Ivory Coast President, Alassane Ouattara, is urging members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to launch a common currency one year ahead of the scheduled timeline.
“I want this common currency to be available by 2026 at the latest,” Ouattara said following a meeting with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital, Abidjan.
“Ivory Coast has made significant efforts and from next year, it will be ready to meet the required convergence criteria,” Ouattara said.
The 15-member ECOWAS, which has been working on a common currency initiative for over 20 years, agreed in 2021 to implement a new roadmap aiming to launch the eco currency by 2027.
The primary challenge has been the failure of member nations to meet four key convergence criteria: reducing budget deficits, maintaining single-digit inflation, building sufficient foreign reserves, and cutting down on central bank funding for governments.
The two heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate with other West African nations to enhance regional economic and financial integration, with the goal of establishing a monetary union.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahene Aidoo, has attributed the trend of cocoa bean smuggling in the country to the volatility of the international market trading system.
This statement follows COCOBOD’s recent announcement that Ghana lost 120,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to smuggling between 2022 and 2023. At a press conference in Accra on Monday, October 14, Mr. Aidoo expressed his concerns about the detrimental effects of smuggling on Ghana’s cocoa industry.
He noted that, despite the joint efforts of COCOBOD and various governmental agencies, little progress has been made in addressing this illegal trade. Cocoa bean smuggling, a long-standing issue in Ghana, has intensified in recent years, largely due to the attractive prices available in neighboring countries.
Mr. Aidoo elaborated that fluctuations and instability in the international cocoa market including rapid changes in prices, demand, and supply are driving this illicit activity.
He explained that unstable market conditions incentivize individuals and groups to engage in illegal practices, such as smuggling cocoa to take advantage of more favorable prices abroad.
The situation has been exacerbated by poor harvests in both Ghana and Ivory Coast, the world’s top two cocoa producers, resulting in a four-year supply deficit.
Consequently, global cocoa and chocolate prices have surged this year. In contrast to Ghana, cocoa prices are higher in Ivory Coast and Togo, primarily due to a more stable CFA franc currency and a less regulated market.
By the end of June this year, Ghana had only produced 429,323 metric tons of cocoa since the season began in September, representing less than 55% of the average output for the same period in previous years.
This decline suggests that production for 2023/24 is set for its most significant drop in over two decades. To date, more than ten individuals have been sentenced to prison for smuggling this year, with sentences ranging from three months to ten years.
Ivory Coast has increased the price it offers cocoa farmers, surpassing what Ghana pays, despite growers in both nations still receiving significantly less than global market rates.
As of October 1, the top cocoa producer in the world has raisedthe farmgate price by 20% to 1,800 CFA francs ($3.06) per kilogram, as announced by Minister of Agriculture Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani in Abidjan.
This price translates to $3,060 per ton, slightly higher than Ghana’s initial payment of $3,039 per ton for the start of its harvest season this month.
This move could deter the smuggling of Ivorian cocoa beans to Ghana, though the risk of illegal exports to neighboring countries like Liberia and Guinea remains due to buyers there offering prices closer to the global market rate.
A combination of adverse weather, diseases, and insufficient agricultural inputs limited cocoa production across West Africa last season, causing cocoa futures to reach an all-time high earlier this year, exceeding $11,000 per ton. Since then, futures have declined, trading around $7,700 per ton as of Monday in New York.
The poor harvest has led to a global cocoa market deficit for the third consecutive year. While production is expected to rebound in the upcoming season, the surplus is projected to be modest, estimated at around 90,000 tons, according to a survey of 15 analysts and traders by Bloomberg.
The pricing systems established by the governments of Ivory Coast and Ghana have hindered farmers from fully benefiting from the global price surge.
This situation has limited sufficient investment in farms and encouraged smuggling to neighboring countries, where the market is less regulated and prices are considerably higher.
According to Bloomberg’s report on September 19, Ivory Coast is estimated to have lost between 150,000 and 200,000 tons of cocoa beans to smuggling during the current crop year ending Monday.
As part of a “strategic cooperation,” Ivory Coast from 2024-25 will begin to harmonize output control, pricing and marketing system with Ghana, Adjoumani said. The farmgate price of coffee was increased by 67% to 1,500 CFA francs per kilogram, he said.
Sol Bamba, the renowned Ivorian centre-back who graced the fields of clubs like Leeds United, Leicester City, Cardiff City, and Hibernian, has tragically passed away at the age of 39.
Bamba, who began his professional football journey with Paris Saint-Germain, also had notable stints at Dunfermline and Middlesbrough. His career was marked by resilience and determination, particularly when he overcame non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while playing for Cardiff City.
Bamba was most recently involved with Turkish club Adanaspor as a technical director. The club announced the heartbreaking news on Saturday night, revealing that Bamba had fallen ill before a match against Manisa on Friday and was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he sadly lost his life. “Our condolences to his family and our community,” Adanaspor expressed in their statement.
Cardiff City, where Bamba made a significant impact, described the news as a moment of “deepest sadness.” The club honored him as a “legend,” highlighting his immeasurable contributions both as a player and coach. “Sol was a hero to all of us, a leader in every dressing room, and a true gentleman,” Cardiff City stated, mourning the loss of a figure who was adored by fans and respected by teammates.
Leeds United, where Bamba served as captain from 2015 to 2016, also paid tribute, expressing their devastation at the news. “Rest in peace, Sol, you will be forever in our hearts,” the club stated, underscoring the deep connection Bamba had with the Elland Road faithful.
Bamba first gained prominence in British football while playing in Scotland for Dunfermline and later Hibernian. He then joined Leicester City in 2011 under the management of Sven-Göran Eriksson. Following Eriksson’s recent passing, Bamba had posted a heartfelt tribute, calling the Swedish coach “not just an exquisite person, but also the best coach I’ve ever had.”
After spells with Trabzonspor in Turkey and Palermo in Italy, Bamba joined Leeds United, where his leadership on the pitch was quickly recognized. However, it was at Cardiff City where Bamba left an indelible mark. Signed on a free transfer by Neil Warnock in 2016, Bamba quickly became a fan favorite. He scored on his debut against Bristol City and played a crucial role in Cardiff’s promotion to the Premier League the following season.
Bamba’s battle with cancer was a chapter that defined his remarkable character. In January 2021, Cardiff announced that Bamba was undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite the diagnosis, Bamba made an inspiring return to football just four months later, declaring himself cancer-free after undergoing chemotherapy.
After being released by Cardiff, Bamba reunited with Warnock at Middlesbrough, where he continued to display his tenacity on the pitch. His memorable season with the club included a crucial penalty scored during a FA Cup shootout victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in February 2022.
Bamba returned to Cardiff in 2023 as an assistant manager to Sabri Lamouchi, helping the club retain their Championship status. He was linked with the managerial role at Cardiff, having completed his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales.
Bamba’s sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the football community. Clubs like Dunfermline, Middlesbrough, and Hibernian have all expressed their devastation, with Dunfermline stating they were “shocked and saddened” by the news.
S&P Global Ratings affirmed Ivory Coast’s sovereign credit rating following a eurobond sale earlier this year, which improved its financial position.
The world’s leading cocoa producer’s long-term foreign currency rating remained at BB-, three levels below investment grade, according to a statement from the ratings agency. The outlook was upgraded to positive from stable.
Ivory Coast marked sub-Saharan Africa’s return to the international capital markets this year by issuing $2.6 billion worth of eurobonds in January.
The economy ranks among the region’s fastest-growing, with the International Monetary Fund projecting a 6.5% GDP expansion in 2024, up from 6.2% last year.
Despite a one-third decline in cocoa production during the 2023-24 season, the government secured a $4.8 billion funding agreement with a Washington-based lender, bolstering its finances and reserves.
The Ghana U17 side secured a commanding victory with goals from Joseph Narbi (2), Godfred Sarpong, Harve Gbafa, and Mark Kagawa Mensah.
Following the match, Coach Kingston acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by the Ivorian team, recognizing their quality.
Despite the convincing victory, he highlighted the challenges his team faced during the game.
“It’s a cause for celebration. We must take pleasure in it. The game was challenging. The Ivorians are a tough team. They complicated things for us. It was hard to control the game due to their playing style.
I’m thrilled. Now it’s time for Ghanaians to celebrate because it’s a significant win against a strong team,” Coach Laryea Kingston commented.
With this win under their belt, the Black Starlets now turn their focus to their upcoming clash against Benin in the WAFU B U17 Cup of Nations.
This triumph sets Ghana on course to potentially return to the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament they last featured in back in 2017.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has called on regulators of the cocoa sector in Ghana and neighbouring Ivory Coast to “devise new strategies” to cope with volatile global prices.
Cocoa prices have seen a major rally this year to all-time highs on supply concerns.
Due to limited supplies, global cocoa grinders are paying up in the cash market to secure cocoa supplies this year, with concerns that West African cocoa suppliers may default on supply contracts, according to Barchart.
Speaking at the inauguration of the permanent headquarters for the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) in Accra, President Akufo-Addo said the current peak in cocoa futures “necessitates a revision of the initial approach to sustain or prevent a decline in prices.”
“This underscores the importance of this organisation for the two countries to devise new strategies to address the evolving market dynamics,” the president stated.
The two West African nations, which produce about 65 percent of the world’s cocoa beans, established the CIGCI in 2019 to exert more control over pricing and supply chains long dominated by international traders and processors.
A key early move was the introduction of a Living Income Differential (LID) premium of US$400 per metric tonne paid to local farmers on top of the market price starting in the 2020–2021 crop season. “What was thought of as impossible only two years ago is happening now,” Akufo-Addo said of the LID, which guarantees higher incomes for impoverished cocoa growers.
However, he warned that, with cocoa futures trading at record highs, revisions may be needed “to sustain or prevent a decline in prices.”
Last Thursday, cocoa prices surged once again, fueled by resilient global demand and mounting concerns over potential delivery defaults by West African suppliers grappling with a supply shortage.
According to Bloomberg, the Ghana Cocoa Board is in talks to delay the shipment of 150,000 to 250,000 metric tonnes to the next season due to a scarcity of beans. This supply crunch stems from a production decline in Ivory Coast, the top cocoa grower, where the 2023–2024 harvest is forecast to be 21.5 percent lower than the previous year, hitting an eight-year low of just 1.75 million metric tonnes.
Cocoa prices have experienced a significant rally since the start of the year, driven by the most severe supply shortfall in 40 years. The reduced production in Ivory Coast continues to exert upward pressure on prices.
The cocoa initiative between Ghana and Ivory Coast emerged from the leaders’ strategic partnership launched in 2017, aiming to enhance sustainability and efficiency within the industry.
In his speech, President Akufo-Addo recalled signing that initial deal with his Ivorian counterpart “when I came into office” and hailed the CIGCI headquarters as representing the countries’ “shared aspiration for a prosperous cocoa economy.”
The President said the new building symbolises “what regional unity and cooperation can achieve” and represents “the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the African cocoa industry.”
He expressed confidence that the joint body will “pioneer the way forward” by addressing pricing instability, farmer incomes and supply chain control.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the need for the CIGCI to establish “unified positions,” especially regarding new European Union regulations governing sustainability and supplies of cocoa entering the crucial export market. “Collaborative efforts between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are essential to safeguarding the interests of our farmers,” he stated, adding that “it is imperative for this collaboration to proactively address these challenges, reinforcing the need for cohesive action.”
Ghana, in particular, is seeing the economic impacts of its cocoa policy reforms, the president said.
Its installed processing capacity has risen above 50 percent of national output, while the total value of exported secondary products now averages above US$800 million per year.
“We will continue to work with the government of Côte d’Ivoire, united in our quest for sustainable and prosperous cocoa sectors in our two countries,” Mr. Akufo-Addo concluded.
Cocoa prices surged in New York amid ongoing concerns regarding shortages that have disrupted the market and propelled prices to unprecedented levels.
Futures experienced a significant spike of up to 4.1%, before moderating some gains as the week commenced with volatile trading.
The recent surge in prices saw them surpassing $10,000 per tonne, fueled by poor harvests in West Africa, which has put the global market on track for a third consecutive annual deficit.
Illustrating the severity of supply constraints in Ivory Coast, one of the leading cocoa producers, the country’s regulatory body has urged buyers to await the mid-crop harvest to receive delivery of approximately 130,000 tonnes of beans, as reported by Bloomberg on Friday.
With contracts being shifted to the recently initiated harvest, the nation’s unmet export demands, combined with the volume already allocated to local processors, are now dependent on the smaller of the two annual crops, culminating in September.
Elubo Sector Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has apprehended a 32-year-old Ivorian taxi driver suspected of fleeing to Ghana to evade prosecution for the alleged murder of his girlfriend in Côte d’Ivoire.
The fugitive, identified as Nduoba Essoi Fulgence, was captured on April 2, 2024, at Edwakpole, a village near Anyinase in the Ellembele District of the Western Region.
Reports indicate that Fulgence is accused of brutally slashing the throat of his girlfriend, known as Nda Abekan Anne or Ella, before escaping to Ghana.
The Western Regional Public Affairs Officer of the GIS, Inspector Moses Manford Akakpo, announced that the arrest was made based on information received from authorities on the Ivorian side of the Elubo Border and the Ivorian Police Commissaire.
Initial investigations suggested that Fulgence might seek refuge with relatives in the Edwakpole village, approximately 50 kilometers from Elubo.
A surveillance team comprising Immigration Officers from the Elubo Sector Command, led by Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Joshua Krakue, was deployed to track down the suspect.
“After about two hours of intensive operation, the suspect was identified and arrested in a house believed to be his family house at Edwakpole village,” the statement disclosed.
On Tuesday, around 4 p.m., the GIS handed over Fulgence to the Ivorian Police Commissaire in Noe at the Elubo Border to facilitate further legal proceedings.
TheGIS expressed appreciationto all parties involved in the collaborative effort to apprehend the suspect.
Ivory Coast’s President, Alassane Ouattara, has announced an increase in the official cocoa farmgate price to 1,500 CFA francs per kilogram, equivalent to $2.47, effective from Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
Sources familiar with the matter, reported by Accra-based media outlet Asaase Radio, indicate that the decision was reached during a significant government meeting held on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
Initial reports suggested that President Ouattara had initially agreed to a proposal for a price increment ranging between 1,100 and 1,200 CFA per kilogram. However, he later reversed this decision, opting for an even higher price.
Efforts to obtain comments from the government and the cocoa regulator, the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), were unsuccessful on Sunday.
Despite cocoa prices soaring more than threefold over the past year due to disease outbreaks and adverse weather conditions, resulting in the global market experiencing a third consecutive deficit, the official farmgate price in Ivory Coast, a leading cocoa producer, has yet to reflect this surge.
“There were several proposals on the table and as a last resort, the president wanted the highest possible price for the producers so he decided 1,500 CFA per kg instead of 1,200 CFA, which had been validated previously,” the director of a European export company told Reuters.
“Ultimately in the current context, this is the best possible price that the CCC can pay because the sales system in Ivory Coast is such that it is difficult to change prices during the season,” the person told Asaase Radio.
The director of another international export company told Asaase Radio that: “The president judged the world market situation to be exceptional and wanted an exceptional reaction too.”
Asamoah, a Ghanaian trader residing in Ivory Coast, recently shared his perspective on the economic disparities between Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Speaking to a TV3 journalist, Asamoah highlighted the stability of prices in Ivory Coast compared to Ghana, noting that the cost of goods remains relatively consistent over time.
“I’ve been here since 2019, so it’s been about 5 years. But the prices we pay in CFA francs, which is equivalent to about GH2.50 pesewas in Ghana, have remained the same,” Asamoah remarked.
Other traders echoed Asamoah’s sentiments, expressing their satisfaction with the business environment and development opportunities in Ivory Coast. “There are many advantages here in terms of business and infrastructure. Ghana’s road network cannot compete,” one trader stated.
Another trader emphasized the importance of comfort and opportunity in determining one’s place of residence. “Life in Ghana is challenging. Moving to Ivory Coast has proven to be the right choice. You should live where you feel comfortable,” they remarked.
Despite the favorable conditions inIvory Coast, some traders indicated their intentions to eventually return to Ghana, underscoring the complexity of factors influencing migration and economic decision-making among West African traders.
Ghanaian traders in Cote d'Ivoire have gained popularity as second-hand shoes dealers.
They say life in Cote d'Ivoire is better as compared to Ghana.
Asamoah, a Ghanaian trader residing in Ivory Coast, recently shared his perspective on the economic disparities between Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Speaking to a TV3 journalist, Asamoah highlighted the stability of prices in Ivory Coast compared to Ghana, noting that the cost of goods remains relatively consistent over time.
“I’ve been here since 2019, so it’s been about 5 years. But the prices we pay in CFA francs, which is equivalent to about GH2.50 pesewas in Ghana, have remained the same,” Asamoah remarked.
Other traders echoed Asamoah’s sentiments, expressing their satisfaction with the business environment and development opportunities in Ivory Coast.
“There are many advantages here in terms of business and infrastructure. Ghana’s road network cannot compete,” one trader stated.
Another trader emphasized the importance of comfort and opportunity in determining one’s place of residence. “Life in Ghana is challenging. Moving to Ivory Coast has proven to be the right choice. You should live where you feel comfortable,” they remarked.
Despite the favorable conditions in Ivory Coast, some traders indicated their intentions to eventually return to Ghana, underscoring the complexity of factors influencing migration and economic decision-making among West African traders.
Ghanaian traders in Cote d'Ivoire have gained popularity as second-hand shoes dealers.
They say life in Cote d'Ivoire is better as compared to Ghana.
Asamoah, a Ghanaian trader residing in Ivory Coast, has shared insights into the economic differences between Ghana and Ivory Coast, highlighting what he perceives as a more favorable economic environment in Ivory Coast.
In an interview with a TV3 journalist, Asamoah expressed his observation that the cost of living in Ivory Coast has remained relatively stable compared to Ghana.
“I came here in 2019, so I’ve been here for about 5 years. But the thing we used to buy with the CFA franc, which is like GH2.50 pesewas over here, it is the same. It has not changed,” he explained.
Several traders echoed similar sentiments, noting the favorable business climate and infrastructure development in Ivory Coast. They expressed plans to continue living and working in Ivory Coast due to the perceived challenges in Ghana.
“There are a lot of things working here in terms of development and business climate. In terms of roads, Ghana cannot match up,” one trader remarked.
“Things are difficult in Ghana. Coming to Ivory Coast has been the best decision. So you live where you are comfortable,” another trader added.
Ghanaian traders in Cote d'Ivoire have gained popularity as second-hand shoes dealers.
They say life in Cote d'Ivoire is better as compared to Ghana.
Asamoah, a male trader living in Ivory Coast, has remarked on the differences in social behavior between Ghanaians and Ivorians, noting that gossip is much less prevalent in Ivory Coast compared to Ghana.
In an interview with a TV3 journalist, Asamoah expressed his observations, saying, “The life here is something, they are not fully independent but they live like those in the US. We can count them as Africans but the way of living is different. So in Ghana, petty things like gossiping thrive but there is none here.”
Having lived in Ivory Coast for nearly five years, Asamoah has had the opportunity to witness and compare the social dynamics between the two countries.
He highlighted the perceived difference in the level of independence and the lifestyle in Ivory Coast, which he likened to that of the United States.
Ghanaian traders in Cote d'Ivoire have gained popularity as second-hand shoes dealers.
They say life in Cote d'Ivoire is better as compared to Ghana.
Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the world’s largest cocoa producers, have either halted or reduced processing in major plants due to soaring bean costs, leading to a global increase in chocolate prices, Reuters has reported.
The two West African nations, which together produce nearly 60% of the world’s cocoa, have been grappling with extreme weather changes and cocoa pod diseases for several months, according to a report by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) published on Tuesday.
Cocoa supplies from Cote d’Ivoire between October 2023 and February 2024 dropped by approximately 39% compared to the previous year, totaling 1.04 million metric tons, Afreximbank reported. Meanwhile, Ghana’s exports decreased by about 35% to 341,000 metric tons between September 2023 and January 2024.
Benchmark cocoa futures for March delivery on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in New York surpassed $6,000 per metric ton last Friday before easing to around $5,880 per ton, still surpassing the previous record high of $5,379 set in 1977.
Industry analysts have warned that bean prices could continue to rise due to the global supply threat posed by the weather phenomenon El Nino, which caused droughts in West Africa in the third quarter of 2023 and is expected to persist until April.
“We need massive demand destruction to catch up with the supply destruction,” Reuters quoted Steve Wateridge, director of Tropical Research Services, as saying.
Transcao, a state-owned cocoa processor and one of Ivory Coast’s nine plants, has stated that it cannot afford to purchase beans at current prices and is relying on existing stock. Global trader Cargill has also faced challenges in sourcing beans for its major processing plant in Ivory Coast, leading to a shutdown of operations for about a week last month, according to anonymous sources cited by Reuters.
In Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa grower, the majority of its eight plants, including the state-owned Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), have repeatedly suspended operations for weeks since last October, as reported by the news agency. CPC has indicated that it is operating at only about 20% capacity due to the shortage.
Last week, Michele Buck, CEO of American candy giant Hershey and one of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers, forecasted that “historic cocoa prices” would restrict earnings growth in 2024, potentially resulting in product price increases.
Following Mali’s defeat in the AFCON 2023 quarter-final match against Ivory Coast, coach Sekou Chelle disclosed experiencing dizziness and a spike in blood pressure.
A viral video depicted water being poured over Chelle’s head, prompting clarification from the coach regarding the circumstances.
Mali had held control of the game with a numerical advantage and secured a lead through Nene Dorgeles’ goal in the second half.
However, Ivory Coast mounted a comeback, equalising in the 90th minute with Simon Adingra’s goal and sealing their victory with Diakite’s header in extra time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csHr2Uxusf8
Chelle, visibly distressed at the match’s conclusion, attributed his distress to his health issues, shedding light on his condition post-match.
“After the Elephants’ second goal, I started to feel dizzy, my blood pressure was rising,” he said. “Thankfully, my compatriot poured enough water on my head to stabilise my blood pressure.”
Despite their disappointment at falling short of winning the tournament, Malians remain proud of their team’s accomplishments, including topping their group and overcoming Burkina Faso in the round of 16.
Looking ahead, coach Chelle will undoubtedly strive to build upon this performance when the AFCON returns to Morocco next year.
Initially, the team faced uncertainty after finishing third in Group A with just three points.
Leading the group were Nigeria, followed by Equatorial Guinea, which had only managed to win one of their three matches, suffering defeats against both Nigeria and the National Thunder.
However, the Elephants managed to scrape through to the knockout stage as one of the four best third-place finishers.
This marked the departure of Jean-Louis Gasset, the head coach, whose uninspiring leadership during the tournament led to his exit.
Emerse Faé, formerly the assistant coach, stepped up as the interim head coach, which proved to be a pivotal moment for the hosts.
Their journey gained momentum as they eliminated defending champions Senegal in the Round of 16 with a narrow 5-4 victory on penalties.
Subsequently, they faced Mali in the quarterfinals, showcasing dominance despite playing with 10 men for a significant portion of the match, eventually securing a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory in stoppage time.
Advancing to the finals, Ivory Coast secured their place by defeating DR Congo in the semi-finals.
The climax of Emerse Faé’s side’s remarkable journey unfolded on February 11, when they staged a spectacular comeback to defeat Nigeria 2-1 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Goals in the 62nd and 81st minutes by Frank Kessie and Sébastien Haller, respectively, propelled the hosts to a well-deserved victory on a thrilling night.
This victory marked the 12th occasion in history that a host country has clinched the CAF Africa Cup of Nations title, the first since Egypt in 2006.
It was a momentous achievement for the Elephants, adding to their previous triumphs in 1992 and 2015.
Following Nigeria’s loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, Ghanaians took to social media to seek revenge in the ongoing banter.
Despite the Super Eagles reaching the finals, they were defeated 2-1 by the host nation. Ghanaians swiftly seized the opportunity to mock their Nigerian counterparts for their recent setbacks.
One of the entities joining in the teasing was DSTV Ghana, with the channel’s administrator delivering some strong jabs.
On the X platform, DSTV Ghana referenced Nigeria’s Burna Boy’s Last Last song to mock the Super Eagles. Just like the song, they came “last” and got their breakfast.
DSTV had a lesson for the flightless Super Eagles and it was that “no one remembers the one who comes second”.
In response to the fact that Ghana was knocked out of the group stages and could not get a medal like Nigeria did, DSTV Ghana said “You can’t shame the shameless.”
DStv Ghana teases Nigeria after their 1-2 loss to Cote d'Ivoire in the 2023 AFCON Final. pic.twitter.com/LXOqlXHMwN
Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong has been hailed as the standout performer of the 2023Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), earning the prestigious title of Best Player of the Tournament.
Despite Nigeria’s loss to Ivory Coast in the final, Troost-Ekong’s exceptional leadership and skill were evident throughout the competition.
The central figure in POAK’s defence, Troost-Ekong, not only marshalled the backline but also captained the team, demonstrating his versatility and importance on the field.
With three goals in seven games, his contributions were significant.
He notably secured a crucial victory against Ivory Coast in the group stage with a well-taken header, converted a penalty against South Africa, and powered home another header in the rematch against Ivory Coast.
In the final match, Troost-Ekong once again rose to the occasion, scoring a powerful header just before halftime to put Nigeria in the lead.
However, Ivory Coast’s Franck Kessie levelled the score in the 62nd minute, denying Nigeria the ultimate glory.
Despite the disappointment in the final, Nigeria’s journey to the pinnacle was remarkable, especially considering the early setback of losing two group stage matches under former coach Jean-Louis Gasset.
However, it was Ivory Coast that ultimately emerged victorious, clinching their third continental title and etching their name in history as the first host nation to claim victory since Egypt in 2006.
Sebastien Haller propelled Ivory Coast into the Africa Cup of Nations final with a decisive goal, securing a 1-0 victory over DR Congo.
The Elephants’ journey to the final has been marked by remarkable twists of fate, having narrowly escaped elimination in the group stage and weathered challenges under interim manager Emerse Fae.
Despite initial setbacks, including a managerial change and tense matches against Senegal and Mali, Ivory Coast’s resilience shone through. Haller’s goal, coming at a critical moment, now positions them for potential redemption in the final against Nigeria.
DR Congo, a formidable opponent with past tournament victories, threatened early on but had a goal disallowed. Ivory Coast gradually gained momentum, with Haller and Franck Kessie posing threats to the Congo defense.
Haller’s unorthodox goal in the 64th minute, a fortuitous hook from Max Gradel’s cross, broke the deadlock and ignited celebrations for the Ivory Coast supporters. Although Haller missed another opportunity to extend the lead, the Elephants held firm defensively to secure their place in the final.
Ivory Coast’s journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable, defying expectations and overcoming adversity. Their resilience and determination will be put to the test once more as they vie for continental glory against Nigeria.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku criticised sports journalists for jeering at the Black Stars players following their elimination from the 2023 African Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast.
Several journalists were seen booing the Black Stars after their disappointing group-stage exit from the 2023 AFCON.
The Black Stars squandered a two-goal lead and settled for a 2-2 draw against Mozambique.
Addressing the press during the GFA’s meeting in Kumasi, Kurt Okraku acknowledged the pain of Ghana’s early exit from the AFCON but emphasised that it was inappropriate for journalists to boo the tea
“I share the pain of every Ghanaian on the back of our poor performance by our Black Stars at the AFCON. I also share in the pain of colleague journalists whose lifespan was cut short due to our early exit. But I do not share in the act of booing our players,” Kurt Okraku said at Meet the Press in Kumasi.
He clarified that CAF has initiated an investigation to penalise the GFA for the journalists‘ insubordination and emphasised the importance of preventing such actions from reoccurring in the future.
“As journalists, we have been trained to support and report on our national team. I pray and hope that this singular act will never be repeated.
“That act has now activated CAF to find ways of imposing fines on Ghana. It was a bad one!! And like I said here, the period between our exit and now has seen a lot of sober reflection. If we behave well, we know! If we don’t behave better, we know!! Don’t let us put Ghana in a bad light.”
Ivory Coast emerged victorious in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Mali, securing a spot in the semi-finals despite playing with 10 men for most of the game.
Kossounou’s Challenge: Defensive Stand and Dilemma
Odilon Kossounou faced a tough situation with two yellow cards for fouls on Lassine Sinayoko. Despite his dismissal, Ivory Coast showcased remarkable defensive resilience, thwarting Mali’s efforts and maintaining composure.
Diakite’s Emotional Heroics: Late Equalizer and Winner
Oumar Diakite became the hero for Ivory Coast, scoring the equalizer in the 90th minute and securing the win in extra time. However, his second yellow card in the celebration means he will miss the upcoming semi-final against DR Congo.
Mali’s Missed Opportunities and Frustration
Mali failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage and adopted a defensive approach after taking the lead through Nene Dorgeles. The post-match scenes of protest and a red card for Hamari Traore highlighted Mali’s frustration and disappointment.
Elephants’ Unbelievable Journey: From Struggles to Semi-finals
Ivory Coast’s journey in the Afcon has been remarkable, surviving the group stage with two defeats and overcoming defending champions Senegal in the last 16. The quarter-final win against Mali adds another chapter to their incredible escape act.
Bitter Pill for Mali: Another Setback Against Neighbours
Mali faced bitter disappointment with their exit, marked by protests and a defeat against Ivory Coast. The loss emphasizes their recent struggles against West African neighbours, marking another setback in their Afcon journey.
After Odilon Kossounou’s first-half red card, Nene Dorgeles’ memorable strike initially gave Mali the lead.
Simon Adingra’s 90th-minute equalizer sent the match to extra time, where Oumar Diakite scored the decisive goal in the final minutes.
Mali had an early opportunity to lead with Adama Traore’s penalty saved by Ivorian keeper Yahia Fofana after Kossounou’s foul on Lassine Sinayoko. Kossounou’s second yellow card left Ivory Coast with 10 men.
Despite being a player down, Ivory Coast’s Seko Fofana had a chance that went over the bar. Mali’s pressure paid off in the 71st minute when Dorgeles scored a stunning goal, putting them in the lead.
In the 90th minute, Adingra equalized for Ivory Coast, setting the stage for a thrilling extra time. In the last minute of extra time, Diakite’s crucial touch from Seko Fofana’s shot secured Ivory Coast’s victory, sending them to the semi-finals.
The celebrations, however, saw Diakite receiving a second yellow card for removing his shirt, and Hamari Traore of Mali was shown a straight red card in the aftermath.
Football fans in Ghana have been left disappointed, as their hopes of witnessing theBlack Stars face off against Lionel Messi and the Argentina team have been dashed.
Earlier reports suggested that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) was seriously considering Ghana as one of the teams to play in the March 2024 international window.
Excitement grew among Ghanaians when news circulated that Argentina might take on Ghana just three days after their match against China on March 26. However, the AFA officially announced its opponents on January 29, 2024, revealing that Ivory Coast and Nigeria were chosen instead.
According to the AFA’s social media post, Argentina is set to play Nigeria, a familiar opponent, and then face Ivory Coast in the final game of the international window.
This revelation sparked reactions on social media, with Ghanaians expressing their disappointment at missing the opportunity to see Messi and his team play against Dede Ayew and the Black Stars.
Speculation arises that Argentina’s decision to choose Nigeria and Ivory Coast over Ghana could be influenced by the belief that the Black Stars might not be considered a credible opponent.
This assumption is fueled by the fact that both Nigeria and Ivory Coast have qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2023 AFCON, showcasing their competitive strengths.
While Nigeria and Ivory Coast continued to progress in the tournament, the Black Stars faced an early exit from the AFCON, winning none, drawing two, and losing one of their three Group B matches.
The disappointing performance inIvory Coast led to the sacking of Chris Hughton by the Ghana Football Association. This marks the second consecutive group-stage exit for the Black Stars, following a similar fate in the 2021 edition of the AFCON.
Host Ivory Coast secured a place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after defeating reigning champions Senegal in a penalty shootout.
The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Frank Kessie converting the winning penalty. Senegal had taken an early lead through Habib Diallo, but Ivory Coast equalized with a Kessie penalty in regular time.
The quarter-final for Ivory Coast is set for Saturday, facing either Mali or Burkina Faso.
Senegal’s elimination means no reigning champion has advanced beyond the first knockout round of the Cup of Nations since 2010.
Cheikhou Kouyaté had to carry a heartbroken Lamine Camara into the dressing room after Senegal’s defeat to Ivory Coast😢#JoyAFCON
Ivory Coast, as the host nation, was unable to secure the temporary services of Hervé Renard from the France women’s team for the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Renard, who previously guided Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup title in 2015, was sought by the country’s soccer federation for another stint after the dismissal of Jean-Louis Gasset on Wednesday.
However, negotiations with the French federation for a potential loan deal for Renard faltered, failing to reach an agreement on Thursday.
“The negotiations did not finish favourably; it’s because it shouldn’t have been,” 55-year-old Renard told broadcaster Canal Plus. “I’d have loved it but fate chose otherwise.”
Ivory Coast faced a setback in their quest for automatic qualification to the knockout stage, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in their final group match on Monday.
Despite this loss, they still had an opportunity to advance as one of the four best third-place finishers.
However, Ivory Coast secured their spot in the last 16 on Wednesday, following the dismissal of Gasset, thanks to Morocco’s victory over Zambia.
The interim coach, Emerse Faé, is expected to remain in charge for the upcoming match against defending champion Senegal in Yamoussoukro on Monday.
As of now, the Ivorian Football Federation has not made any public statements on the situation.
Hervé Renard, who is highly regarded in Ivory Coast for guiding the team to their second Africa Cup title, is remembered for achieving similar success with Zambia in 2012.
Renard, who is currently coaching the France women’s team, remains a popular figure in Ivory Coast.
The group stage matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) concluded on Wednesday night with Morocco defeating Zambia and Tanzania holding DR Congo to a draw.
Morocco’s victory brought positive news for hosts Ivory Coast as they qualified as one of the four best losers.
However, for some coaches, the tournament has been challenging, leading to their dismissal or resignation.
Here are five coaches who have resigned or been sacked so far.
Chris Hughton
The Ghana Football Association showed Irish trainer Chris Hughton the exit on Tuesday night, shortly after the official confirmation of the Black Stars’ elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Hughton had led Ghana to the tournament in Ivory Coast but managed to secure only two points out of a possible nine in the group stage.
Former Ghana coach Chris Hughton
Jean-Louis Gasset
Despite Ivory Coast securing a spot in the next round of the competition, head coach Jean-Louis Gasset has also been relieved of his duties.
The Frenchman guided the Elephants to just one win from three games in the group stage. They experienced consecutive defeats against Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, resulting in a third-place finish in the group.
Jean-Louis Gasset. Credit – Garvin Barker
Tom Saintfiet
After Gambia’s inability to qualify from their group in this year’s AFCON, Tom Saintfiet announced his resignation during the press conference at the end of the game against Cameroon.
The Scorpions lost all of their group games and were unable to secure a point this year, contrasting their progress from the first round two years ago.
Djamel Belmadi
After five years in charge of the national team, Djamel Belmadi resigned from his role as the head coach of the Algeria national team.
This decision came after the team’s elimination in the group stage for the second consecutive time since winning the trophy in 2019.
An agreement was reached with the Algerian Football Association for Belmadi to step down from his position following the latest setback.
Jalel Kadri
With Tunisia also failing to advance past the group stage, Jalel Kadri stepped down from his role as the head coach of the Carthage Eagles on Wednesday.
The North African side finished at the bottom of their group, securing only two points from their three games played.
Burna Boy’s abrupt exit from a scheduled performance in Ivory Coast due to sound issues has stirred discussions and raised eyebrows.
The incident, captured on video and shared on the microblogging platform X by user @seansnoozy, showcased the disappointment of a young Ivorian who was eagerly anticipating Burna Boy’s performance in his country.
To be closer to his idol, he took on the role of a stage manager.
Initially, Burna Boy enjoyed a good rapport with the enthusiastic crowd, and the event appeared to be unfolding smoothly.
A few minutes into his performance, Burna Boy faced persistent sound issues, prompting him to angrily leave the stage. The video captured him in the car park, fervently urging the driver to move the car and depart from the venue.
While some netizens praised him for demanding perfection, others criticized him for the abrupt outburst.
In anticipation of the crucial match against Egypt, a video circulating on social media captures the sight of Ghanaian fans in the Ivory Coast engaging in open prayers, hoping for success for the national team.
Ghana is set to face Egypt in their second Group B match of the ongoing tournament after a disappointing loss to Cape Verde in their opening game.
The Black Stars are in need of a swift response to boost their chances of advancing to the knockout stages, as another defeat would be a significant setback.
Meanwhile, there have been reports that some Ghanaian supporters, who were transported by the government to the Ivory Coast for the AFCON, have been compensated with $400.
Ghana Black Stars supporters in Ivory Coast spotted praying for the Black Stars ahead of the game against Egypt.
Prayers work but when the team has bon, and they don’t put any effort don’t expect magic. Don’t the Egyptians pray as well? 👀
Ivory Coast dominated the inaugural night of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as the host nation secured a 2-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau.
The Alassane Ouattara Stadium, with its impressive 60,000-seater capacity, witnessed a vibrant opening ceremony attended by the country’s president (for whom the stadium is named) and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.
The AFCON kicked off in the late evening humidity on the outskirts of the capital city, Abidjan.
Just four minutes into the game, Les Elephants asserted their dominance as Seko Fofana netted the tournament’s first goal with a strike into the top corner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXp_E8k2Fu8
Despite this early lead, Guinea-Bissau, considered minnows and ranked outside the top 100 globally, proved to be a formidable opponent in the first half. They showcased slick movement and comfortable possession, challenging Ivory Coast’s superiority.
Although Fofana hit the crossbar and goalkeeper Ouparine Djoco made a superb save, Guinea-Bissau maintained their resilience.
Jean-Philippe Krasso extended Ivory Coast’s lead to 2-0 just before the hour mark, skillfully converting a chance created by Jonathan Bamba.
Relieved of the pressure from the opening night, Ivory Coast increased their attacking pace in pursuit of a third goal. However, Guinea-Bissau’s substitute, Franculino Dju, broke through one-on-one, forcing a strong save from Yahia Fofana.
Group A action continues on Sunday with Nigeria facing Equatorial Guinea, leading up to the highly anticipated clash between the Super Eagles and Ivory Coast on Thursday, marking a crucial match in the group stage.
In a recent straw poll conducted by football writer and analyst Joel Bortey, 60 Ghanaian sports journalists participated, expressing their opinions and predictions for the upcoming2023 Africa Cup of Nations, set to kick off in Ivory Coast in just three days.
Following the announcement of the 27-man squad on January 1, 2024, Chris Hughton’s team has been in a training camp in Kumasi, gearing up for their departure to Ivory Coast on January 10.
There has been significant speculation and discussion among football enthusiasts regarding the Black Stars’ prospects, particularly in light of their disappointing performance in the previous edition, where they exited the tournament without securing a victory for the first time in history.
As part of the ongoing evaluation to gauge improvements in the current squad in comparison to the previous edition, a decisive 88.3 percent of sports journalists have conveyed their optimism.
They cast their votes in favour of the Black Stars advancing beyond the group stage in the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Notably, the group consists of formidable opponents such as Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. This resounding endorsement reflects a prevailing confidence among sports journalists in the team’s enhanced capabilities, signalling an expectation for a superior performance in the upcoming tournament.
“The new structure of the AFCON makes it really difficult to be eliminated from the group stages. Ghana’s squad has more quality this time and worst-case scenario, they should make it one of the best third-placed teams,” a sports journalist said anonymously.
In the 2023 football calendar, the Black Stars won only four out of nine games, with a 3-1 victory over Liberia being their biggest and their worst loss being a devastating 4-0 scoreline in favour of the USA.
Many supporters of the Black Stars were furious when the senior national team lost 1-0 to the Comoros, who are ranked 119th in the FIFA rankings. Despite it being a one-goal loss, it is seen as humiliating for a nation like Ghana.
Contrary to the earlier opinion, seven out of the sixty sports journalists voted for the national team to exit the competition after their final group game.
“I only see the Black Stars winning one game out of the group they find themselves in. The current squad is 80% similar to the squad that faced Comoros on November 21, 2023. If they lost 1-0, I don’t see how they win against Cape Verde in their group opener and Egypt in the second fixture.” Another sports journalist said anonymously.
Considering the outcome of 2023, it came as a big surprise as 40% of sports journalists voted for Ghana to exit the Africa Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage.
“Despite the absence of Thomas Partey, Ghana has enough quality to make a good one in the competition. There is only a handful of teams better than the Black Stars in terms of individual players. With Mohammed Kudus and Inaki Williams in the side, there is a lot of hope.”
History seems to be on the side of the four-time champions. Since making its debut in the competition in 1963, Ghana has been to the Quarter-final stage at least 17 times in 23 appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Black Stars of Ghana are gearing up to travel to Ivory Coast to participate in the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the continent’s premier football event.
The tournament, featuring the top 24 teams, is set to commence on Saturday, January 13, 2024, with Ghana considered among the strong contenders for the title.
Having been in camp since January 1, the Black Stars will make a stylish entrance into Ivory Coast, adorned in a meticulously crafted traditional outfit, predominantly associated with the Ga ethnic group.
The team’s attire consists of an all-white ensemble, complemented by traditional slippers, creating visually striking photos and videos that showcase the country’s cultural identity.
The Black Stars’ inaugural match in the tournament is against Cape Verde, scheduled to take place at the Felix Houphet Boigny Stadium at 8:00 p.m. Ghana time (20:00 GMT). Subsequently, the team faces a highly anticipated clash against Egypt on January 18, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. (20:00 GMT) in the same venue.
This match is expected to feature a showdown between Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah and West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus.
The final group stage match for the Black Stars is against Mozambique on January 22, 2024, at the Olympic Stadium of Obimpe, with the kick-off set for 8:00 pm Ghana time (20:00 GMT). The team aims to make a significant impact in the tournament and compete fiercely for the coveted AFCON title.
In response to concerns about a potential supply shortage and record-high cocoa futures driven by production forecasts, Ivory Coast’s cocoa sector regulator is taking action.
They will not permit bean grinders to accumulate stocks exceeding authorized limits during the primary October to March harvest period.
The cocoa industry is grappling with reduced production, particularly in Ivory Coast and Ghana, the world’s top two cocoa producers, responsible for over 70% of global output. Poor weather conditions are expected to cause Ivory Coast’s main crop to decline by approximately 25% this season compared to the previous year.
Ivory Coast’s cocoa exporters and bean grinders are typically subject to annual purchasing limits aligned with their export contracts.
However, an exemption is granted by the regulator, the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), allowing grinders to stockpile enough beans to cover 45 days of grinding operations. This exemption traditionally gives them a competitive edge, ensuring a consistent bean supply to maintain their operations without disruptions.
In the current context, the CCC recognizes that this exemption could disadvantage exporters who might struggle to access the necessary volumes to fulfill their export agreements. Yves Brahima Kone, the managing director of the CCC, conveyed this concern, emphasizing the need for equitable access to cocoa resources.
“We will not allow bean processors to purchase beyond the purchase limit this year because everyone may not be able to get the cocoa they need,” Kone said.
“We are forced to make this difficult decision. There won’t be enough cocoa for everyone,” he added.
Grinders express concerns that the inability to stockpile beans may lead to shortages, affecting their capacity to meet export contracts. Some Ivory Coast grinders have conveyed to Reuters that this decision will have an impact on their production. Over the past two seasons, they have been running at full capacity, driven by a decline in cocoa grinding in Europe due to operational costs.
European bean grinders have scaled back their grinding capacity and have requested their branches in Ivory Coast to substantially increase their monthly grinding volumes to compensate.
Consequently, the monthly average of cocoa grinding in Ivory Coast has seen a steady rise, reaching nearly 60,000 metric tons per month in September, compared to around 45,000 tons in the 2019/2020 period.
This data is based on information from the Ivory Coast exporters association, GEPEX, which includes major bean processors such as Cargill, CEMOI, OLAM, and Barry Callebaut.
“With the gas and electricity crisis in Europe, it has become much more profitable to grind cocoa locally in Ivory Coast, which had led us to accelerate the pace here since 2021,” said a director of grinding plant in San-Pedro, who requested anonymity to speak candidly.
712,000 tonnes of grinding capacity can be found in Ivory Coast. It competes with the Netherlands to be the world’s top grinder. Ivory Coast has seen record highs in grinding over the last two years, with last season’s record of over 700,000 tons being reached.
712,000 tonnes of grinding capacity can be found in Ivory Coast. It competes with the Netherlands to be the world’s top grinder. Ivory Coast has seen record highs in grinding over the last two years, with last season’s record of over 700,000 tons being reached.
Robert Beugré Mambé, the Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, is now in charge of the sports department because the country will be hosting the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
His appointment is happening at a time when people are worried about whether the West African country is prepared for the biggest football tournament in Africa.
Last week, the sports minister of Ivory Coast was fired because people were unhappy with the main stadium’s bad quality.
The country has six places where matches will take place in January.
Mr Mambé was in charge of planning and managing the Francophone Games in 2017.
In preparation for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, the Black Stars of Ghana will commence their training camp in early January.
This decision followed the recent group draw in which Ghana was placed in Group B along with Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
Head coach Chris Hughton is set to unveil the provisional squad for the tournament in December, with the final squad announcement to be made in January.
The exact location for the team’s pre-tournament camp is yet to be determined, but it is anticipated that the Black Stars will convene in early January.
The final squad is expected to feature key players, as the technical staff aims to break Ghana’s 41-year AFCON trophy drought.
The 34th edition of the tournament is scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024, marking Ivory Coast’s second time hosting the event, the first being in 1984.
Members of the Church of Pentecost Tarkwa branch, have involved in an accident at Gomoa Otsew on the Kasoa-Cape Coast Highway in the Central Region.
The incident has resulted in the death of one individual, while another person has sustained injuries.
Speaking to the media, the Apam District Fire Commander, ACFO Adolf Ankomah Nuamah, indicated that the injured individual is currently undergoing treatment at the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital.
Reportedly, the accident involved a collision between a Man Diesel truck and vehicles carrying Church of Pentecost Tarkwa branch members.
The driver of the Man Diesel truck, who had returned from Ivory Coast, shared that upon reaching Gomoa Otsew, another vehicle engaged in an unlawful overtaking maneuver and abruptly merged in front of his truck.
In order to avoid a collision with the recklessly overtaking vehicle, the truck driver veered off the road and entered a nearby bush.
Tragically, the Toyota Coastal bus carrying over 22 Church members was unable to avoid the collision, impacting the rear of the truck.
“Around 5:30 pm, we received a distress call about an accident involving a Man Diesel truck from Ivory Coast, a Toyota Coastal bus carrying members of the Church of Pentecost, and a Nissan Navara bus from Accra.”
“According to the driver of the Man Diesel truck, another vehicle made an illegal overtake, forcing him to collide head-on with the Nissan Navara and the Toyota Coastal bus. One person from the bus was run over. There were twenty-two people on the Coastal bus, but one died and one was seriously injured. They were taken to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for treatment.”
Survivors have revealed that a shipwreck off the coast of Lampedusa Island, Italy, has tragically claimed the lives of 41 migrants , according to a report from local media.
Four survivors, hailing from Ivory Coast and Guinea, managed to reach Lampedusa and shared their harrowing experience with the Coast Guard.
They revealed that a total of 45 individuals, including three children, embarked from Sfax at 10 am on Thursday. Unfortunately, the boat overturned due to a powerful wave, leading to all passengers being thrown into the sea.
Distressingly, even the fifteen individuals who were equipped with life jackets succumbed to the tragedy.
This incident follows two additional shipwrecks that occurred near Lampedusa over the weekend, resulting in the loss of life, including that of a mother and her infant.
The challenging sea conditions in the Strait of Sicily have hindered rescue efforts by Italian Coast Guard vessels, which have been striving to assist stranded migrants.
Recent days have witnessed an influx of over 2,000 individuals arriving in Lampedusa after being rescued by Italian patrol boats and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at sea.
Italy is grappling with a significant surge in sea migration, with nearly 92,000 arrivals documented this year as of the latest interior ministry data, compared to over 42,600 during the same period in 2022.
Tragically, the perilous journey from North Africa to Europe has claimed the lives of more than 1,800 individuals this year, underscoring the dangers migrants face.
Italian patrol boats and charitable groups continue their efforts to save lives, having rescued an additional 2,000 individuals who recently reached Lampedusa.
Farmers stated on Monday that the main crop, which grows from October to March, was strengthened by above-average rain that fell in most of the key cocoa-growing districts of Ivory Coast last week. They also noted that there were a lot of cherelle-shaped pods on trees.
The top cocoa producer in the world is currently in its rainy season, which is defined as April to mid-November.
Farmers predicted that the main crop’s harvest would begin gradually in September, pick up steam in October, and then wind down in January. However, they added that September’s heavy rainfall might cause cocoa sickness.
“Everything’s fine with the trees at the moment. If we get enough sunshine over the coming weeks, many cherelles will survive to produce a lot of harvest,” said Raymond Dasse, who farms near the western region of Soubre, where 39.7 millimetres (mm) fell last week, 28 mm above the five-year average.
In the southern areas of Agboville and Divo, as well as the eastern region of Abengourou, where rainfall exceeded typical levels, farmers reported favorable cocoa pod development on trees. They anticipated that the primary cocoa harvest would be concentrated between November and January.
Conversely, in the center-western region of Daloa and the central areas of Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro, where rain was below average, farmers indicated positive growing conditions due to sufficient soil moisture content. They projected that substantial quantities of cocoa beans would be harvested from September.
“There are already a lot of large, almost ripe pods on the trees in some areas. But there will be a lot of picking from next month onwards,” said Marc Allangba, who farms near Daloa, where 15.9 mm fell last week, 4.1 mm below the average.
The average temperature in Ivory Coast last week ranged from 24.1 to 26.4 degrees Celsius.
Six people perished after three migrant ships capsized in the Mediterranean Sea, including a mother and baby.
A ship capsized on Sunday off the Kerkennah Islands in Tunisia, resulting in at least four fatalities and 51 being reported as missing.
A woman and child perished along with more than 30 people who are believed to be missing after two ships sank off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy, in a separate incident.
Italian coast guards found the bodies of the Ivory Coast woman and her infant child, who was one year old.
All those on board were from sub-Saharan Africa during the incident off the Kerkennah Islands, a judicial official told Reuters.
Officials from Tunisia reportedly reported discovering the bodies of 10 migrants on a beach close to Sfax.
The official told the AFP news agency that the 10 persons were discovered between Friday and Saturday amid a windstorm that might have capsized their boat.
According to Tunisian authorities, the port city is a well-liked entry point for immigrants looking for a better life in Europe.
The migrants were largely from sub-Saharan African nations, according to Sfax officials, who said they were trying to determine their nationalities. Sfax is only about 80 miles (130 kilometres) from Lampedusa.
The occurrences were under investigation, according to Italian authorities.
When the boats sank on Saturday, some 23 nautical miles (46 km) south-west of Lampedusa, the Italian coastguard reported that it had saved 57 people.
More than 30 people had been reported missing earlier, according to the International Organisation for Migration, the UN’s migration agency.
Firefighters and mountain rescue teams were getting ready to save 20 migrants who were stranded on a rocky section of Lampedusa’s coastline on Sunday.
After the boats were forced against the rocks by heavy winds late on Friday, the migrants have been there ever since.
The NGO Open Arms reported that it has begun disembarking 195 rescued migrants in the port of Brindisi in southern Italy after more than two days of sailing in rough weather.
The investigation’s police chief, Emanuele Ricifari, told local media that the traffickers would have been aware of the impending severe seas.
“Whoever allowed them, or forced them, to leave with this sea is an unscrupulous criminal lunatic,” Mr. Ricifari remarked.
Another 2,000 people who have arrived on the island in recent days have been rescued by Italian patrol vessels and humanitarian organisations.
Some of the migrants have received food, water, clothing, and emergency thermal blankets from the Red Cross.
The International media have reported that the former president of Ivory Coast, Henri Konan Bedie, has passed away at the age of 89.
Mr. Bedie served as the country’s second head of state after the death of Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993.
During his presidency, there were allegations of widespread corruption and an economic downturn, which eventually led to his ousting in a military coup in 1999.
Despite being born into a relatively poor family, Bedie excelled academically and pursued higher education in France, where he earned a doctorate in economics.
In recent years, he made attempts to return to power but was defeated by his long-time political rival, President Alassane Ouattara.
The cause of Mr. Bedie’s death is currently unknown, and the nation is mourning the loss of this significant figure.
Despite their political rivalry, he was widely regarded as a wise leader who advocated for peace and national unity.
Many Ivorians are paying tribute to him on social media to honor his legacy.
Ghana’s U20 national team,Black Satellites have been eliminated from the 2023 WAFU Zone B U20 Cup of Nations tournament following a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast on Thursday.
To progress to the semifinals of the sub-regional tournament, Samuel Boadu’s team needed a victory.
However, they fell short in their final Group A match held at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan.
As a result, the Black Satellites finished third in their group with a total of two points, concluding their underwhelming campaign.
Burkina Faso secured the top spot in the group with nine points, advancing alongside Ivory Coast.
Ghana’s journey in the tournament began with a 1-1 draw against an underestimated Niger side, with a late goal conceded in that particular match.
In their second game, they were humiliated by Burkina Faso 2-0 and also finished the game with 10 players before Thursday’s draw with the host nation.
This is a second successive WAFU B tournament the Black Satellites have failed to make a mark.
A 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso, AGAIN, in May 2022 in their final group game denied Ghana the opportunity to defend their title in the2023 U20 AFCON.
A 1-1 tie with host nation Côte d’Ivoire in their final Group A encounter at the Champroux Stadium has shown Ghana the exit.
Ghana’s U-20 national football team, the Black Satellites, was eliminated from the group stages of the 2023 WAFU Zone B Boys U-20 Cup of Nations today.
The team of Samuel Baodu needed to win in order to advance to the semifinals, but they were unable to do so.
Their campaign got off to a difficult start as they conceded an early lead and settled for a 1-1 draw against Niger in their opening game.
Ghana’s hopes of moving on were made more difficult with a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in their second game.
Ghana failed to achieve the desired outcome in the pivotal Group A match against Côte d’Ivoire, ultimately settling for a 1-1 draw. They failed to go to the semifinals as a result, and the tournament eliminated them.
Burkina Faso defeated Niger 2-0 in the other Group A match, taking first place in the division with a total of 9 points.
In the other Group A encounter, Burkina Faso triumphed over Niger with a 2-0 victory, finishing atop the group with a total of 9 points.
Côte d’Ivoire secured the second spot with 4 points, while Ghana settled for third place with 2 points.
Niger ended their campaign at the bottom of the group, earning a single point.
A group of African football legends has arrived in Ivory Coast for the draw of Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in Abidjan on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
The team of African players includes renowned names such as Asamoah Gyan, El-Hadji Diouf, Emmanuel Adebayor, Jay Jay Okocha, and Anthony Baffoe, among others.
The presence of these African legends is expected to bring excitement and spectacle to the CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, CAF has introduced a new qualification format consisting of nine groups, each comprising six teams.
The top nine teams from each group will secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The four best second-placed teams from the groups will engage in playoffs. The winner of this playoff will then compete against a team from the CONCACAF zone for a chance to secure the tenth and final spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The best-ranked teams in Africa were seeded in Pot A and it includes; Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Cameroon, Mali, Egypt and Ivory Coast.
Ghana was placed in Pot B alongside, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Guinea, Zambia, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea
The top nine teams who will emerge from each group will automatically qualify for the2026 World Cup.
The qualifiers are scheduled to take place over two years, from November 2023 to November 2025.
Officials have reported that heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides in Abidjan, the main city of Ivory Coast, have resulted in the tragic loss of at least 10 lives, according to AFP news agency.
The district of Yopougon accounted for nine fatalities, while the remaining victim was in Cocody-Angre. The head of the military firefighting brigade (GPSM) confirmed these details to AFP.
The unfortunate incidents occurred in Yopougon during the early hours of Thursday, where two landslides caused not only fatalities but also several injuries.
Source: The Weather Channel
In Cocody-Angre someone drowned after being “swept away by the waters”, Anicet Bah, GSPM captain and deputy head of operations, told AFP.
Heavy rains are not unusual at this time of year in Abidjan.
Didier Drogba, an iconic figure in African football, has attributed the continent’s challenges in the World Cup to frequent changes in coaching staff.
The legendary Ivory Coast player argues that in order for African teams to be competitive, they should adopt long-term projects with coaches and refrain from dismissing managers hastily in response to minor setbacks.
During his address at the 2023 Afreximbank Conference in Accra, Drogba stressed that this practice is widespread across African countries and advised against it, highlighting how it hampers team cohesion and development.
“It is not just about Ivory Coast but it is the same everywhere. We hire a national team coach. We win all the qualifying games for the World Cup of the Africa Cup of Nations.
“We go to the Africa Cup of Nations and we lose in the quarter-final, the next day or the next hour the manager is out. And we hire a new manager, this guy is coming in and he knows that for example in Ivory Coast national team you have Yaya Toure, Kolo Tour, Salomon Kalou, Didier Zokora, Didier Drogba.
“He [the new coach] is watching the premier league weekend, he is not going to think much, he is going to play the same team otherwise for him it’s easy to put the same team and we go like that same circle. Two years later he is out, you don’t build anything by hiring new managers. Give them time.”
The former Chelsea man referenced France manager Didier Deschamps situation, stating that he would have lost his job in 2016 if he were head coach of an African side.
“Look at Didier Deschamp, he has been with the French national team for almost a decade.
“He lost the Euros in 2016 in France can you imagine if this happened in Ivory and Ghana?” Didier Drogba said at this year’s Afreximbank Conference in Accra.
Since Africa’s debut at the World Cup in 1934, the continent has had only four representatives in the quarter-final with only one managing to reach the semis.
The list includes Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco. Morocco became the first African country to reach the semi-finals in 2022 when they beat Spain.
Former midfielder for Ivory Coast and Manchester City, Yaya Toure has been appointed first team coach at Standard Liege in Belgium’s premier division.
Before to the 2023–23 season, the 40-year-old will join the technical staff as Carl Heofkens’ assistant coach alongside Frazer Robertson.
For the past 18 months, Toure has served as Tottenham Hotspurs’ Academy coach in England.
“With the arrival of Yaya TOURÉ as T2, the staff of our 1st team is now complete. Yaya will assist Carl HOEFKENS along with Geoffrey VALENNE and Frazer ROBERTSON,” wrote the club on their official website.
The former Barcelona star expressed gratitude to Tottenham for giving him the opportunity to hone his skills as manager.
“I would like to thank everyone at the Tottenham Hotspur academy for their support in the 18 months I spent with the club. A special media to Dean Rastrick, Chris Powell and all the young players. Thank you,” he wrote on Twitter.
The former Ivory Coast international enjoyed a stellar career abroad where he played for the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City. He also played for AS Monaco and had a short spell in China.
Toure named Tottenham U18 coach
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that African football great, Yaya Toure has been named Tottenham Hotspur youth team coach ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The Manchester City legend has been working with Tottenham’s developmental team since December as he acquired his coaching badges.
And according to the Evening Standard, the 39-year-old is set to join the North London club’s coaching staff on a permanent deal.
Toure rejects former agent’s claim
Former Manchester City midfielder,Yaya Toure, has furiously reacted to his ex-agent’s claims that he placed a curse on the club’s UEFA Champions League ambitions.
Dimitri Seluk, Toure’s former agent, stated on Monday morning that the Ivory Coast legend has lifted the curse after patching up his differences with City manager Pep Guardiola.
Following Guardiola and City’s 2020 UEFA Champions League final defeat, reports went rife that Toure had cursed the club.
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghanahas expressed dissatisfaction with government’s lack of action in addressing the high taxes imposed at the ports.
This, according to the Association, is believed to have resulted in Ghana losing a significant portion of its cargo traffic to Lomé.
The Association also believes that thegovernmenthas not treated players within the ports industry fairly, even after making several promises in the run-up to the 2016 elections to deal with excessive taxes at the ports.
In an interview with the media, the Executive Secretary of the Association, Sampson Asaki Awingobit, noted that they will collaborate with their sister associations to deepen their demands.
“They kept on compounding us with taxes, tariffs, and charges, and that led to a total sharp deduction. We have lost huge cargoes to Ivory Coast and Lomé, and that is true.
“We will collaborate with other organizations to ensure that the government does something about it.”
A group of aggrieved youth inNkrankwanta, in the Dormaa West District of the Bono Region, have attacked officers of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) who were stationed in the area to prevent illegal activities at the Nkrankwanta-Ivory Coast border.
The attackers were said to have arrested some officers, who were on duty and also succeeded in vandalising the duty post, including some of the station’s operational logistics.
The agitators, yet to be identified, destroyed items such as computers, airconditioners, chairs and tables, a refrigerator, book shelves and documents, among others.
Cause of attack
It is alleged that one of the officers, stationed at the post, last Sunday knocked down a female resident with a patrol motorbike, killing her on the spot.
In reaction to the incident, the youth attacked the two officers who were on the motorbike and later stormed the station to beat other officers up and arrested some of them in their homes.
However, some of the officers managed to escape to safety and made calls to their colleagues and other opinion leaders from the community to come to their aid.
It is unclear the number of the officers who were at post during the time of the incident and the safety of the officers, including those who were arrested.
Commander visits
The Daily Graphic gathered from the Bono Regional GIS Command yesterday that the Regional Commander had led a delegation to the area to assess the extent of injuries, damages and intervene to restore calm.
“It is true, we had a report from the station, but right now, I can’t grant any further information without authorisation from the Regional Commander”, the source explained.
It said the Regional Commander had gone to the scene to ascertain the fact and situation on the ground.
