Afriyie’s comments come after the Black Galaxies’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

Despite expectations for back-to-back qualifications over Nigeria, Ghana lost 3-1 in the second leg in Uyo, following a 0-0 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium in the first leg.

While expressing disappointment over the Black Galaxies’ result, Afriyie praised head coach Mas Ud Didi Dramani, acknowledging him as one of the best coaches in the country.

However, he emphasized that without addressing manipulation in football, national teams will continue to struggle to achieve success.

“We have a lot of talent in this country. Mas Ud Didi Dramani who is the head coach of the Black Galaxies, I do rank him among the best coaches in the country but as to why they didn’t perform, I don’t know but until manipulation is kicked out, our national teams will continue to struggle,” Mr Afriyie told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

In another setback for Ghanaian football, the senior national team, the Black Stars, also failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, marking the first time in two decades that they will miss the prestigious competition, which will take place in Morocco later this year.

Dr Kwame Asah-Asante in his submission on JoyNews’ PM Express said that the evening before the polls was going to be a busy night in the Ejisu constituency.

He noted the night preceding an election usually witnesses a flurry of activity, including attempts at influence, inducement, and manipulation.

According to him, the strategy and resources of competitors during what he termed “the night before” the election could play a crucial role in determining the poll’s outcome.

“What will play out will be your strategy, resource, and the way you organise what is termed ‘the night before’. This night, I tell you things are going to happen.

“There’ll be a lot of influence, you are going to see inducement, change of mind, and manipulation to the highest level, and that is where you will see the dominant party model against rational choice,” he said on Monday.

Referencing the Info-Analytic poll on the Ejisu by-election, Dr Asah-Asante noted that it was going to be a difficult race.

Nonetheless, he believed the competitors who exploit the ‘night before’ efficiently stand a chance over the opponent.

“With Info analytics publishing their polls that if there is going to be a winner, it will be by a slim margin, this means that it is a game for everybody.”

But how can you tell if they’re truly being genuine or they’re trying to manipulate you?

Therapist Logan Cohen breaks down the five ways people might use the phrase “I love you” to manipulate others.

5 Secret Ways People Use ‘I Love You” As A Form Of Manipulation

1. Saying “I love you” before a request or when they know you will be upset.

When you were a child you likely pulled the “I love you” card to get what you wanted. You uttered this phrase to your parents in hopes of getting that extra slice of cake or quelling their anger for failing your math exam.

And like a child, this person may use “I love you” to get what they want out of you. So, if your partner says “I love you” right before a serious talk or when asking for something, they’re likely trying to manipulate your emotions, summarizes Cohen.

2. Saying they adore every single thing you’re interested in.

Meeting someone you have so much in common with is the greatest thing ever. And while talking, you might feel as if you’ve known this person all your life.

They like the things you like and adore the things you adore. But before you let your guard down, take a moment to question if they’re truly being authentic with you.

In reality, everyone is different and you won’t always like the things other people enjoy. So, if you see that you and another person have too much in common, to the point where they don’t seem to have any differences from you, then you’re being manipulated, explains Cohen.

3. Saying “I love you” in words, but without aligning actions.

Saying “I love you” is the easy part, but if their actions don’t align, they probably don’t care for you. Remember, our actions are a reflection of our state of mind.

And if their actions show they don’t care, then deep down inside you likely aren’t important to them. As Cohen puts it, “People might not always mean what they say, but always trust that people mean what they do.”

4. Over-focusing on sex as their only way of expressing love.

Connecting with your partner on a sexual level is great for your relationship. However, if they’re only using sex to express their love then they’re manipulating you.

Sex is just a puzzle of what makes someone fall for you. And if they can’t express their love in other meaningful ways, then is it even love?

5. Constantly talking about a future you haven’t agreed to.

During late-night phone calls with a potential partner, they might bring up the future with you. Talking about the future isn’t a red flag in itself. However, discussing it often too soon can be a form of manipulation.

“They’re trying to get you to fall in love with an illusion,” says Cohen. Be careful, as they may be trying to shift the focus away from one thing, to distract from potential red flags.Connecting with someone is wonderful, but it’s also important to not rush things. So, before you fall, take a step back and consider these five signs to see if this person you love truly loves you back.

The students were found to have paid an individual to hack into the university’s database, to manipulate their grades for the 2015/2016 academic year.

The dismissed students reportedly paid between to GHc 2,000 to GHc 4,000, to have their grades changed, and were set to graduate later in 2017.

News of the dismissals follows the arrest of some 20 persons by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), for attempting to hack the University of Ghana website to change the grades of students.

The University of Professional Studies, has assured that the decision to expel the 22 students was taken without prejudice to any criminal investigation.

In a Citi News interview, the Registrar of the University, Seidu Mohammed Mustapha, said the integrity of the university was at stake, hence the need to “take these measures in order that they serve as a deterrent.

So the Academic Board met and took a decision and decided that all of them should be expelled.”

Seven of the 22 dismissed students had their pictures published on the school’s website as a further sanction, because they did not aid investigations into the matter, according to Mr. Mustapha. In the meantime, police are investigating the matter, whiles the alleged hacker has been granted bail.

The registrar noted that, the alleged hacker “reported himself to the police and was given bail, and it was through that we requested to interact with him. He has since cooperated with the committee and showed remorse.”