OK so I arrived in Accra, the Ghanaian capital late afternoon on Tuesday 7 January 2020 on secondment from my home institution, Abertay University Dundee. The arrival happened to coincide with the maiden celebration of the Constitution Day in Ghana, as well as something that seemed to captivate my attention – i.e. youth development through sports.

Prior to my African scholarly adventure, little did I know that my arrival would coincide with two major events. The Constitution Day 2020 in Ghana and the 2020 Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) Games hosted by the University of Ghana, which also happened to be my host institution.

The Theme of the 2020 GUSA is one I would return to “Integrating Sports into Academia for Youth Empowerment and Development.” For now, however, here is some context.

Currently in its 26th edition, the 2020 GUSA Games is a 17-day event, which runs between 3-19 January 2020. In all eleven (11) universities are competing (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST; University for Development Studies, UDS; University for Health and Allied Science, UHAS; Ghana Institute of Journalism; Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA); George Grant University of Mines and Technology, University of Education Winneba; University of Professional Studies; and the University of Energy and Natural Resource) in  twelve (12) disciplines (football, basketball, volleyball, netball, hockey, badminton, tennis and athletics) among others.

The opening ceremony took place on 4 January 2020 to great aplomb. 

At its official launch, Dr Bella Bello Bitugu, Director of Sports at the University of Ghana assured a world-class hosting of the event. According to him:

“We are very happy and looking forward to these games and we are really getting ready towards it because we want to host games that reflect the standard of a world-class university so we look forward so much. I don’t think we have so many challenges or difficulties.”

Having won the event for a record 4th consecutive times, the University of Cape Coast (UCC) are set to face stiffer competition from the University of Ghana who are aiming for a host-and-win. However, Dr. Bella Bitugu, Director of Sports at the University of Ghana (UG), does not believe in the mantra of “host and win” in competitions, but believes that the idea of hosting and winning competitions at all cost was not part of his philosophies. As he reportedly pointed out on the idea of hosting and winning competitions at all cost: 

“UG had no intention of host and win for this year’s GUSA Games, but rather provide an avenue for young people to unearth their talents” rather “Our main aim is to develop and help young talented athletes, and give them competitive spirit for future international games…”

I was privileged to witness the clash between the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) team as they took on the Kumasi based Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Recall the theme for this year’s event? “Integrating Sports into Academia for Youth Empowerment and Development.” Ultimately, while Knowledge might be Power, Sports is a “Power broker”.

I’m still loving the opportunity of working on the ManaGlobal Project on secondment from my home institution, Abertay University Dundee.

The story of Thomas Goodness Shekwobyalo has exposed another problem with our education system – applying the quota system in university admission processes.

Thomas Goodness Shekwobyalo, a young lady from Niger State, scored 302 in her UTME (aka JAMB). She chose Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria as her choice of university, and medicine as her course of study. She sat for ABU’s post-UTME and scored 274, giving her the average of 288. However, despite her high scores in both UTME and post-UTME she was denied admission into medicine by ABU because the institution pegs its merit admission list for medicine at two candidates per state. Since there are two other candidates from Niger State that scored higher than Shekwobyalo, she lost out in the admission. As an alternative, she opted for Anatomy.

Though JAMB intervened in her case and compelled ABU to offer Shekwobyalo admission into medicine, her story has shown that a lot of candidates must have suffered the same fate and that many had no one to speak for them. It has shown that ABU doesn’t offer admission based on “merit” but based on quota system. It has exposed the fact that ABU, and maybe some other higher institutions, distribute merit admission on state basis, not based on academic performance. It also shows that it is possible that in a class where someone that scored 300 in UTME was denied admission, someone that scored 200 may be found.

The story of Shekwobyalo reminded me of what my mother passed through while seeking for admission into ABU, Zaria in the early 80’s. She wanted to study Home Economics and she sat for JAMB twice but missed admission both times. She claimed that people she performed better than were offered admission based on merit but she wasn’t. According to her, when she tried to see if she will be in the supplementary list (on her second trial) she was told bluntly that the only way non-indigenes could be admitted into departments that have high demands was through merit lists. Any other list that comes after that is for “their people”. She also claimed that she was offered Arabic Studies but she refused the offer because that wasn’t her interest.

Honestly, I thought my mother was making excuses for her “failure” (lol) because what she said didn’t make then. But now I understand better.

I don’t really know the reason behind ABU’s decision to process their admissions this way, but it is high time they reversed it. Education isn’t Federal Civil Service, where jobs are “shared” among States of the federation. Nor is it the private sector, where special positions are reserved for people from specific areas or families. Nigerians should be treated equally in every university in the country, irrespective of their states of origin.

The more I think about this admission “bias” the more I see reasons for the high number of “half-baked”, “unqualified” and “uneducated” graduates that filled our streets. If someone that wanted to study medicine (and is intelligent enough to do so) is pushed out of the way so that there will be space to bring in someone that struggled to pass Chemistry, Physics and Biology in secondary school, I think the whole system has failed humanity. This is exactly what this method of admission is doing. I have always known merit lists to be based on academic performance and never on state of origin. But thanks to Shekwobyalo’s case, we now know why it is difficult to gain admission into courses of choice in ABU, Zaria.

Another problem that arises from this method of admission is that a lot of people are pushed into courses they don’t desire. I know it will be advisable to continue trying until one gets the course of choice, but how long will you write JAMB before you find yourself among the best two in your state? By the time you try out two or three times and it didn’t work out, you will be forced to opt for courses that you find less attractive, just so you can become an undergraduate (and people like this don’t always do well in their studies). Some others may decide to change schools of choice or find other things doing.

It is good that JAMB has discovered what is wrong with ABU, Zaria’s admission method; it is time for them to call the school to order and make them change their method. It is also necessary that the concerned ministries and agencies monitor the admission processes of other higher institutions to ensure that tribalism isn’t embedded in their methods. Education knows no tribe, religion, age, race and sex; admission into higher institutions should also not put those into consideration. People should be admitted based on their academic performances; anything else is irrelevant.

Singer and Rapper Akon is building his own city in his home country of Senegal. The Music star tweeted that the final approval for the city named “Akon Crypto City” has been granted, and the city will become a reality in the near future.

In 2018, Akon revealed his plan to develop a crypto city where digital life will thrive and the power infrastructure will depend solely on solar energy. The city is to be situated on a 2,000-acre land gifted to him by the Senegalese president.

For the last few years, Akon has gone from the man known for his songs, Lonely, Ghetto, locked up etc. to a man trying to provide electricity for 600 million people among other things. The famous musician’s quest for a private city appears to have come from his zeal for a digital environment powered by cleaner energy.

The singer, born Aliaune Damala Badara, revealed in an interview with Nick Cannon’s radio show Power 106 Los Angeles, that the city is going to be 100% digital currency, and mainly his own “AKoin, while it is powered by solar energy.

“It’s Akon City. It’s all renewable, the Akontainment solar city. A real physical place, it’s going to have a real airport… it’s a 10 year building block so we’re doing it in stages. We started construction in March and stage two is going to be 2025,” he told Cannon.

The city is located five minutes away from the airport and it is close to the Senegalese capital, Dakar. Akon also wants AKoin to go beyond Akon City. He told Cannon that he would want the crypto coin to go international and that it’s something he is enthusiastic about more than the Akon City.

“You might just go to vacation and when you transfer your American dollars into their money, you might just be transferring it into AKoins. That’s the goal,” he said.

The singer has been thrilled by the concept of having a dominant crypto currency that would be acceptable across Africa’s 52 countries and that would stimulate and support youth development, economic stability and create opportunity and inclusion for youth entrepreneurship.

At a time when Africa is deeply in need of a single currency to foster integration, Akon feels that his crypto coin could provide the needed help. Being available in 54 countries so far, the crypto currency is on a mission to create an environment that will trump the hurdles of varying currencies that have posed a challenge to African businesses, especially entrepreneurs who have limited resources when it comes to financial transactions across the continent.

“I think that blockchain and crypto could be the savior for Africa in many ways because it brings the power back to the people… Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology offer a more secure currency that enables people to advance themselves independent of the government,” Akon said at an event held in Cannes France.

He explained that his crypto coin is designed to allow people to do things in a way that government policies or regulations will not hold them down. “It allows the people to utilize it in ways where they can advance themselves and not allow government to do those things that are keeping them down.”

Many have been skeptical about the Akon Crypto City project, but Akon Lighting Africa has shown that the Grammy nominee has what it takes to pull it off. He said: “I come with the concept and let the geeks figure it out.”

The first two years of the Lighting Africa project saw it moved to 17 African countries, where finance was provided for smaller solar panels. The project is said to be available in about 25 countries right now in Africa, and has earned recognition by the UN. Last year, the Lighting Africa Organization secured a $1 billion credit line to push the project further to other African nations yet to be reached.

The Akon Crypto City has become a dream that many can’t wait to see come true.

Barcelona has a new coach, his name is Quique Setien. He signed a two and a half years contract to replace the embattled Ernesto Valverde. Setien who has not hidden his admiration of Johan Cruyff and his style of football appeared perfect for the role of giving instructions at the dressing room. The former Real Betis  coach has the club’s philosophy and he is poised to win where Valverde failed, though it’s a long shot based on hope, the realities may play the other way round.

Meanwhile, it was a sad day for Barcelona coach, Ernesto Valverde, as he was informed by the club that his services are no longer needed at Camp Nou. But his sadness brought joy to millions of fans who have wanted the announcement for a long. “FC Barcelona deserves better” the say.

The failures that ousted Valverde

About three seasons ago, when Valverde was hired to lead the Catalans, he didn’t see his career ending this way. A bit of celebration and then, sadness and revolt from disappointed fans trailed part of his time as the head coach of the Catalan giants. And when you are at the helm of affairs in Barcelona, you know better than give the fans reasons to complain.

In 2017/18 season, it was a jolly ride for both parties in domestic and champions’ leagues, until the journey to Rome, where the wind blew and exposed the lump behind the fowl. Barcelona had 3 1 advantage, a good lead they needed to defend to secure a place in the champions league final. It was a good bet to the fans, no way Roma was going to overturn a first leg 3 1 lead, it’s impossible; after all, the team is Barcelona.

It was at the end of 93 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico that reality set in; hopes dashed, dreams shattered, and bets were lost. AS Roma did the unthinkable, they pulled the wolf power and turned the table. It was an unforgettable night, and the memory hurts the Cules to the pleasure of their rivals.

Though there were good times, at the end of 2017/18 season, Valverde delivered la liga and Copa de Rey, a pain reliever that somehow assuaged the bitter memory of Rome, by giving the fans something to celebrate and be happy about.

When the season started in August 2018, the club, the team, and the fans were all armed with hope of regaining what was lost, the Champions League trophy. Even Lionel Messi dared to make the promise that the team will bring it back to Camp Nou. But the hope and promise were responsibilities resting on the man who wouldn’t be in the pitch, but would take responsibility for anything that happens.

Barcelona made progress, beating Chelsea to face Liverpool in the semi-final was something the fans needed to keep their hope alive. Though the road to Madrid was still far away, Liverpool was an obstacle that needed to be removed to get closer. In the first leg of the encounter between Barcelona and the English side at Camp Nou, it was a thrilling display of the beautiful game. Barcelona was commanding the play and scoring goals. At the end of ninety minutes, the Catalans appeared to have sealed their place in the final with a 3 0 win over Liverpool – so everyone thought until the night of the second leg in Anfield.

The Liverpool vs. Barcelona match happened to be the most disappointing and impressive comeback in recent times: Disappointing to Barcelona and Impressive to Liverpool. At the end of the 90 minutes Liverpool has managed to cancel their three goals deficit and was going for the win. And the winner happened in the quickest way possible (Origi took the corner quickly) and there was jubilation for the winning goal against Barcelona.

It was a repetition of what happened in Rome a year ago. So no lesson was learnt and no trophy would be won. The devastation of the 2019 champions league season would later hunt Barcelona for a long time if not forever. The trolls on social media were something the fans couldn’t hold off, and pains went along with it.

The anger and disappointment were bulging out from the heart to the mouth; there were #ValverdeOut protests now and then by fans. But the club was patient; the coach has won two league trophies and deserves to be respected. In May 2019, there was yet another chance for the coach to appease the club and fans, the Spanish Supercup. But it went the way of others; Valencia beat Barcelona to it, having done so in the Copa del Rey final which gave them the cup over Barcelona.

Since then, it has been a struggle for the coach to win the confidence of the board and that of fans. The dwindling performance became less than average as the poor outing in the just concluded Spanish Supercup in Saudi Arabia has shown. Barcelona didn’t make it to the final, they lost to Atletico Madrid. It was as if any time the club gets close to a trophy, they put up their worst performance. Although Valverde doesn’t play in pitch, he plays in the training pitch and in the dressing room, telling players what to do and what not to do, with the full authority to punish any who doesn’t go by his rules.

In the end, Barcelona has had enough, the need for new hands and fresh ideas were communicated, Ernesto Valverde lost his job and Quique Setién got his.