England Soccer Player's Form Mocked by Ghanaian MP in Parliament Debate

A Ghanaian MP mocked England footballer Harry Maguire during a debate in the country’s parliament on November 29, comparing his recent struggles with Manchester United to the economic performance of government.

Isaac Adongo, MP for Bolgatanga Central, compared the country’s vice president, Mahamudu Bawumia, to Maguire, accusing the former of scoring own goals against Ghana.

“[Maguire] became the biggest threat at the center of Manchester United’s defense. Tackling Manchester players and giving assists to opponents,” Adongo says as fellow MPs laugh along.

“Mr Speaker when the opponents fail to score, Maguire would score for them. Mr Speaker, you remember in this country we also have an economic Maguire,” Adongo adds.

“Mr Speaker, when we give this economic Maguire the opportunity to be at the center of our defense, he became the risk of our own goal,” Adongo continued.

Maguire has received criticism after a loss of form for Manchester United over the past two years. However, he has been praised for his performances at the center of England’s defense at the World Cup. Credit: Parliament of Ghana via Storyful

Video transcript

ISAAC ADONGO: Mr. Speaker, I am not surprised. If you are a fan of football-- and I'm happy to see you the other day jubilating when Ghana won. But there was a player in the United Kingdom in England, Carl Maguire, who was playing for Manchester United-- Harry Maguire.

He's a defender. He was tackling everybody and throwing his bodies everywhere, and he was seen as the best defender in the world. Manchester United went and bought him.

He became the biggest threat at the center of Manchester United's defense, [INAUDIBLE] Manchester players, and giving assists to opponents. Mr. Speaker, when you [INAUDIBLE] to stop [INAUDIBLE] stop [INAUDIBLE]. Mr. Speaker, you remember in this country, we also have an economic Maguire.

This economic Maguire went to [INAUDIBLE] market, and we're clapping, saying that this man is the best in monitoring foreign currency. The same economic Maguire was [INAUDIBLE] at Central University delivering lectures on how to restore the value of the city. Mr. Speaker, when we got this Maguire had the opportunity to be at the center of our defense, he became the risk of our own goal.

But the [INAUDIBLE] our economic Maguire is now tackling all the fundamentals of our economy and destroying all of them. [INAUDIBLE] said that he was the best [INAUDIBLE] in inflation. He moved that to 40.4. When we saw that he was the best in managing [INAUDIBLE], that was 9% at the [INAUDIBLE].

He moved it to 54%. Mr. Speaker, this man was crying everywhere that businesses are collapsing because of interest rates. Today, [INAUDIBLE] enterprises will have to borrow above the 36% government is borrowing-- somewhere around 45% to 50%. Mr. Speaker, the biggest fear now is that we may be paid a [INAUDIBLE] fee for this Maguire to [INAUDIBLE] against [INAUDIBLE].

- Are they [INAUDIBLE]?

ISAAC ADONGO: Mr. Speaker-- Mr. Speaker--

- [INAUDIBLE]