Minority in Parliament Warns of Food Smuggling Crisis Undermining Ghanaian Farmers
On Friday, December 5, a stern warning echoed from Ghana’s Parliament as Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin sounded the alarm over rampant food smuggling undermining the nation’s farmers and threatening food security. In a statement released that day, Afenyo-Markin revealed that rice, fish, and other essential food products, often smuggled into the country and repackaged by politically connected individuals, are saturating local markets. These imported goods are sold at prices far below those of locally produced foods, leaving Ghanaian farmers and fishers unable to compete. “This is happening even as our farmers battle unsold produce and our fishers face scarcity at sea,” the Minority statement read. “Cheap, expired, and smuggled products continue to destroy local markets. A nation blessed with fertile land and abundant waters cannot continue to allow this to happen.” The Minority pointed out that already, farmers and fishers are grappling with rising production costs, logistical hurdles, and insufficient government support. The unchecked inflow of smuggled foods, they argued, only worsens these difficulties, further squeezing the livelihoods of those who form the backbone of the country’s economy. The Minority called for urgent government action to clamp down on food smuggling. They urged authorities to rigorously enforce customs and import regulations, punish offenders, and create a level playing field for local producers. Additionally, the government was called upon to prioritize the purchase of unsold domestic grains, ensure reliable premix fuel supplies for fishing communities, and strengthen national programmes to support modernized agriculture and aquaculture practices. Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasized the critical role of Ghanaian farmers and fishers in sustaining the nation’s food security and economy. “Our producers deserve policies that safeguard their markets, support their livelihoods, and ensure that they can compete fairly while feeding the nation.” As Parliament’s Minority sounds the alarm, the spotlight is now firmly on the government to take decisive action to protect Ghana’s food systems and those who sustain them. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Drawn into Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama for 2026 FIFA World Cup
The tension was palpable at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as nations around the world tuned in for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw. For Ghanaian fans, anticipation quickly turned to excitement and determination when the Black Stars were drawn into Group L, alongside football powerhouses England and Croatia, as well as Panama. This group promises high-octane competition, with Ghana needing to navigate formidable opponents to keep their dreams of a deep World Cup run alive. Memories of 2010 still linger, when Ghana came agonizingly close to becoming the first Sub-Saharan African nation to reach the semi-finals in South Africa. That historic run remains their best performance yet, a source of both pride and motivation. The 2026 tournament marks a new chapter for Ghana, as it will be their fifth World Cup appearance. This edition is particularly special, as it is co-hosted across three countries, the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and features an expanded lineup of 48 nations instead of the traditional 32. The event’s grand scale was evident in the draw, with a screenshot from the live event displaying all 12 groups, from A to L, capturing the global spirit of the competition. Despite recent setbacks, including a lackluster showing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and a disappointing campaign at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghanaian supporters have reasons for renewed optimism. Under Coach Otto Addo, the team’s performances during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers improved dramatically. Ghana dominated Group I, overcoming Mali, Chad, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Madagascar, signaling a possible resurgence at just the right time. Now, with their group-stage opponents revealed, the Black Stars are set for another shot at World Cup glory. The road ahead is challenging, but Ghana’s journey in Group L promises to be one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Trump wins inaugural FIFA Peace Prize
United States President Donald Trump received the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize before the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The award has been introduced this year by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, designated for a person who has “taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace” and “united people across the world”. It was widely expected that Trump, who arrived at the ceremony with Infantino and has made several public appearances with him in recent months, would be the winner. That was confirmed at the ceremony in Washington DC on Friday. As well as receiving a large golden trophy, Trump was also given a medal and certificate by Infantino before making a speech. Trump stated he had saved “tens of millions of lives” through diplomatic interventions and had “stopped wars happening just before they started”. “This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” Trump said, before claiming that the 2026 World Cup has set a new record for ticket sales. “Gianni has done an incredible job. It is a nice tribute to you and the game of football, or as we call it soccer. It is beyond the numbers we thought were possible,” Trump said. “The world is a safer place now. The USA was not doing well a year ago; now we are the hottest country in the world right now.” The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and will take place between June 11 and July 19. Trump later returned to the stage alongside Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney to perform the ceremonial opening to the draw. The three leaders drew the balls of their respective nations, which had already been assigned their groups. Afterwards, the trio posed for a selfie taken by Infantino. Mexico are in Group A – and will play in the tournament’s opening match – while Canada are in Group B and USA feature in Group D. Trump, after repeating his comments about ticket sales, joked about the name clash between American football and what Americans generally call soccer. “We have to find another name for the NFL,” Trump said. “This is football, we call it soccer here in the USA but it is really football. It doesn’t make sense that we call it soccer.” | Getty Images (Pic): Trump and Infantino have appeared together at many public events in recent months Analysis: A draw with a political feel Staged just a mile from the White House, this is a World Cup draw with a distinctly political feel. The glittering ceremony is at the Kennedy Center, the famous Washington arts venue now chaired by US President Donald Trump after he overhauled its board this year. Alongside stars from football, US sports and show business, Trump was in attendance, as will the leaders of the other two co-hosts – Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. Proceedings, however, seem to have been planned with the US president very much in mind. Seventies group Village People were booked to play YMCA, a Trump favourite that is regularly heard at his campaign rallies. And, in a break with tradition, the draw ceremony featured the awarding of a new Fifa Peace Prize. Such gestures will only underline the alliance forged between the US president and Fifa’s Infantino, who announced the award last month, saying that Trump deserved to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, and enthusiastically praising his policies. For critics, such moves are a threat to Fifa’s commitment to political neutrality, one enshrined in its statutes, and risk turning the draw – and the tournament itself – into propaganda tools. Those critics believe Infantino and Trump are effectively too close for comfort, and that it sends a message that world football’s governing body is aligning with the Make America Great Again (Maga) movement, and endorsing what many feel is a divisive administration. Asked about the new peace award, amid reports that the Fifa Council was not consulted about it, one senior official at the governing body told BBC Sport: “Why can’t this be bigger than the Nobel Peace Prize? Football has huge global support, so it’s right that it recognises extraordinary efforts to bring about peace every year.” They pointed to the fact that in 2019 there was no such controversy when Fifa gave the president of Argentina an award to honour his contribution to football, and said the organisation deserves praise for endorsing peace in a divided world. Source: bbc.com