Bolgatanga, June 23, GNA - Every human activity in Bolgatanga came to a standstill on Thursday afternoon, as residents went wild in celebration of the Black Stars 2-1 victory over the United States (US) at the ongoing world cup soccer competition in Germany.
The jubilation began even before the match started. At about 1200 noon excited motorcyclists could be seen racing on some of the major streets in town in a rather hazardous manner, amid cheers from passers-by. Then the whole town went quite as kick-off time approached. Shops were closed, offices deserted and the streets devoid of traffic. Wherever a crowd was gathered, you could bet there was a television set.
The silence was broken with a spontaneous shout "Goal!" erupting from every corner of the town when the Stars got their first goal. Then an uneasy quiet descended again, especially with the coming of the equalizer from the US team. Hell broke loose when the Black Stars scored the second goal. Ecstatic residents took to the streets to begin the jubilation even before the final whistle. Ghana's victory was a fore-gone conclusion.
The entire Township went into frenzy at the end of proceedings. Cars, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, all clad in the national colours, took to the streets and for once law and order was entirely forgotten, as Police vehicles blared their sirens and joined the spontaneous street procession.
The Regional Minister, Mr Boniface Gambila became the centre of attraction at a scene in front of the National Investment Bank (NIB) right at the heart of town. Donned in red, gold and green and waving the national flag, he stood in the bucket of a pickup vehicle and danced as an ever-growing crowd cheered him on. From the NIB area the procession led by the Regional Minister, went on a street fiesta accompanied by brass band music and chanting of patriotic songs in praise of Ghana and the Black Stars.
The whole euphoria gave one the feeling that the Stars had won the World Cup already. Asked whether the very thought of Ghana's imminent clash with Brazil was not enough to mar the good feeling of the moment, an excited soccer fan replied, "Brazil is not invincible and the Ghana Boys will prove it." In deed, many other people the Ghana News Agency spoke to on Friday morning echoed this confident viewpoint, apparently emboldened by Japan's daring first goal surprise in their Thursday night encounter with the Brazilians.
As can be expected, Thursday's post-match euphoria was not without casualties. A number of motorcycle accidents occurred in various parts of the town, including two nasty ones in front of the main Post Office in Bolgatanga but no deaths were reported.
