Manchester United sacks Ole after Watford defeat

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Manchester United sacks Ole after Watford defeat

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been sacked as Manchester United manager after an “embarrassing” 4-1 defeat at Watford.

United have confirmed Solskjaer’s assistant Michael Carrick will be placed in temporary charge, with the club looking to appoint an interim manager until the end of the season.

Solskjaer signed a new three-year deal in July but leaves after overseeing five defeats in their last seven Premier League matches – a run which sees them 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

What went wrong for Solskjaer?

The Old Trafford hierarchy had ignored increasingly vociferous calls to relieve Solskjaer of his duties in the wake of a humiliating 5-0 loss to rivals Liverpool and a 2-0 derby defeat to Manchester City in early November.

But his position was discussed by United officials on Saturday evening following the crushing defeat at Vicarage Road, before the announcement of his dismissal followed on Sunday morning.

A club statement said: “Manchester United announces that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left his role as manager.

“Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United and it is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision. While the past few weeks have been disappointing, they should not obscure all the work he has done over the past three years to rebuild the foundations for long-term success.

“Ole leaves with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts as manager and our very best wishes for the future. His place in the club’s history will always be secure, not just for his story as a player, but as a great man and a manager who gave us many great moments. He will forever be welcome back at Old Trafford as part of the Manchester United family.”


Solskjaer was booed by a number of the United fans in the away end at full time at Watford, although midfielder Bruno Fernandes appeared to try to redirect their frustration towards the players.

Goalkeeper David de Gea labelled the defeat “embarrassing” and “unacceptable”.
After the game, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher described Solskjaer’s position as “untenable” but described the performance of the club’s players as “scandalous”.

Solskjaer revealed he was ‘very low’ after the defeat to Watford

Ole’s journey ‘at the wheel’ ends without a trophy

Former United striker Solskjaer returned to the club initially as caretaker manager after the dismissal of Jose Mourinho in December 2018 and immediately produced an upturn in United’s form – including the 3-1 win at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.


‘Ole’s at the wheel’ became a trending topic as Solskjaer was appointed on a permanent basis in March 2019.


He was unable to lead United into the top four of the Premier League that season but did achieve third and second-place finishes in his two full seasons in charge.


However, Solskjaer failed to deliver silverware during his tenure, with the defeat on penalties to Villarreal in last season’s Europa League final being their best effort.

How did Solskjaer compare?

The Norwegian departs Manchester United with an inferior win percentage to that of Jose Mourinho, the man he replaced. Here, we take a look at the numbers…

Saturday’s defeat to Watford was Solskjaer’s 168th game in charge of the club. In total, he won 91 of them, drawing 37 and losing 40.


Of Manchester United’s four permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from the club, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho as well as Solskjaer, the Norwegian’s overall win rate of 54 per cent puts him second.

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Mourinho’s win rate is the highest of the four at 58 per cent, while Moyes and Van Gaal trail on 53 per cent and 52 per cent respectively.
Overall, Solskjaer’s record against the traditional big-six – Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham – was mixed, with 14 wins, 10 draws and 12 losses.

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Indeed, a big-six mini-league of head-to-head meetings since Solskjaer’s appointment puts Manchester United 18 points behind City and 23 behind Liverpool.


That, of course, is despite heavy investment in the squad. This summer, Manchester United brought in Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane at considerable expense.

Their latest round of spending pushed their net spend under Solskjaer to £312m – £33m more than any other Premier League side and £196m more than City and Liverpool’s combined.

Manchester United have long been lavish spenders in the transfer market but they have now invested more under Solskjaer (£441m) than they did under Mourinho (£430.8m) or Van Gaal (£309.2m).

Manchester United will now pin their hopes on a new manager to restore their former glories.

Man Utd’s upcoming fixtures

November 23: Villarreal (a) – Champions League, kick-off 5.45pm
November 28: Chelsea (a) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
December 2: Arsenal (h) – Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm
December 5: Crystal Palace (h) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm
December 8: Young Boys (h) – Champions League, kick-off 8pm

Source: SkySports

Security capo Kojo Tsikata dead

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Security capo Kojo Tsikata dead

Revered Security Chief, Capt. Kojo Tsikata has passed on according to multiple sources .

Tsikata, affectionately called “Gbagblaja” by his admirers, died on Friday night according to sources.

Kojo Tsikata was the former Head of National Security and Foreign Affairs of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

He is listed as a retired army captain in the Ghana Army.

More soon

Road toll: Roads Minister breached no law – John Kumah

Daniel Opare
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Road toll: Roads Minister breached no law – John Kumah


Deputy Finance Minister, John Ampontuah Kumah, has defended the decision by the Minister of Road and Highways to suspend road toll collection in the country, saying he breached no law.

 
According to him, Road toll collection was delaying productivity and the Minister per Article 297 clause (d) of the Tolls Act 1973, took an administrative decision to “suspend” the collection, but not “cancel”.

He, therefore, assured the affected workers at the toll that, they will be resigned to other duties. 


The Ministry of Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Atiwa West, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, few minutes after the 2021 budget presentation, directed the cessation of the collection of road and bridge tolls at all locations nationwide, effective from 12am on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

Read Also: Suspension of benchmark values step in right direction-Tobinco Boss


Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, directed the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, to with immediate effect, withdraw his statement announcing the cessation of road tolls, saying he doesn’t have the legal mandate to implement a policy proposal when it has not been approved and passed by Parliament.


Hours after the Speaker’s directive, the Ministry of Roads and Highways said in a press release that, its directive on the cessation of the collection of tolls on public roads and bridges was intended to save lives and property and not to suspend the law.


Meanwhile, the deputy minister for Finance, John Ampontuah Kumah, says the Minister’s directive was not to “cancel” the road toll collection in the country but to “suspend”, therefore “he breached no Law”. 


Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Ebenezer Kewaw Madugu |  [email protected]

Benchmark Values: Gov’t urged to create balance between manufacturing and import

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Benchmark Values: Gov’t urged to create balance between manufacturing and import

A Frieght Forwarder, Mr Jacob Agyemang has urged government to create a balance between manufacturing and imports, in its quest to suspend the Benchmark values on selected goods and service.

He was of the belief that the country cannot survive without both, hence the call.

The Government suspended 50% benchmark values on selected general goods and the 30% on vehicles to make the measure more efficient and targeted.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who announced this when he presented the 2022 budget to Parliament, said the move was consistent with the government policy to promote local industry and improve foreign exchange earnings.

He said the Government was committed to a programme of turning enterprising traders into manufacturers of widgets, tools and other machinery necessary as inputs for industrial growth.

This was after the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in a letter forwarded to the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, signed by the Commissioner General, Rev. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, revealed that the move is informed by an agreement reached with the business community to generate more revenue.

While the AGI pushed for the suspension of the Benchmark values, GUTA was also not in support of it because they said it will affect their businesses and inflate prices of imported goods.

Speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Mr Jacob Agyemang said the suspension of the Benchmark Values on vehicles and goods and services will not help the country as prices of goods will go up.

Related Story: Suspension of benchmark values step in right direction-Tobinco Boss

Noting the conflict between import and manufacturing as far as the Benchmark Values is concerned, he urged government to create a balance, saying it is not importation of goods that has raised the prices of goods, rather the cost of production in the country.

He noted the high cost of electricity, interest rates on loans and payment terms are some of the challenges affecting production in Ghana, calling on the AGI to take note and present that to government.

He said, “Government must create a balance between the two because a country without traders cannot survive, equally, a country without manufacturers can also not survive.”

Meanwhile, Mr Agyemang was of the belief that the suspension of the Benchmark Values can be amended before the budget is approved.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Freight Forwarders cry over benchmark values

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Freight Forwarders cry over benchmark values

Some Freight Forwarders in the country have raised concerns over the suspension of Benchmark Values on general goods and vehicles .

Just like other traders who will be affected, the Frieght Forwarders are also crying that prices of general goods and vehicles will go up and may affect the ordinary Ghanaian.

The Government suspended 50% benchmark values on selected general goods and the 30% on vehicles to make the measure more efficient and targeted.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who announced this when he presented the 2022 budget to Parliament, said the move was consistent with the government policy to promote local industry and improve foreign exchange earnings.

He said the Government was committed to a programme of turning enterprising traders into manufacturers of widgets, tools and other machinery necessary as inputs for industrial growth.

While the AGI pushed for the suspension of the Benchmark values, GUTA was also not in support of it because they said it will affect their businesses and inflate prices of imported goods.

Read Also: Suspension of benchmark values step in right direction-Tobinco Boss

Speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, a Freight Forwarder, Mr Jacob Agyemang said not only importers benefited from the Benchmark Values, adding that government also benefited.

He explained that the Benchmark Values helped reduce smuggling of goods and vehicles.

With the Benchmark Values, he said there were lots of compliances by the importers, saying its suspension might compel some importers to go back to their old ways.

Although not happy about the suspension of benchmark values, he advised the AGI and GUTA not to be enemies over the issue, noting that both had different views on the matter.

Mr Agyemang also urged government to create a balance between manufacturing and importation, saying a country without traders cannot survive and also, a country without manufacturers can also not survive.

Meanwhile, he was of the belief that there can be an amendment to the suspension of the benchmark values before it is passed, expressing hope that it is amended before the budget is approved.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Apple announces self-service repair scheme in win for campaigners

Daniel Opare
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Apple announces self-service repair scheme in win for campaigners

Apple has announced a “self-service repair” programme so “customers who are comfortable” can fix their own devices.

At launch, in early 2022 in the US, the self-service will cover replacing the batteries, screens and cameras of recent iPhones.

But Apple’s new repair store will sell more than 200 parts and tools.

The self-service comes after months of increasing pressure on Apple from the grassroots right-to-repair movement, which wants individuals and independent repair shops to be able to fix electronics.

“Self Service Repair is intended for individual technicians with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices,” Apple said.

But “for the vast majority of customers” visiting a certified professional repair shop would be a better option.

“Creating greater access to Apple genuine parts gives our customers even more choice if a repair is needed,” Apple chief operating officer Jeff Williams said.

“By designing products for durability, longevity, and increased repairability, customers enjoy a long-lasting product that holds its value for years,” the company said.

Apple has often been held up as one of the fiercest opponents of the right to repair, claiming safety issues.

Independent repair-instructions website iFixit, which recently took Apple to task for making it much harder to repair iPhone screens, tweeted: “We never thought we’d see the day.”

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

“Apple has long claimed that letting consumers fix their own stuff would be dangerous,” iFixit said in a statement to media.

“Now, with renewed governmental interest in repair markets – and soon after notably bad press… Apple has found unexpected interest in letting people fix the things they own.”

Read Also: PWDs to meet gov’t over cessation of road toll

And Canadian computer hardware reviewers Hardware Canucks wrote: “It may be a small step overall – but for Apple to do it, this is a massive win for the right-to-repair movement.”

Apple said the Self Service Repair programme would allow individual customers to “join more than 5,000 Apple authorised service providers and 2,800 independent repair providers who have access to these parts, tools, and manuals”.

It had been expanding its authorised repair network, so access to official parts “has nearly doubled” in the past three years, it said.

But Apple’s authorised repair schemes have long been criticised for having extensive terms and restrictions such as where the replacement parts come from – making it unlikely a random component from a broken phone could easily be harvested and “transplanted” for repair.

And the company maintains tight controls on the pricing of those components.

The right-to-repair movement has attracted much attention in recent years, with several US states considering “fair repair” legislation.

And earlier this year, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak – who built the first Apple computers in a garage with Steve Jobs in the 1970s – came out in favour of the movement.

“We wouldn’t have had an Apple had I not grown up in a very open technology world,” he said, in July.

BBC

Austria to go into full lockdown as Covid surges

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Austria to go into full lockdown as Covid surges

Days after Austria imposed a lockdown on the unvaccinated, it has announced a full national Covid-19 lockdown starting on Monday.

Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said it would last a maximum of 20 days and there would be a legal requirement to get vaccinated from 1 February 2022.

He was responding to record case numbers and one of the lowest vaccination levels in Western Europe.

Many other European countries are imposing restrictions as cases rise.

“We don’t want a fifth wave,” said Mr Schallenberg after meeting the governors of Austria’s nine provinces at a resort in the west of the country.

For a long time, there had been a consensus over avoiding mandatory vaccinations, the chancellor said.

However, too many people had been incited not to get the jab, because of “too many political forces, flimsy vaccination opponents and fake news”, he added. The measures are yet to be finalised.

Latest figures show an incidence rate of 990.7 cases per 100,000 people in the past week, and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein said imposing a lockdown was a “last resort”. A record 15,809 cases were reported in the past 24 hours, in a population of under nine million.

Under the measures, Austrians will be asked to work from home, non-essential shops will close, and schools will remain open for children who require face-to-face learning. They will continue until 12 December, but will be reassessed after 10 days.

Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger has already announced that what he called a lockdown for the unvaccinated would start on Monday, and the Czech government is also limiting access to a variety of services. The Netherlands introduced a partial lockdown last weekend.

German leaders have agreed to introduce restrictions for unvaccinated people in areas with high Covid hospital admissions that would affect 12 of Germany’s 16 states.

On Friday, the upper house of Germany’s parliament approved requirements for people to show proof of vaccination, negative tests or recovery on buses, trains and workplaces.

Read Also: GFA launches women’s Super Cup, U-17 Champions League

Austria’s is the first full lockdown imposed by an EU country this winter.

The Europe regional director of the World Health Organization, Hans Kluge, has warned of a hard winter ahead. He blamed insufficient vaccination coverage along with “the easing of preventive measures and the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant”.

Russia on Friday declared a record number of 1,254 Covid deaths in the past 24 hours, for the third day in a row.

Hungary reported its highest level of infections – with 11,289 new cases in a population of 10 million. A third booster jab will be made mandatory for health workers from Saturday, along with masks in most enclosed paces.

Tighter restrictions also come into force in Belgium on Saturday, requiring working from home for four days a week.

BBC

PWDs to meet gov’t over cessation of road toll

Daniel Opare
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PWDs to meet gov’t over cessation of road toll

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other disability organizations say they were not consulted before the cessation of the collection of road tolls.

The leadership of the National Council for PWDs will meet with the Transport Ministry and the Ghana Highway Authority over members of the association who have been rendered unemployed as a result of the abolishing of the road tolls.

Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, announced that government had abolished all road tolls.

Presenting the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday 17th November 2021, Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta mentioned that a new levy will be imposed to make the toll paying more universal.

He mentioned that over the years, the tolling points have become unhealthy market centres, led to heavy traffic on our roads. He added that the toll booths have also lengthened travel time from one place to another, and impacted negatively on productivity.

“Over the years, the tolling points have become unhealthy market centres, led to heavy traffic on our roads, lengthened travel time from one place to another, and impacted negatively on productivity. Government has abolished all tolls on public roads and bridges. This takes effect immediately the Budget is approved. The toll collection personnel will be reassigned,” Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta told Parliament.

Although Ken Ofori Atta announced that the directive was to take effect as soon as the budget is approved, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako Atta directed that collection of the tolls to stop by 12AM Thursday November 18, 2021.

Reacting to the development, Chairman of the National Council for Persons (PWDs) with Disabilities, Yaw Ofori Debrah, noted that a number of PWDs are involved and that the immediate implementation of the directive was not the best.

Read Also: Suspension of benchmark values step in right direction-Tobinco Boss

According to Yaw Ofori Debrah, he thought the directive was going to take effect after Parliamentary approval and that the council will quickly start engagement with the government.

“We thought it was going to take effect after Parliamentary approval. The issue is how are we going to get our people reassigned as stated in the budget is a million dollar question for us. We, the council and other disability organizations will quickly start engagement with the government and we don’t even know where to start from whether the Ministry or the Roads and Highways,” Yaw Ofori Debrah added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

Suspension of benchmark values step in right direction-Tobinco Boss

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Suspension of benchmark values step in right direction-Tobinco Boss

The Executive Chairman of the Tobinco Group of Companies, Elder Nana Amo Tobbin I says the suspension of the Benchmark Values on vehicles and general goods is a step in the right direction.

According to him, although the prices of vehicles and general goods will increase in the interim, it will be stabilised within a short time, adding that Ghanaians will enjoy a lot of benefits in the end.

The Government suspended 50% benchmark values on selected general goods and the 30% on vehicles to make the measure more efficient and targeted.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who announced this when he presented the 2022 Budget to Parliament, said the move was consistent with the government policy to promote local industry and improve foreign exchange earnings.

He said the Government was committed to a programme of turning enterprising traders into manufacturers of widgets, tools and other machinery necessary as inputs for industrial growth.

While the AGI pushed for the suspension of the Benchmark values, GUTA was also not in support of it because they said it will affect their businesses and inflate prices of imported goods.

Speaking with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie, Elder Nana Amo Tobbin I said the move will compel importers to either open factories and manufacture products here in Ghana or cut their profit margins, adding that Ghana will gain either ways.

Read Also: Tobinco calls for massive State support for indigenous businesses

That, he explained will create more jobs for the youth in the country.

The move, Nana Amo Tobbin I said will also help boost local industries to produce more, saying that to much importation has killed many local industries because people mostly patronise the imported goods more than the locally manufactured ones.

“It is true we do not produce everything here in Ghana. When you come to the pharmaceutical industry which I’m part of , you realize that no company in Ghana manufactures injectable and suppositories and so if you increase the price, it will be expensive for the end users. If the prices go up, what will happen is that the local companies will be forced to go and purchase machines to manufacture it here when they know it will be cheaper producing it here,” he said.

“On the other hand, for those who import all these products, as the prices go up, what will help them in the near future is that they will bring the factory to this country and manufacture it here. They will know that when they manufacture it here, it will cheaper and so there will be a lot of industries, a lot of manufacturers will come in because of this and that will really help the country. From the beginning, the prices of some of these imported products will go up but let’s give ourselves about a year, it will also help the youth get jobs,” he added.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

GFA launches women’s Super Cup, U-17 Champions League

Daniel Opare
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GFA launches women’s Super Cup, U-17 Champions League

The Ghana Football Association has launched the maiden Women’s Premier League Super Cup and the KGL U-17 Juvenile Clubs Champions League in Accra.

The Super Cup seeks to put Women’s football on a higher pedestal as well, make it attractive and accessible to Ghanaians. The occasion was graced by prominent personalities within the football fraternity.

The Chairperson of the Women’s Premier Super Cup Committee, Barbara Asher Ayisi, touched on the need for Corporate Ghana to show interest in Women’s football.

“The QIC Women’s Premier super cup is here to help us further develop female football in our dear country’’ she said.

‘’Our core mandate is to have a successful maiden tournament. We want this super cup to be the best in this country, so kindly come on board to support us, encourage and motivate our women,” she added.

President of Ghana Football Association Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku expressed his view on the new turn in Women’s football in Ghana.

He said that the GFA was happy to launch the two new special products which is the women’s super-cup and KGL Foundation sponsored U-17 clubs champions League.

‘’Women’s football in Ghana is gathering so much momentum that with our commitment to strengthening the game, we envisage dominance at the world stage in the years to come.’”

‘’I’m super excited about the QIC Women’s Premier super cup and I’m looking forward to attending all the games,’’ Simeon-Okraku added.

The Women’s Super-Cup which kicks off on Friday, November 25, 2021, will be played among the top four teams from the Southern and Northern Zones in last season’s Women’s Premier League.

Ampem Darkoa Ladies, Prisons Ladies, Kumasi Sports Academy and Ashtown Ladies will represent the Northern Zone whilst Hasaacas Ladies, Berry Ladies, Soccer Intellectuals and Ladystrikers represent the Southern Zone.

The teams have been grouped into two – Ampem Darkoa, Soccer Intellectuals, Prisons and Berry Ladies making Group “A” while Hasaacas, Ladystrikers, Kumasi Sports Academy and Ashtown Ladies make Group “B”.

The league will be played simultaneously using the Madina Zurak Park and the McDan La Town Park.

The tournament will serve as a preparatory ground and additional incentive to clubs and players ahead of the 2021/2022 season which will commence in January 2022.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

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