the sorry facilities called schools and health facilities we have in this town.

It would not the least hurt your revenue and finance bag,considering the humongous sums you spend on other things.

#SadandHarshReality
photo credit:myjoyonline.com, citifmonline.com

MY TEAM OF THE TOURNEY - "some big name stars miss out"

At a tournament which did not show much quality on an overall level, a few players managed to stand up to be counted. While the traditional players - some of them who were tipped to take the tourney by storm flattered to deceive, a few new stars were born.

It also marked an end to long years of national team heartache for others....They would bow out knowing that they gave it their all and we're rewarded for it.

My team of the tournament however:

Goalkeeper : Felipe Ovono (Eq. Guinea)


Defenders : Baba Rahman (Ghana),Jonathan Mensah (Ghana),Kolo Toure (Ivory Coast),Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast)

Midfielders (CM) : Afriyie Acquah (Ghana),Serie Die (Ivory Coast)

Attacking Midfielders : Mubarak Wakaso (Ghana),Andre Ayew (Ghana),Christian Atsu (Ghana)

Striker :Wilfried Bony (Ivory Coast)

Substitutes : Yannick Bolassie (DR Congo),Javier Balboa (Eq. Guinea), Jean Kasusula (DR Congo), Eric Bertrand Bailly (Ivory Coast), Thievy Bifouma (Congo DR),Harrison Afful (Ghana), Robert Kiddiaba (DR Congo)

Agree or nah?

OF THE GLORY PENALTY and THE LOST OPPORTUNITY

AJ Wilson wrOTE minutes after another heart-wrenching final loss to the Ivory Coast on Facebook,Sunday night.His opinion about Andre's uncontrollable sob after the game reminded me of many things.

"Dede was crying because he felt responsible,He was scheduled to play after Jordan# # Thats what I heard oooh",his post read.

Fatau and captain Gyan console the distraught Andre, following yet
another penalty shootout blue! 

I think so too...coupled with the desire to banish the ghost of 92,which did not really come off.

Sometimes,it doesn't really matter if someone else grabs the headlines,methinks.

Ronaldo and portugal did same at the semis of  2012 Euros.

" Cristiano Ronaldo was partly responsible for the flawed penalty strategy that saw Portugal eliminated from the Euro 2012 semifinals before he had a chance to be the hero,Yahoo! Sports reported after the game.

Within moments of Portugal losing its semifinal to Spain 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 draw, head coach Paulo Bento claimed responsibility for the decision to put Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the two best players in the world, fifth in the kicking order.

That strategy was designed to ensure that the 27-year-old could clinch victory, but it backfired spectacularly when Spain won before Ronaldo even had a chance to take his turn.

"I feel sad," Ronaldo said. "Losing a semifinal in a penalty shootout is always painful, but it is a lottery, the luckier team wins. The decision on who to shoot the fifth penalty was unanimous," he told reporters after the game.

However, he must take his share of the blame for the decision to place himself fifth and being left a bystander in the shootout.

Despite some confusion among fans when Ronaldo appeared to shake his head when the order was handed to match officials just moments before the penalty drama, Yahoo! Sports learned that the decision was not thecoach's alone. Prior to the tournament, Bento sat down with his assistant coaches to discuss a wide range of matters,including logistics,training schedules, and the preferred penalty order if the team was involved in a shootout during the knockout stages.

Now what I think about the AFCON final shootout loss:

 The case of the Ghanaians was similar -indeed close to the Portuguese scenario at the 2012 Euro semifinals.Nobody can explain why Afriyie Acquah and Acheampong will take penalty kicks at a shootout before Andre,who is our next penalty taker after Wakaso - and then Agyemang Badu, another experienced head.

The only reason that may have happened,is synonymous with the case of Ronaldo for Portugal at the Euros.

Only differences this time,may be that:

1) It's a final

2) of the AFCON tournament,2015

3) He's thought to be taking in his superstar father's stead as one of Ghana's finest,and had to be up to the challenge,however herculean.

4) His father infamously missed the 1992 final versus Ivory Coast,in Senegal -Darkar,due to suspension,having been Ghana's best player at that tourney.

The team lost a marathon penalty shootout by 10 - 11 to Ivory Coast.

5) ...some 22 + years on,he happened to be playing the same opponents in the final,and felt he needed to cover himself,the nation and his father in some glory.

He may have wanted to be the headliner in the press tomorrow and the days after,as Ronaldo desired in 2012.
And it may have been a unanimous decision by the entire team or not.

Many top players desire that too.

So the tabloids could read:

"Andre wins elusive AFCON trophy for Ghana after 33 years"

"Star Show: Andre banishes Abedi ghost of 92"

"Ayew breaks 33-year jinx for Ghana in shootout win"

"Kick of Destiny -Son of Abedi rights the wrongs versus Ivory Coast,following familiar final"

"Ayew to the rescue,Scores winning penalty to seal first AFCON since 1982"

"Glory kick,as Andre conquers Africa at finals shootout"

"Ayew GRANTS Ghana fifth AFCON title"

"Ayew delivers GRANT's wish - trophy number 5 for Ghana"

"Ayew's glory kick,Grant's blue polo shirt wins Ghana fifth AFCON"

Former BlackStars physical trainer and
coach of ivory Coast Herve Renard
consoles Andre

For some reason,the gamble flopped and here we are.

Perhaps the decision,like in the Ronaldo case which was unanimous - coach - technical team - playing body etc., failed to come off.

And it back-fired!

In the end,it's Boubacar Barry,making his seventh AFCON finals (as in participating in his seventh championship),who won it -and will expectedly hug the headlines for a long time to come.

The heartbreak was evident,the emotions were all over ,the tears would not stop.

Ghanaians are devastated,but Andre feels the devastation more.
He knew this was the opportunity.But it was not to be.
THEY knew they were close, yet far away from breaking that longstanding jinx. We'll have to wait just a little more to win something again, soon!

 Andre uncontrollably wept after seeing the trophy slip away to the Ivorians