Ghana MP Isaac Adongo Apologizes for Ridiculing Manchester United Star Harry Maguire

Ghanaian MP Isaac Adongo has apologized to Manchester United footballer Harry Maguire for mocking him last year. During a budget debate, Adongo compared Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia's economic management to Maguire's performances on the pitch. Although Maguire has faced criticism from fans, fellow footballers have defended him. Adongo, however, wanted to correct the record and praised Maguire as a "transformational footballer" and a key player for Manchester United. Despite this apology, Adongo continued to criticize Vice-President Bawumia, stating that he is now at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with a cup in hand. Bawumia leads the government's economic management team as Ghana confronts a severe economic crisis, including high government debt and inflation. Adongo's comparison of Bawumia to Maguire was widely shared on social media, adding to the footballer's existing criticism. England manager Gareth Southgate condemned the mockery, defending Maguire's importance to the team. Maguire's mother also spoke out against the abuse her son has faced. Some Ghanaians have reacted to Adongo's apology, acknowledging Maguire's improvement as a player, but criticizing Ghana's economic managers. Adongo justified the government's decision to increase taxes and tariffs on services as part of their agreement with the IMF, which sparked public anger over rising costs of living and unemployment. Despite the controversy, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has selected Bawumia as its candidate for the upcoming 2024 elections, making him the first Muslim to contest the presidency under the NPP since 1992. Bawumia has promised to lead a united and energized NPP into the election, claiming that their party is the only one capable of transforming Ghana.