Smallholder farmers in northern Ghana are calling for the establishment of a Northern commodity exchange to improve market access, stabilise prices and strengthen agribusiness value chains.

Speaking after the launch of the Private Sector and Innovation Promotion (PSINNO) Project at the University for Development Studies (UDS) Dungu Campus in Tamale, Chief Executive Officer of Boressa Investment Ltd, Hajia Rafiatu Iddisah, said many farmers still have unsold 2025 harvests due to weak market linkages, price volatility and limited access to buyers.

She proposed a commodity trading platform bringing together all value-chain actors under the leadership of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), supported by formal agreements with agribusiness firms to facilitate timely produce purchases and improve farmers’ incomes.

According to her, the situation has tied up capital needed for the current farming season, posing a significant threat to production. She also urged government to reduce rice and maize imports and strengthen procurement systems to prioritise locally produced grains for public institutions.

Hajia Iddisah further highlighted challenges including limited access to finance, land constraints for women farmers and the impact of climate change. She noted that many farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture, with prolonged droughts and delayed rainfall significantly reducing yields.

She called for accelerated investment in irrigation, mechanisation centres and grain-processing facilities, as well as the release of completed community warehouses currently inaccessible to farmers. Such interventions, she said, would support food security, create jobs, reduce imports and strengthen local value chains.

The PSINNO Project was organised by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the German Government, GIZ and other development partners to promote private-sector growth, entrepreneurship and innovation in northern Ghana.

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Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has indicated that his side is preparing for a win against Brazil in their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Atlas Lions will open their World Cup campaign on Saturday, June 13, against the record champions in a fixture that many are looking forward to.

Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated clash, Mohamed Ouahbi described Brazil as a great football country but warned that his side will not go into the game with any fear.

"Brazil is a footballing country. A great nation. We will have to look them in the eye and fear no one. We are going to prepare to win," Ouahbi told beIN Sport.

Morocco impressed the World at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, finishing fourth after setting the record as the first African country to reach the semi-finals.

At this year’s tournament, the Atlas Lions are in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, and will be aiming for another historic run.

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The Villareal and Ghana star has been confronted with legal issues following the accusation of rape by different women during his time in England.

Partey remains one of Ghana's most experienced players and if the Black Stars are to succeed in North America, the former Arsenal star will need to be in his best form.

And according to Ofori, the 32-year-old could end up being the surprise package of the tournament.

“Thomas Partey is going through a difficult time in his personal life, but having been called up to the national team, I believe he will give his best, stand out, and surprise many people at this World Cup. He is experienced, having played for Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid. I believe he will be a surprise,” said Ofori. 

Partey featured 25 times for Vilarreal in La Liga last season as the Yellow Submarines finished third behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.

He is currently in camp with the rest of the players as the Black Stars prepare for the World Cup.

Ghana will open their campaign with a game against Panama in Toronto on June 18 before engaging England and Croatia in the rest of Group L matches.

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FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.

In a statement released on Tuesday, world football's governing body said Artan would be unable to train or officiate at the tournament after US authorities refused him entry.

"FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States," the statement read.

FIFA stressed that it has no role in immigration or visa decisions made by host countries.

"FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present."

The governing body added that entry into a host nation ultimately rests with government authorities.

"In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."

Artan had been selected as one of the 52 referees for the 2026 World Cup and was set to become the first Somali official to referee at football's biggest tournament.

His absence is a significant setback for both Somalia and African refereeing representation at the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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A video showing members of Senegal's national team undergoing security checks upon their arrival in the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has sparked widespread discussion across social media.

The footage, which has circulated widely online, appears to show players being subjected to detailed screening procedures at the airport, prompting criticism from a section of football fans who questioned the necessity of the measures.

Several fans argued that the screening process appeared excessive, especially for a national team travelling to participate in one of the world's biggest sporting events.

As the video gained traction online, thousands of comments emerged debating whether similar procedures are applied to all teams arriving for the tournament.

Among the reactions shared online, one fan wrote, "I hope they control Messi or Ronaldo in the same way too!"

Another supporter questioned the need for the checks, saying, "What a load of nonsense. This search isn’t required, and the FSF shouldn’t accept it. I’ve never seen passengers on a private charter flight get searched like that, and I’ve been working in the sector for 15 years."

A third fan added: "They're taking the piss, I swear. It's borderline shameful."

Le contrôle des américains sur nos joueurs c’est abusé et c’est même un manque de respect pour moi. Plus jamais de compétition dans ce pays de merde. pic.twitter.com/T4f89VYfdl

— Mahdii (@MahdiToure8) June 7, 2026

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Semenyo heads into the tournament as the best Ghanaian player in Europe after winning the domestic double with Man City, and finished the EPL season with 17 goals and four assists.

Despite his blistering form for Bournemouth and City, Semenyo has struggled wearing the Ghana jersey, with only three goals in 34 appearances.

However, Casa Pia's Ofori has strong belief in the City forward.

“I believe Semenyo will be the star of the team. He was recently signed by Manchester City and is a player who is in good form, and his ability will greatly help the team. There are other players as well, but I believe Semenyo will be the standout player,” he said. 

The Black Stars are already in the United States preparing under the tutelage of Portuguese trainer Carlos Queiroz ahead of the start of the tournament.

Queiroz led the team to a 1-1 draw in their pre-World Cup friendly against Wales.

Ofori insists the Portuguese brings a difference to the team's style compared to Otto Addo who was sacked in March.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.

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Alt: Live tennis match tracking and online tournament betting lines

The study of the professional tennis tournaments provides an interesting and engaging way to see how the individual athletes are performing throughout the seasonal tour calendar. In team sports winning and losing happens as a team. In head to head tennis matches it all comes down to the individual player’s consistency, court surfaces and physical stamina over multiple sets. A fan trying to make sense of tournament brackets will find it much easier, through a site such as bizbet giri?, to follow the betting choices of each player’s server hold percentages rather than the basic seedings alone. These particular performance profiles make following a match a very interactive and structured activity for fans following the world circuit.

Live Server Win %’s & Individual Match Dynamics

The most fundamental indicator of match momentum on any surface is the percentage of service holds, or how often a player holds serve. The top players on the mens tour usually win 80% of their service games so one break of serve can win a set.

Live percentages are a great addition to the excitement of watching the match on broadcast, especially for a fan checking out live game stats on a mobile interface while exploring options like bizbet promosyon kodu available on the platform. If a player has a first serve completion rate of more than sixty five percent then there are chances of lesser break points and the service game will be more predictable. On the other hand a second serve percentage just south of 50% could be a tip-off to the casual fan that the other player is perhaps on the verge of breaking serve at some important juncture.

Tennis Performance Index

Tracking a handful of key statistics gives any casual viewer a much clearer window into how a match is unfolding. These core metrics go beyond the scoreboard and reveal the underlying tactical picture, showing which player is dictating play and where the pressure points are most likely to emerge during a competitive set.

Having access to these baseline statistical values enables the average fan to enjoy the deep tactical battles that occur in long baseline rallies.

Court Surface Stats and Facts

A different court composition can alter the bounce or speed of a ball and that can alter the way a player moves around the court and how long the rallies in a tournament last. The ball bounces higher on clay courts, and it slows down. Quick grass-court specialists love the grass. They can play flat and have a lot of ways to get to the net.

• On clay, the friction results in ace frequencies of around five percent per match
• The average points won on a first serve can be as high as almost seventy-five percent on grass courts
• Hard courts present an even bounce profile that challenges physical endurance at the baseline

This knowledge can be used as a simple fact-based way to predict how individual styles will clash on game day through knowing how a certain player performs on these different surfaces.

International Tennis Tournaments and Global Popularity

Those numbers are mirrored in the global audiences that tune in each year to watch the most important championship matches, as tennis continues to grow in popularity with millions of dedicated fans. In the non-stop international tour, the action never stops across different time zones year long to keep fans thoroughly entertained. This huge international audience helps to create a very active sports community around the celebration of the best athletic performances and exciting comebacks of matches.

Keeping Recreational Sports Pastimes Balanced

In the digital age, where the tools of real-time data-tracking make following professional tennis matches a highly visible experience, the utility of consumer protection becomes highly visible. The trick is to make it all fun, to emphasize that predicting the tournament is just a little bit of weekend entertainment.

The user options panel includes basic tools for fans to set limits on screen time, or voluntary limits on how many times an account can be interacted with in a week. These easy to understand boundaries give sports fans a perfectly balanced, healthy and stress free way of following their favourite matches.

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In an exclusive interview on WED, Proforest’s Global and Africa Director, Abraham Baffoe, detailed how climate change is already eroding the foundations of farming communities across Africa and laid out the practical interventions his organisation is deploying to reverse the trend, particularly in Ghana.

He warned that worsening deforestation, severe biodiversity loss and unsustainable land-use practices are no longer isolated environmental threats; they are directly undermining rural incomes, national food security and agricultural supply chains across the African continent.

Mr. Baffoe dismissed the notion that climate change is a distant abstraction, pointing to the shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures now threatening agricultural productivity.

“Last year, it didn’t rain in most parts of Ghana around June and July, when it’s supposed to be raining. We are seeing prolonged dry spells when farmers’ productivity is negatively affected, which affects their income and livelihoods,” he said.

He stressed further that many farmers do not use the term “climate change”, but describe the same erratic weather and declining soil fertility that are already undermining cocoa and other commodity sectors.

To confront this reality, Proforest has embedded itself within production landscapes, working directly with farmers and communities to adopt agroforestry practices that integrate trees into crop systems.

In Ghana, the organisation supports cocoa farmers to increase tree cover on their farms, a move that simultaneously diversifies household income and restores environmental health.

“When you diversify your income, it makes you more resilient because you don’t depend on one source. It also helps to improve the environment and enables farmers to contribute to climate action,” Mr. Baffoe explained.

These interventions are designed to ensure that environmental restoration becomes an engine for economic stability rather than a burden, he emphasised.

Central to Proforest’s strategy is its landscape approach, a model that he described as a flagship worth replicating across the continent.

“Over the past 25 years, the organisation has learned that working with individual companies or single supply chains was insufficient to meet the scale of the environmental crisis. Now, Proforest facilitates collective governance platforms that bring together all actors within a defined geographic area -farmers, private sector buyers, government agencies and community leaders, to jointly diagnose challenges and coordinate interventions.

“You are dealing with all actors in the landscape. Together they agree on interventions needed, and collective action is taken,” he said.

This method, he noted, has yielded greater cohesion and visible success in restoring degraded areas and strengthening agricultural practices.

The interview also tackled the persistent tension between environmental protection and economic development.

Sustainable Growth Modelling

Mr. Baffoe argued that while a focus on the environment may appear to slow growth in the short term, it is indispensable for sustainable prosperity.

“Leaving one and focusing more on the other doesn’t work. Strengthening the environmental aspect while focusing on economic development helps you build a resilient and sustainable economic development model,” he said.

He urged governments and businesses to treat environmental protection not as an opportunity cost but as an advantage, a mindset shift Proforest advocates through policy engagement and technical partnerships with both the private sector and state institutions.

Inadequate Donor Funding

Addressing concerns about the longevity of donor-funded projects, he underscored Proforest’s emphasis on local ownership and self-sufficiency.

The organisation insists on internalising projects with beneficiaries from the start and works to establish diverse, locally generated funding streams rather than depending on a single external donor.

“It’s about how we make decisions and choices. If we believe restoring degraded areas and improving sustainable agriculture practices will drive economic development, then we should, as a nation, make choices that support sustainable land use,” he said.

This philosophy has underpinned a series of interventions where communities gradually assume responsibility for tree planting and landscape management, ensuring results outlast any project cycle.

Touching on the theme for this year’s WED, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” he emphasised that Proforest is leveraging the milestone to champion practical, landscape-level interventions that prove environmental sustainability and economic growth are not mutually exclusive goals, but deeply dependent variables.

Education and Sensitisation

The Proforest Global and Africa Director placed significant weight on education, particularly for the next generation.

He lamented that many young people are abandoning farming for illegal mining and other quick-income activities, failing to see a future on the land.

Proforest works to train farmers and youth to understand the long-term implications of their land-use decisions. “Once that education goes through, the young generation who want a successful life will do the best they can to protect the environment,” he said,

As the world observes World Environment Day, under the global theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” Proforest’s message is simple: climate change respects no borders, and addressing its impacts is a shared responsibility requiring immediate, coordinated action.

“The Day must remind us all that collective action to address the climate crisis is what we all need. It is time to act,” he concluded.

With its landscape-level programmes, agroforestry integration and relentless push for local ownership, Proforest is betting that Ghana and the broader continent can transform environmental vulnerability into a resilient, inclusive economic future.

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The initiative aims to equip especially women engaged in daily cross-border trading with knowledge on approved procedures, legal requirements and opportunities within the sector to improve their businesses and livelihoods.

Ms Mabel Yayra Ayiyor, Co-founder of the Network, told the Ghana News Agency that many traders unknowingly used unapproved routes along the Ghana–Togo border, exposing themselves to the risk of seizure of goods and heavy financial losses.

She explained that traders who failed to comply with Customs procedures could face penalties of up to 300 per cent of the duty, a situation that often forced some to abandon their goods.

Ms Ayiyor said the engagement was designed to encourage traders to use approved border posts, comply with regulations and understand their rights and responsibilities to avoid exploitation.

Officials from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority also participated in the programme, where they educated the traders on the importance of paying duties on imported goods as a means of supporting government revenue mobilisation.

They explained that compliance with Customs procedures not only protected traders from penalties but also gave them the freedom to sell their goods in the open market without fear of seizure or harassment by enforcement officers.

Customs officials further encouraged traders to form or join associations, noting that group trading could enhance coordination, reduce costs through bulk purchasing and improve compliance with regulations.

The programme also featured the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), which sensitised participants on the dangers of dealing in unregulated pharmaceutical products.

Traders were cautioned against buying drugs from unverified sources, especially those transported under unsafe conditions, which could compromise their effectiveness and pose health risks.

The engagement also highlighted concerns about the use of unsuspecting children in transporting contraband goods across borders, with a call on parents to monitor their wards closely.

Ms Ayiyor emphasised that organising traders into structured groups would not only strengthen their bargaining power but also promote discipline and adherence to trade regulations.

She described the programme as impactful, noting that participants showed keen interest and willingness to adopt the knowledge gained.

She said the next engagement, scheduled for August, would be carefully planned to avoid major market days to ensure broader participation.

Ms. Ayiyor added that the Network would continue to collaborate with relevant state agencies, including Customs and Immigration, to sustain education and improve compliance among cross-border traders.

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Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy has expressed confidence in the Pharaohs’ chances of advancing past the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The experienced shot-stopper is confident the record African champions will achieve something special at this year’s tournament.

“We’ve lacked experience. We hadn’t qualified for the World Cup in 28 years, and it was the team’s first time competing at that level, so it was only natural that we lacked experience. But we’ve gained a great deal of experience since that tournament, playing matches against major international teams.

“Today, the picture is much clearer for us, and we can achieve something special at the upcoming World Cup. Of course, we have to define our objectives and ambitions to reach the latter stages of the tournament. Right now, it’s essential that we qualify for the knockout rounds,” El Shenawy told FIFA.

The goalkeeper continued, “Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet and I have played in the World Cup before, and we can pass that experience on to the rest of the squad and help them acclimatise to the tournament environment. We’re preparing to face some very strong sides at the World Cup. And that will work in our favour, because we’ll go into the tournament at peak readiness.”

After competing at the 2018 edition of the World Cup in Russia, Mohamed El Shenawy is set to feature at his second World Cup this year.

Alongside stars like Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet, the goalkeeper will be hoping to help Egypt secure their first win on the world stage.

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Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, has been denied entry to the United States and sent back to Istanbul.

This has dealt a devastating blow to his historic appointment as the first Somali to officiate at football's biggest tournament.

Artan, named the 2025 CAF Men's Referee of the Year, was turned away at Miami International Airport over the weekend. According to reports, Artan held a valid US visa and was travelling on a diplomatic passport obtained with support from the Somali embassy in Nairobi.

No official reason has been issued by US immigration authorities, but Somalia is among several countries on a travel ban list introduced by former President Donald Trump's administration. Trump had previously referred to Somalia as a "rotting country" and sought to end special protections for Somali citizens in the US.

"Omar Artan is among Africa's most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community," Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports, told AFP.

"Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football's commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play," Abshir added.

Artan became a FIFA-listed referee in 2018 and officiated at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria. He was selected as one of 52 referees to officiate at the World Cup, which runs from June 12 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

His denial follows a pattern of travel complications affecting tournament personnel, including Iranian players and officials who faced visa issues and Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein, who was detained for hours at a Chicago airport.

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The FIFA World Cup has produced countless unforgettable moments, but few are as dramatic as teams fighting back from seemingly impossible situations to secure victory.

Throughout the tournament's history, several nations have carved out a reputation for resilience, overturning deficits and producing some of the most remarkable comebacks ever witnessed on football's biggest stage.

Austria and Portugal jointly hold the record for the largest comeback victory in World Cup history after both teams recovered from three-goal deficits to win.

Austria achieved the feat during the 1954 quarter finals against Switzerland in one of the most extraordinary matches ever played. Switzerland raced into a 3-0 lead within the opening 20 minutes, but Austria mounted an incredible recovery to claim a 7-5 victory.

The contest became known as the "Heat Battle of Lausanne" and remains the highest-scoring match in World Cup history.

Twelve years later, Portugal produced a similarly stunning turnaround in the quarter finals of the 1966 tournament. North Korea stunned the football world by taking a 3-0 lead, but legendary forward Eusebio inspired Portugal's comeback as they stormed back to win 5-3.

Several other iconic World Cup matches have featured teams overturning two-goal deficits to secure memorable victories.

One of the most famous occurred in the 1954 final when West Germany recovered from two goals down to defeat Hungary and claim their first World Cup title in what became known as the "Miracle of Bern."

West Germany also demonstrated their fighting spirit during the 1970 quarter finals when they came from behind to defeat England in another classic encounter.

More recently, Belgium produced one of the greatest modern World Cup comebacks at the 2018 tournament in Russia. Trailing Japan 2-0 in the Round of 16, the Red Devils responded with three unanswered goals, including a dramatic winner in stoppage time, to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory.

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