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Bruno Fernandes “seeks assurances” of Manchester United’s aspirations before to the summer transfer window.

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Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, is looking for clarity on the club’s future this summer. Fernandes is apparently waiting for guarantees that the team can meet his personal aspirations of winning the highest prizes in the game, while the Red Devils are adamant about keeping their lucky charm at Old Trafford.

Old Trafford officials have made it clear to Fernaandes that he is a vital part of their plans. Despite turning 32 in September, Fernandes remains the team’s most influential figure and a frontrunner for the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards. However, the power is not entirely in United’s hands. Fernandes has a €65m (£56.3m) release clause in his contract that is thought to be active until the first half of July. While his deal runs until 2027 with an option for a further year, his desire for top-level success remains the primary factor in his decision-making.

According to The Telegraph, Fernandes has made clear his desire to win the Premier League and Champions League and sources close to the player believe he wants reassurances about United’s ambitions. Having spent six years at the club without a serious title tilt, the midfielder is wary of spending his final peak years in a side that is merely battling for a top-four finish. He has previously sought similar assurances before signing extensions in 2022 and 2024, only to be met with underwhelming recruitment drives.

United revamped their attack last summer and the focus in this window is on overhauling central midfield and building stronger foundations that they hope will help inspire Fernandes to even greater heights. With Casemiro expected to depart and uncertainty surrounding the permanent future of Manuel Ugarte, the club could be in the market for as many as three new midfielders to provide the defensive solidity Fernandes craves. Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni are top of the shortlist for the No.6 position, while Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is also among a number of other midfielders of interest.

Asiedu Nketiah commends NDC grassroots’ efforts in 2024 electoral victory

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Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has commended grassroots members of the party for their crucial role in securing victory in the 2024 general elections.

He said the dedication and sacrifices of party supporters across the country were instrumental in what he described as an unprecedented electoral win that helped in “saving Ghana from tyranny”.

According to him, the efforts of volunteers, polling agents, financiers, and campaign teams went beyond politics and contributed to restoring hope in the country.

“You stood up to ensure that this country is put back on the right path,” he said.

“What should give you satisfaction is that your work has helped to save Ghana from the tyranny of the previous government,” he added, referencing the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He recounted how party members traversed communities, canvassing for votes, mounting posters, and mobilising support at the grassroots level, often under challenging conditions.

Mr Asiedu Nketia emphasised that while not every contributor could be individually recognised or rewarded immediately, their role in what he described as a historic political transition would remain significant.

“I was around during the campaign and saw how many of you struggled, moving from village to village, house to house, to canvass for votes. Though we cannot identify each individual, your efforts have not gone unnoticed,” he noted.

He likened their contributions to sowing seeds whose benefits may be realised over time, urging members to remain patient and committed to the party’s long-term vision.

The NDC Chairman also pointed to unity within the party as a key factor that strengthened its campaign and ultimately led to victory, commending members who set aside internal differences in the interest of the broader goal.

“A house divided cannot stand. The unity you demonstrated helped us win this election,” he said, urging members to sustain and deepen that unity moving forward.

Mr Asiedu Nketia reiterated that the purpose of the tour was not only to express appreciation but also to engage supporters and gather feedback to guide governance under the new administration.

He assured party members that their voices would continue to shape decisions as the government works to deliver on its mandate.

The NDC Chairman encouraged supporters to remain active and vigilant, stressing that their continued involvement would be essential in sustaining progress and safeguarding the gains achieved through the 2024 elections.

Mr John Nabwonya Millim, the Talensi District Chief Executive, who accounted to the people, highlighted some key development projects being undertaken, including the construction of health facilities, educational facilities, and roads across the district.

Tong-Rana Kubilsong Nalebegtang, Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, commended the government for ongoing development initiatives and urged it to ensure that the area, which he described as the gateway to the Upper East Region, received its fair share of the national resources.

U.S. Embassy to deepen World Cup experience across Ghana with “16 by 16” initiative

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The United States Embassy in Ghana has announced a nationwide fan engagement drive dubbed: “16 by 16” initiative, aimed at bringing the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to all regions of the country.

Mr. Matthew Asada, Acting Public Affairs Officer at the Embassy, said the initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority, would see organised watch parties and related activities held across the 16 regions to expand access to the global tournament.

He was speaking at an engagement with sports journalists in Kumasi focused on media coverage strategies for the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Mr Asada noted that, the Embassy, through its American Spaces, would actively participate in the initiative by supporting watch parties nationwide, particularly during matches involving the United States and Ghana.

He described the programme as an opportunity to connect fans across the country to the tournament, while promoting shared cultural experiences between Ghana and the United States, one of the host nations for the expanded 48-team competition.

“The 16 by 16 initiative is about ensuring that the World Cup experience is not limited to those who can travel, but is shared with communities across Ghana,” he said.

Mr. Asada said the Embassy was working with partners, including representatives of the initiative, to broaden public engagement and enhance the viewing experience through organised events and outreach activities.

He added that the Embassy had also taken steps to facilitate travel for Ghanaian fans who wished to attend matches in the United States, noting that, additional visa officers had been deployed to Accra to reduce waiting times for B1/B2 visitor visa appointments.

According to him, visa appointment waiting times had reduced significantly from 15 months in 2024 to less than one month in 2026, with some applicants able to secure interview dates within weeks.

Mr Asada highlighted ongoing capacity-building programmes for Ghanaian media practitioners, including training sessions organised by the Embassy to promote ethical reporting and accuracy in coverage of the national team.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and more than 100 matches across multiple cities.

Bonto-Osei seeks second term as Buem NPP Secretary

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Mr Aikins Bonto-Osei, the incumbent Buem Constituency Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has officially declared his intention to seek re-election for a second term.

He said his track record and growing support within the party would ensure that he got the nod to be secretary again.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kadjebi in the Oti Region, Mr Bonto-Osei said his decision was informed by what he described as a successful first term and persistent calls from party members to continue his work.

He noted that his experience in office had positioned him ahead of any potential contenders, emphasising that continuity in leadership would be vital for strengthening the party’s structures in the constituency.

According to him, the Buem Constituency required a committed and experienced administrator capable of mobilising grassroots support and increasing the party’s electoral fortunes ahead of the 2028 general elections, which he described as crucial.

Mr Bonto-Osei appealed to delegates to give him another mandate to consolidate the gains made during his tenure and to implement new strategies aimed at enhancing party unity and performance.

Meanwhile, Mr William Kwasi Agyei, also known as Paa Willie, a contender whose posters have reportedly been displayed across parts of the constituency, has denied contesting the position when contacted by the GNA.

Party observers say the development sets the stage for what could be a closely watched internal process as the NPP prepares to reorganise its constituency leadership towards future electoral contests.

In 2025, around 8,000 migrants died or went missing.

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According to the UN, about 8,000 individuals perished or vanished on migration routes in 2025, serving as a sobering reminder that the trek in pursuit of opportunity or safety is still lethal for many.

The actual situation can be much worse, even though the number represents a minor decline from the previous year’s record. The true toll is probably higher and, in many cases, unknown because hundreds of cases were never confirmed.

Not only is the magnitude of the loss noteworthy, but so is the manner in which it occurs. Entire boats disappearing without a trace are referred to as “invisible shipwrecks.”

Although sea routes to Europe continue to be the riskiest, the data reveals a deeper trend: migration is changing rather than slowing.

As policies tighten and conflicts persist, people are being pushed onto longer, riskier paths from West Africa’s Atlantic crossing to routes across Asia.

Over the past decade, more than 82,000 people have died along these journeys.

Paul Pogba says Bruno Fernandes would be in contention for the Ballon d’Or if he played for Manchester City rather than Manchester United.

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Paul Pogba has sparked a new argument over Manchester United’s place in world football by claiming Bruno Fernandes is hampered by life at Old Trafford. The former Red Devils midfielder feels the Portuguese playmaker would be in the running for the Ballon d’Or if he played for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Despite being United’s most consistent performance since his arrival in 2020, Fernandes has never made it to the final podium for football’s individual title. Pogba, who played 79 games with the midfielder at Manchester United, believes the environment at Old Trafford is the only thing holding his former teammate back. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the current AS Monaco player questioned whether Fernandes could create more than he already does. He stated that if the Portuguese international had been a part of Guardiola’s winning machine in the city, the story around the 29-year-old would be very different in terms of global exposure.

Pogba was blunt in his assessment of why individual accolades often follow team success. He said: “Can Bruno Fernandes do more than he does now at United? Do you think if Bruno is in another team, he’s not in the top three [for the Ballon d’Or] player? For me, you put him at City, he’s in the [final] three for the Ballon d’Or. Bruno Fernandes, with the stats, the season, the way he plays and everything…”

The Frenchman’s comments highlight a harsh reality in modern football where the Golden Ball is almost exclusively reserved for players who dominate Europe’s elite competitions. “But when you don’t win, we don’t even think about it. It’s like that. This is life. This is football,” Pogba added.

Fernandes has registered 211 goal involvements in just 322 appearances across all competitions for United, yet his trophy cabinet only contains an FA Cup and a Carabao Cup. Pogba suggests that Fernandes should be held in the same breath as legendary figures like Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric, and Mesut Ozil.

“We talk about Kevin De Bruyne. We talk about Luka Modric, talk about Mesut Ozil,” Pogba continued. “Talk about stats, stats. He scored more than Frank Lampard in the season, as the same position, eight, 10, you know. He does more assists. He’s everywhere on the pitch. He has a volume. He keeps running. He’s smart. He can play two touches, one touch. He can shoot.”

Manchester United are planning a move for Real Madrid’s star player to fill a priority position.

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Manchester United are allegedly poised to renew their interest in a Real Madrid powerhouse as they seek to address their long-standing midfield woes. The Red Devils have prioritised the engine room for the forthcoming window, with an elite enforcer emerging as a top goal for the Old Trafford administration.

Manchester United has firmly moved their focus to the middle of the pitch after previously focusing primarily on their offensive department and goalkeeping situation. The club is conducting a thorough search for talent to revitalise a midfield that has frequently battled for consistency, despite the emergence of youthful talents such as Kobbie Mainoo.

Among the names apparently being tracked are Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. With Casemiro going at the conclusion of the season, finding a new specialist No.6 has become a primary priority for United’s management.

United are also looking further afield. According to BBC, Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni has emerged as a prominent name on a shortlist of international targets the club is monitoring to address their primary area of concern this summer.

The pursuit of Tchouameni is not a new development for those in the corridors of power at Carrington. United were credited with a serious interest in the 26-year-old when he left Monaco in 2022, but the midfielder ultimately chose the bright lights of the Bernabeu. Since then, he has developed into one of the most effective defensive midfielders in world football, making 191 appearances and chipping in with seven goals for the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid are keen on extending Tchouameni’s current deal, which is set to run until 2028. However, following a campaign that looks set to end without major silverware, there is a feeling that a summer of significant change is coming to the Bernabeu. Should United arrive with a sizeable offer, Madrid may be tempted to sanction a sale to fund their own rebuilding plans under Florentino Perez.

The timing of these transfer links comes as Michael Carrick continue to guide United toward a successful finish to the season. Following a crucial 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, United are on the verge of securing a return to the Champions League. This qualification is seen as vital for the club’s pulling power in the transfer market, especially when trying to lure players from clubs of Madrid’s stature.

Death sentences increase in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the moratorium is lifted, result warns.

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The number of death sentences issued in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has soared since the government overturned a de facto moratorium on executions in 2024, a campaign organization said on Tuesday.

According to a report released by the French NGO Together Against the Death Penalty and various Congolese organisations, courts sentenced over 480 people to death in 2024 and 344 in 2025, up from 122 in 2023.

No executions confirmed, but climate of fear

To date, no execution has been officially confirmed. However, the report warns that the multiplication of death sentences is creating an “unprecedented climate of fear” in a country already plagued by decades of conflict.

An investigative mission visited around 20 prisons and identified at least 950 people on death row – nearly double the 500 recorded in 2019.

Overcrowded jails and summary trials

The report describes overcrowded, dilapidated prison facilities where detainees live in “extreme health and food insecurity,” sometimes without even knowing they have been sentenced to death.

Death sentences “are often handed down at the end of summary trials,” the authors wrote.

Effective legal assistance is frequently lacking, and the right to a fair trial is not always guaranteed.

In Congo’s opaque and influence-prone judicial system, avenues of appeal remain inaccessible to those without a lawyer, money or connections.

One third of those interviewed had been convicted for “criminal conspiracy” — a vague and expandable offense, according to the report.

GNCCI launches Ghanafest Europe 2026 to expand export market

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The second edition of GhanaFest Europe 2026 Trade and Cultural Expo has been launched in Accra to promote non-traditional exports, tourism, and investment partnerships between Ghana and the Netherlands.

The three-day event, scheduled for September 10 to 12, 2026, will take place at the World Trade Centre in Amsterdam under the theme: “Value Addition and Sustainable Partnerships: Shaping the Future of Ghana-Netherlands Trade.”

The Expo is being organised by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) in partnership with RAM Media Concepts.

Mr. Frederick Adu Amoakoh, Operations Manager of GNCCI, stated that the event would serve as a strategic platform to promote Ghana’s non-traditional exports to the European market, with the Netherlands as a key gateway.

He noted that the Expo would provide an opportunity for Ghanaian businesses to showcase products such as textiles, garments, and artefacts to the diaspora and international buyers while facilitating direct trade engagements.

“Participation will be limited to credible and export-ready businesses capable of meeting international standards and fulfilling orders from global markets,” he said.

Mr. Amoakoh also explained that the initiative was part of efforts to expand Ghana’s export base beyond traditional commodities, positioning locally manufactured goods competitively on the global stage.

He expressed confidence that the 2026 edition would build on the success of the inaugural event, delivering tangible results in terms of business partnerships, export growth, and job creation.

Mr. Amoakoh called on stakeholders, including businesses, investors, and policymakers, to take advantage of the platform to forge sustainable partnerships and drive Ghana’s economic transformation.

Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, described the Expo as a convergence of trade, tourism, culture, and investment, highlighting Ghana as one of Africa’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.

He pointed out that policy interventions and flagship initiatives were enhancing visitor experiences, contributing to global recognition and export growth.

“Tourism plays a vital role in promoting non-traditional exports, as visitors experience Ghanaian products and culture, creating pathways for international demand,” he said.

Mr. Aggrey said that the decision to host the event in the Netherlands was strategic due to its role as a key gateway to the European Union market and its strong Ghanaian diaspora presence.

He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting GhanaFest Europe, adding that the event aligned with efforts to position Ghana as a top destination for tourism, trade, and investment.

Mr. Aggrey noted that the Expo would strengthen cultural diplomacy by showcasing Ghana’s heritage, creative arts, and hospitality to a global audience.

Mr. Charles Opoku Mensah, a representative from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), emphasised that the Expo was a strategic bridge linking Ghanaian businesses to international markets and investors, particularly in value addition, agribusiness, manufacturing, and the creative economy.

He highlighted Ghana’s stable economic environment, strategic location, and investment-friendly policies as key factors that make the country an attractive destination for global investors.

Mr. Mensah explained that GIPC’s role extended beyond promotion, as it actively supported investors through aftercare services and mechanisms designed to address operational challenges and ensure a conducive business environment.

He urged Ghanaian businesses to present investment-ready projects at the Expo and encouraged international partners to take advantage of Ghana’s growing opportunities.

Gov’t can’t continue weaponizing institutions-MP fumes   

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Mr Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the Second Deputy Minority Whip and Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, on Wednesday expressed abhorrence about what he described as the ‘weaponization’ of institutions by the government.
“It’s actually regressive and so alarming that almost every institution is being weaponized by the government of the day; what is happening to us. So can’t we do our multi-party democracy again?” he questioned.
Mr Shaib expressed the concern when he spoke to the media after he joined hundreds of aggrieved supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in a street protest in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital on Wednesday.
Dubbed “Yensuro Ahunahuna Demo”, the protesters, wearing branded black or red ‘T’ shirts, held placards with inscriptions like “No freedom of speech”, “Pay workers their salaries”, “Aboboyaa Aban” and “No freedom no peace”, and paraded through the principal streets of Sunyani, amid heavy police presence.
The street protest was to register the displeasure of the NPP on what the party described as “the government-sponsored attack on free speech and our democracy”.
It followed the arrest and detention of Mr Abubakar Yakubu, popularly known as ‘Baba Amando’ and Mr Kwame Baffoe also known as “Abronye”, the Sunyani East Constituency Officer and the Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP respectively.
Mr Shaib said: “If you phone in to an FM or TV station, the next thing is that they just track and arrest you and they started those arrests long ago.

“A Muslim and his calibre, people even have the effrontery to use the social media to portray that the former Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia chews pork and takes alcohol. 

“Even what didn’t they say about the former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo”, the MP stressed. Mr Shaib noted that the government had already failed Ghanaians, unable to fulfil the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Election 2024 campaign promises.
“And just the fact that you promise the people to sign on to the NPP’s development ticket and if you can’t do that, then you have to be quiet.
“You can’t just go round, arrest and detain people basically because they have made some colours on their Facebook page,” he stated.
In a related interview, Mr Yakubu regretted that over the past six months, the government had been using state machinery to intimidate the youth of the country, describing President John Dramani Mahama as one of the greatest beneficiaries of free speech.
He emphasised that the good people of the nation expected the President to fulfil his Election 2024 campaign promise of enhancing the welfare of cocoa farmers and building a resilient economy to create a better society for all.
Mr Yakubu expressed concern about rising youth unemployment, worrying that People with Disabilities (PwDs) could not get decent jobs.
Mr Yakubu reaffirmed his dedication to uphold and defend free speech and to serve a voice for the vulnerable in society.

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