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Prioritize Karela United over Steadfast – Ibrahim Gagbuni to Haruna Iddrisu

Published on May 10 2025

Veteran Football Administrator and Bankroller of FC Tamale, Mr. Ibrahim Gagbuni has called on Education Minister, Hon.Haruna Iddrisu who doubles as owner of Karela United to prioritize the campaign of the premier league club ensuring their stay in the Ghanaian elite Football Division, while also admonishing the lawmaker to reconsider the ambition of Steadfast FC in the Division One League, a club he bankrolls too.

According to Mr. Gagbuni, maintaining two clubs at the elite level is economically unsustainable, strategically counterproductive, and dilutes the potential of both teams.

In a long epistle on Facebook, the UK-based Football Administrator commended the efforts of the Education Minister for investing in football, but maintains that it is not sustainable.

“While ambition is commendable, maintaining two clubs at the elite level is economically unsustainable, strategically counterproductive, and dilutes the potential of both teams Here’s why: Economic & Managerial Strain, we all know what it’s take to run a club let alone running two competitive clubs and it’s demands, Double financial investment, salaries, logistics, facilities and general administrative cost”.

Explaining reasons for his advice, the FC Tamale Owner, believes splitting resources between two clubs makes no sense, rather weakening the potential of the two clubs, hence suggests that Karela FC, a Premier League club, should be well funded as it has the propensity to outperform two financially stretched clubs.

To further his call, Mr. Ibrahim Gagbunidoo intimated that Steadfast should serve as a feeder club for Karela, producing and nurturing young talents for the Premier League. Instead of competing for the same players, adding that
A United structure would streamline talent progression and reduce risk to both clubs.

“Steadfast should serve as a feeder club for Karela, recruiting and nurturing young talents for the Premier League. Instead of competing for the same players, a united structure would streamline talent progression. And reduced risk to both clubs, as we all know that both of them in elite leagues risk cannibalizing each other’s squad depth, leaving Karela weaker in the top-flight league”.

He recognized brand Consolidation and Regional Dominance as a competitive advantage that Karela FC can leverage to thrive.

“Brand Consolidation & Regional Dominance.
Karela has a unique opportunity to dominate the Northern Ghana football scene, utilising fans across all 4 Northern Regions. Two club split fans’ loyalty and sponsorship appeals, whereas one strong Karela can become the undisputed regional powerhouse, attracting bigger investment, commercial deals, and fan base”.

Karela United is currently under siege in the Ghana Premier League as relegation is staring in their face if performance is not improved as the league inches to an end. Karela lies 15th on the league log with 32 points, the same points as the 14th-placed team.

Below is the full epistle of Ibrahim Gagbuni

Hon Haruna Iddrisu must Stop the split, why Leader must choose between Karela’s glory or dual club failure.

A call for Resources on Karela United Over Steadfast FC, I strongly advocate for Hon Haruna Iddrisu to prioritize karela united in the Ghana premier league and reconsider steadfast Division One ambitions

In a long epistle on Facebook, the UK base Football Administrator commended the efforts of the Education Minister for investing in football but maintains that it is not sustainable.

“While ambition is commendable, maintaining two clubs at the elite level is economically unsustainable, strategically counterproductive, and dilutes the potential of both teams Here’s why: Economic & Managerial Strain , we all know what it’s take to run a club let alone running two competitive clubs and it’s demands, Double financial investment, salaries,logistics,facilities and general administrative cost”

Ghanaian football already struggles with funding, and splitting resources between Karela a premier league club and steadfast a division one club weakens both.
One well funded Karela will out perform two financially stretched teams

Player Development & Competitive Edge Steadfast should serve as a feeder club for Karela, recruiting and nurturing young talents for the Premier League. Instead of competing for the same players,
A United structure would streamline talent progression. And reduced risk to both clubs, as we all know that both of them in elite leagues risk cannibalizing each others squad depth, leaving Karela weaker in the top flight league.

These could be the beginning of
brand Consolidation & Regional Dominance.
Karela has a unique opportunity to dominate Northern Ghana football scenes utilising fans across all 4 Northern Regions .Two club split fans loyalty and sponsorship appeals, whereas one strong Karela can become the undisputed regional powerhouse, attracting bigger investment, commercial deals and fan base.

Leader must at all cost avoid self sabotage, steadfast rise directly compete with Karela for attention and resources and in a long run, both clubs loses their competitive badge. Ie, Karela struggles in the top flight and steadfast stuck in Division One.
A single focus on Karela ensures better management and a stand by replacement of upcoming talent . I personally feels so strongly about this and I hope that Leader will listen.
I have no doubt that Leader’s vision for football development is noble, but consolidation of Karela and steadfast is key.
Redirecting steadfast resources into Karela, Leader can build one elite club that is capable of winning trophies and competing in Africa which will definitely brings us all Northers pride and inspiration for the next generation.

Two struggling clubs make no sense . One dominant Karela does.
The choice is very clear .

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Quality Ice CEO Alhassan Iddi Donates Deep Freezer to Sankara Nationals FC


‎Details

Published: 21 October 2026

Published at: 11:09Am

By Saibu Terry


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‎The Chief Executive Officer of Quality Ice, a leading producer and distributor of quality mineral water in Yendi and the Eastern Corridor, Mr Alhassan Iddi, has donated a brand-new deep freezer to Sankara Nationals FC to support the club’s operations.


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‎The donation was made on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the club’s headquarters in Yendi, with representatives of the playing body and management receiving the item on behalf of the club.
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‎The delegation was led by players’ leadership representatives Mohammed Salis Toufick and Sulemana Murtala, alongside management member Tahiru Osman.


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‎Mr Iddi’s gesture is expected to contribute to the club’s operational needs as Sankara Nationals FC continues its campaign in the 2026/27 UMB Division One League.
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‎Quality Ice has established itself as one of the major producers and distributors of quality mineral water in Yendi and the wider Eastern Corridor, with the donation reflecting a show of support for the development of football in the area.


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‎Speaking on behalf of the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Osman Baba Daney, management member Tahiru Osman, popularly known as Orga, expressed profound gratitude to Mr Iddi for his generosity and commitment to supporting the club.


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‎He assured the donor that the deep freezer would be put to its intended use and maintained appropriately for the benefit of the club.
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‎The management, players, technical staff, supporters and all stakeholders of Sankara Nationals FC have expressed their appreciation to Mr Iddi and Quality Ice for the timely support.


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‎The club has also offered prayers for God’s blessings upon the donor, asking for continued prosperity and success in his business endeavours.
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‎The donation comes at a positive moment for Sankara Nationals FC, who are enjoying an impressive start to the 2026/27 UMB Division One League season.
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‎The Yendi-based side currently lead the Zone One A standings with 13 points from five matches, having recorded four wins and one draw.


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‎Their unbeaten run has strengthened their position at the top of the table as they continue to pursue their ambitions in the ongoing campaign.
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‎The club’s management has consistently called for support from individuals, businesses and other stakeholders to help sustain its progress and strengthen its efforts both on and off the pitch.


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‎Mr Alhassan Iddi’s donation is another welcome contribution towards that objective, with Sankara Nationals FC expressing optimism that such acts of goodwill will inspire further support for the club.

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NLA Presents GH¢10 Million Dividend to Government

Details

Published: October 2, 2026

Published at : 05:59Pm

By SAIBU TERRY.

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has presented a GH¢10 million dividend to the Government of Ghana, marking the Authority’s return to contributing directly to the Consolidated Fund.

The cheque was presented by the NLA Board and Management to the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, with Director-General Mohammed Abdul-Salam leading t8he Authority’s delegation.

The payment represents the NLA’s first dividend contribution to the state since 2017, according to reports on the presentation.

Dr. Ato Forson welcomed the development but stressed that the contribution should not be treated as a symbolic gesture. He called for sustained efforts by the NLA to improve its revenue generation and deliver greater financial value to the state.

The Finance Minister further disclosed that the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the NLA and the Attorney-General, is reviewing existing revenue-sharing agreements involving the Authority. According to him, the review is intended to address arrangements that may have limited the revenue accruing to government.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, NLA Director-General Mohammed Abdul-Salam said the dividend reflects the Authority’s renewed focus on efficiency, transparency and revenue generation.

He said the NLA would continue working to strengthen its operations and contribute meaningfully to national development through its statutory mandate.

The GH¢10 million payment is therefore being positioned as part of broader efforts to improve the NLA’s financial performance and strengthen its contribution to Ghana’s public finances.

The NLA has also urged the public to remain vigilant against fraudsters and scammers who may seek to exploit the Authority’s name for fraudulent activities.

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GABBSO Hospital Zone Treats Dakpema Pupils and Staff to Free Haircuts

Details

Published: September 26, 2026

Published at: 05:11

Ghananewsnet.com

​ Pupils and staff of the Dakpema Primary and Junior High School were met with a pleasant surprise on Friday, September 25, 2026, as the Hospital Zone of the Ghana Association of Barbers and Barbering Salon Owners (GABBSO) rolled out a free haircut outreach at their school compound.

​The community focused initiative brought smiles to the faces of over 100 students, providing them with fresh grooming free of charge.

According to leadership, the exercise forms part of the association’s broader corporate social responsibility to give back to society and support parents within the local community.

​Speaking during the outreach, the Regional Secretary of GABBSO, Mr. Abu Abdulai, who also serves as the Northern Regional Secretary for Association of Small Scale Industries(ASSI) took the opportunity to champion industry unity.

He urged fellow barbers operating within the region who have yet to join the association to register, emphasizing the numerous welfare and professional benefits members stand to gain.

​Mr. Abdulai also made a direct appeal to the Member of Parliament (MP) who double as Ghana Education Minister, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, calling for partnership and financial or logistical support.

He noted that with backing from the lawmaker, GABBSO can successfully scale up the initiative to reach many more schools across the constituency.

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