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August 19, 2026
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‘You can’t improve players on pitches like this’ – Kotoko coach Tinkler
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Key Points
- Asante Kotoko's new head coach, Eric Tinkler, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the quality of pitches in Ghana.
- Tinkler, appointed for the 2026/27 season, believes poor pitch conditions impede player development and effective training.
- He emphasized the 'massive importance' of pitch quality for improving footballers, linking it to player disappointment and limitations in coaching.
- The South African coach also suggested that pitch standards are among the 'deeper things' contributing to on-field indiscipline.
- Asante Kotoko is currently fine-tuning their team in Accra ahead of the Ghana Premier League season, starting with a match against Debibi United.
Why This Matters
The quality of football pitches directly impacts player development, the standard of play in the Ghana Premier League, and the overall competitiveness of Ghanaian football. Tinkler's comments highlight a critical infrastructure challenge that, if unaddressed, could hinder the nation's ability to produce top-tier talent and elevate its domestic league's profile both regionally and internationally.
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August 24, 2026
GoldBod denies GH¢1bn BoG overdraft claim, demands retraction and apology from Boako
- The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has vehemently denied claims by MP Dr. Gideon Boako that it owes the Bank of Ghana (BoG) a GH¢1 billion overdraft.
- Dr. Boako, a Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee, questioned GoldBod's reported GH¢907 million profit, stating an outstanding overdraft would reflect a loss.
- GoldBod labeled Dr. Boako’s claim as “totally false,” a “deliberate and malicious smear campaign,” and demanded a retraction and apology.
- This dispute is set against a broader political and economic debate concerning GoldBod’s financial performance and the accounting treatment of GH¢22 billion losses from the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).
- GoldBod asserts it has never taken any loan, overdraft, or debt instrument from the Bank of Ghana or any financial institution since its establishment.
August 24, 2026
GoldBod losses remain key on Minority agenda as Parliament reconvenes – Afenyo-Markin
- The NPP Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, reaffirmed the caucus's commitment to investigate a reported US$1.7 billion loss linked to the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
- This commitment was reiterated after Afenyo-Markin met with NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in Accra.
- Dr Bawumia commended the Minority Caucus for its accountability efforts and encouraged their continued work.
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- The Minority is resolute in pursuing the matter to get answers for the Ghanaian public regarding the circumstances of the loss.
August 23, 2026
Why celebrate $2.62bn FDI while losing $1.7bn under the Domestic Gold Programme? IERPP asks
- The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP) welcomes Ghana's US$2.62 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as a sign of investor confidence.
- However, IERPP tempers this optimism with concern over an estimated GH¢22 billion (US$1.7 billion) loss from the Domestic Gold Purchase Program (DGPP).
- The DGPP loss is significant, equating to about 65 cents for every US$1 of FDI attracted, highlighting a major resource management issue.
- IERPP emphasizes that while FDI is crucial, it cannot substitute for prudent management and protection of existing public resources.
- The Institute calls for greater transparency, a clear breakdown of DGPP losses, and intense scrutiny from accountability institutions, Parliament, and civil society.