The Final Countdown
Ghana has been hit by an epidemic of World Cup fever. Tension for tomorrow's second round showdown with defending champions Brazil has reached unbearable (and probably unhealthy) levels. The media has been talking World Cup, World Cup and more World Cup.
I can find no better example to illustrate this trend than my journey into town on a tro-tro this morning. It was a packed bus and everyone was talking to each other, even if they were complete strangers, about one subject: the match. I couldn't understand most of the conversations, but I recognised the names of Ghanaian and Brazilian players being mentioned time after time. People were excitedly discussing all the possible team arrangements, selections of players, the strengths and weaknesses of both sides and, of course, possible outcomes of the tie. The first passenger to alight was a woman in a smart grey suit; it looked like she was getting off early because she'd heard enough.
The national mentality is very optimistic for the Black Stars, with high levels of positive vibes from victories over the USA and Czech Republic - two teams considerably higher in the rankings than Ghana.
All of Africa's hopes now rest with the World Cup newcomers. I dread to think what kind of pressure this exerts on the players. But then again, maybe there is no pressure. I don't think anyone expected Ghana to get this far; they wrere major underdogs in the group stage and that's still the same. It probably ended up helping them. The world might be hoping they manage to beat Brazil, but does anyone really expect it to happen?
I'm not saying the team has no chance, because actually I believe quite the opposite. This could be a golden opportunity to upset a Brazil side yet to hit top gear in the tournament. Some of the displays in group games were less than convincing and, unless they improve, there could be a massive shock on the cards.
To me, the key to this match for Ghana lies in the opening exchanges. If the Black Stars can frustrate Brazil in the first half and maybe nick a sneaky goal, the second 45 minutes will be a very interesting story. It is absolutely crucial not to concede an early goal, because once a team like Brazil gets rolling it is near impossible to stop.
The bus journey described earlier was taking Kwame and I to central Accra, where he had to visit the World Bank headquarters to finalise some paperwork. I'd never actually been to the city centre before, so it was fascinating to see as the tro-tro zoomed onwards. It's a lot more built-up than the outskirts and you see many more indicators of westernisation and big business. Branches of major banks are frequent and tall, European-style office blocks are starting to spring up. Such a huge contrast from the small dwellings, bungalows and local communities around the area of Kwame's place and in other suburbs.
World Bank HQ was one of thse modern structures, situated on a quietish road just off a main highway. Kwame had to drop by and sign the contract which secures his organisation, the Global Youth Action Network, a historic grant of $40,000 to implement a groundbreaking new project. Quite significantly, this will involve establishing a full-scale country office for Ghana - meaning Kwame and his team of hard-working volunteers will finally have the resources needed to make an even greater impact. Hopefully, this successful funding application can act as a platform for more of the same thing in future, giving GYAN the chance to firmly establish itself as a leading agent for change here in Ghana.
After this brief engagement we went back out into the punishing midday heat and paid a visit to the University of Ghana. The secretariat of the country's new Association of Youth Workers is housed there and Kwame needed to pay them a visit. We met one of the interim directors, who told us about his organisation's vision and the big ideas it has for youth workers in Ghana. One of the most important targets is trying to secure a better professional reputation fo people employed in the youth sector - something which will be keenly pursued when the organisation is properly up and running. This is an issue not unusual to me from experience of youth work in the UK; the occupation is regarded by many as having secondary importance to the trade of teaching, when really I believe they deserve equal status and are maybe not even fully comparable.
I can find no better example to illustrate this trend than my journey into town on a tro-tro this morning. It was a packed bus and everyone was talking to each other, even if they were complete strangers, about one subject: the match. I couldn't understand most of the conversations, but I recognised the names of Ghanaian and Brazilian players being mentioned time after time. People were excitedly discussing all the possible team arrangements, selections of players, the strengths and weaknesses of both sides and, of course, possible outcomes of the tie. The first passenger to alight was a woman in a smart grey suit; it looked like she was getting off early because she'd heard enough.
The national mentality is very optimistic for the Black Stars, with high levels of positive vibes from victories over the USA and Czech Republic - two teams considerably higher in the rankings than Ghana.
All of Africa's hopes now rest with the World Cup newcomers. I dread to think what kind of pressure this exerts on the players. But then again, maybe there is no pressure. I don't think anyone expected Ghana to get this far; they wrere major underdogs in the group stage and that's still the same. It probably ended up helping them. The world might be hoping they manage to beat Brazil, but does anyone really expect it to happen?
I'm not saying the team has no chance, because actually I believe quite the opposite. This could be a golden opportunity to upset a Brazil side yet to hit top gear in the tournament. Some of the displays in group games were less than convincing and, unless they improve, there could be a massive shock on the cards.
To me, the key to this match for Ghana lies in the opening exchanges. If the Black Stars can frustrate Brazil in the first half and maybe nick a sneaky goal, the second 45 minutes will be a very interesting story. It is absolutely crucial not to concede an early goal, because once a team like Brazil gets rolling it is near impossible to stop.
The bus journey described earlier was taking Kwame and I to central Accra, where he had to visit the World Bank headquarters to finalise some paperwork. I'd never actually been to the city centre before, so it was fascinating to see as the tro-tro zoomed onwards. It's a lot more built-up than the outskirts and you see many more indicators of westernisation and big business. Branches of major banks are frequent and tall, European-style office blocks are starting to spring up. Such a huge contrast from the small dwellings, bungalows and local communities around the area of Kwame's place and in other suburbs.
World Bank HQ was one of thse modern structures, situated on a quietish road just off a main highway. Kwame had to drop by and sign the contract which secures his organisation, the Global Youth Action Network, a historic grant of $40,000 to implement a groundbreaking new project. Quite significantly, this will involve establishing a full-scale country office for Ghana - meaning Kwame and his team of hard-working volunteers will finally have the resources needed to make an even greater impact. Hopefully, this successful funding application can act as a platform for more of the same thing in future, giving GYAN the chance to firmly establish itself as a leading agent for change here in Ghana.
After this brief engagement we went back out into the punishing midday heat and paid a visit to the University of Ghana. The secretariat of the country's new Association of Youth Workers is housed there and Kwame needed to pay them a visit. We met one of the interim directors, who told us about his organisation's vision and the big ideas it has for youth workers in Ghana. One of the most important targets is trying to secure a better professional reputation fo people employed in the youth sector - something which will be keenly pursued when the organisation is properly up and running. This is an issue not unusual to me from experience of youth work in the UK; the occupation is regarded by many as having secondary importance to the trade of teaching, when really I believe they deserve equal status and are maybe not even fully comparable.
posted by Frederick at 02:30
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