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Baba Rahman Is “A Viticm Of Circumstances”- Alhassan Mohammed
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Published June 3 2026
Published at: 12:35Pm
Story by Saibu Terry
The return of Black Stars defender Baba Rahman to the national team has continued to generate debate among Ghanaian football fans, with concerns centered more on the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) handling of his recall than the player himself.
RTU striker Alhassan Mohammed on his Facebook page believes Baba has become “a victim of circumstance,” arguing that his perceived close association with the GFA has contributed significantly to the criticism he faces from sections of the football fraternity.
According to Mohammed, many supporters had questioned Baba’s inclusion in previous national team call-ups before his prolonged absence from the Black Stars setup. Following a difficult outing in Kumasi several years ago, the defender remained away from the national team for nearly four years.
His sudden reappearance in Ghana’s World Cup squad, Mohammed argues, caught many fans by surprise and reinforced an existing perception that Baba enjoys preferential treatment from football authorities.
He contends that the GFA could have better managed the player’s return by adequately preparing supporters through official communication and engagement before announcing his inclusion in the squad.
The situation was further complicated by the omission of Derrick Köhn, a player who had recently earned praise from supporters following impressive performances in international friendlies. The decision inevitably placed Baba under intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
Mohammed maintains that efforts to justify Baba’s inclusion through statistics and past performances were unlikely to convince critics. Instead, he suggested that the defender’s best response would be to prove doubters wrong on the pitch through strong performances.
However, Baba’s recent outing failed to ease concerns after he was beaten in a move that eventually led to a goal. While such incidents are common in football, Mohammed noted that the circumstances surrounding the player’s return meant that any mistake would attract heightened criticism.
”The reality is that Baba is now under enormous pressure,” he stated, adding that the defender’s confidence could suffer if he is not mentally strong enough to cope with the criticism.
Despite the backlash, Mohammed rejected claims that the criticism is motivated by Baba’s northern Ghanaian roots or his Muslim faith. He pointed out that several northern and Muslim players, including Mohammed Kudus, receive widespread praise whenever they perform well for the national team.
Rather, he believes the criticism stems from widespread dissatisfaction with the football administration, with Baba unfortunately being viewed by some supporters as an extension of the GFA.
”Many of the attacks directed at Baba are actually aimed at the FA,” Mohammed argued. “Hurting Baba is seen by some as indirectly hurting the FA.”
He concluded by expressing sympathy for the defender and wished him well as he navigates what he described as a challenging period in his football career.
”As always, that’s football for you—very unpredictable,” he remarked.
News
Bawa Mugis Defends Baba Abdul-Rahman, Calls for Fair and Consistent Criticism of Black Stars Players
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Published: May 3 2026
Published at: 7:07 PM
Story by Saibu Terry
Sports journalist Bawa Mugis has come to the defense of Ghana international Baba Abdul-Rahman, urging football fans and commentators to apply fairness and consistency when assessing players’ performances.
Sharing his opinion on his Facebook page on the growing criticism surrounding Abdul-Rahman’s recent call-up to the Black Stars, Mugis stressed that while no player is beyond scrutiny, criticism should always be constructive, factual, and free from personal bias.
According to him, the level of hostility directed at the experienced defender in recent weeks has been excessive, particularly on social media, where some critics have questioned the legitimacy of his inclusion in the national team and alleged external influence without providing evidence.
Mugis noted that every football supporter has the right to express an opinion, but argued that the repeated targeting of Abdul-Rahman raises concerns about whether the criticism is purely football-related.
He further questioned the apparent double standards in public reactions to the Black Stars’ performances, pointing out that there was significantly less outrage when the team failed to win six consecutive matches.
The journalist cited Ghana’s 5-0 friendly defeat to Austria as an example, observing that no individual player was singled out for widespread condemnation despite the heavy loss. He suggested that had Abdul-Rahman featured in that match, much of the blame might have been directed at him.
Mugis called on supporters and pundits to evaluate all players using the same standards, emphasizing that criticism remains an important part of football but must be balanced, objective, and consistent.
He concluded by wishing the Black Stars success in their upcoming international assignments and urged Ghanaians to rally behind the national team.
”Criticism is part of football, but it should be consistent and fair. Let’s stop the selective amnesia and judge players by the same standards,” Mugis stated.
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Baba Rahman remains optimistic despite late heartbreak in Cardiff.
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Published: June 3 2026
Published at 5:15Pm
Story by Saibu Terry
Ghana defender Baba Abdul Rahman has called for patience and unity after the Black Stars were denied victory in dramatic fashion during their international friendly against Wales on Tuesday night.
The experienced defender has urged Ghanaians to keep faith in the Black Stars after their 1-1 draw against Wales, insisting that the team’s journey is a marathon and not a sprint as they continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following the 1-1 draw at Cardiff City Stadium, Baba Rahman took to social media to share an encouraging message with fans:
”Gutted we could not get the win last night, but this is a marathon, not a sprint. We will get there. This group will give everything for this precious shirt. God bless our homeland Ghana 🇬🇭. #NawuniGhafara.”
The Black Stars looked set for a morale-boosting victory after young midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored in the 66th minute, finishing off a move created by Ernest Nuamah. However, Wales struck deep into stoppage time when Lewis Koumas headed home an equaliser to ensure the match ended 1-1.
Despite the disappointment of conceding late, the result provided several positives for new coach Carlos Queiroz, who is continuing to shape the team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana showed resilience, defensive organisation, and glimpses of attacking quality, while several young players impressed on the night.
Baba Rahman’s message reflects the mood within the camp as the players remain focused on the bigger objective. The 31-year-old defender recently returned to the national team setup and was included in Ghana’s World Cup squad after a lengthy absence from regular international action.
The Black Stars are now expected to shift their attention to the upcoming World Cup, where they will begin their campaign against Panama before facing England and Croatia in a challenging Group L.
Although the victory slipped away in the dying moments, Baba Rahman and his teammates remain determined to repay the faith of Ghanaians by fighting for every point and wearing the national jersey with pride as the world’s biggest football tournament approaches.
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Afenyo-Markin Denies Anti-Gay Bill Post, Says Social Media Account Was Hacked
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Published: June 2 2026
Published at : 6:33Pm
Story by Saibu Terry
Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has rejected claims that he publicly criticised Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, stating that a social media post attributed to him was unauthorized and published after his account was compromised.
The controversial post, which circulated widely across social media platforms on Tuesday, appeared to show the Minority Leader expressing opposition to the legislation, commonly referred to as the anti-gay bill. In the post, he was quoted as arguing that laws should not criminalize individuals because of their sexual orientation or personal relationships.
The statement quickly gained traction online, generating widespread discussion and prompting varied reactions from the public amid ongoing national conversations about the bill.
However, the post was later deleted, and a subsequent message appeared on Afenyo-Markin’s official Facebook page distancing him from the publication.
“Kindly disregard this post. Account was compromised,” he stated, indicating that the earlier message did not reflect his views.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, was passed by the Parliament of Ghana on May 29 following consideration of several amendments. The legislation seeks to prohibit LGBTQ-related activities in Ghana while providing exemptions for certain professionals, including legal practitioners, journalists, media organizations, and healthcare workers acting within the scope of their duties.
The bill remains one of the most debated pieces of legislation in the country, drawing strong support from advocates who say it upholds Ghanaian cultural and family values, while critics argue that it raises concerns about human rights, freedom of expression, and individual liberties.
As public discussions continue, Afenyo-Markin’s clarification has added a new dimension to the debate, particularly regarding the authenticity of information shared on social media platforms.