This festival is the biggest celebration of creativity to ever happen in the region. The next six months will be an electric time to celebrate culture, and everyone’s invited.

There will be more than 200 events to enjoy right across the West Midlands from March to September. Events include a spectacular open-air show, a brand-new Birmingham inspired album, an immersive 3D experience on public transport, photography exhibitions across billboards, a city centre forest of magical proportions, and much more.

Birmingham 2022

Faustina Sarkodie, an aspiring female footballer says she admires former Ghana Black Queens skipper, Adjoa Bayor and wants to be like her.

According to the defensive player who loves to play at the left back, she wants to play football to the highest level.

She completed Kwabenya Community SHS and now wants to move on as a footballer.

She also loves riding bicycle, but prefares to play football, with Barcelona as her best club. Messi and Asamoah Gyan are her idols in men’s football.

She appealed to football authorities to give equal opportunities to female players and encourage them.

She thanked the media for promoting female football, and urged them to do more.

By Elizabeth Alhassan

The Accra Academy as part of activities to mark its 90th Anniversary will host the ‘8th Koduah, Halm-Addo, Awuletey, Alema Memorial Lecture’ on Thursday at the school’s hall (K.G Konuah Hall) in Accra.

Under the auspices of the Board of Governors, Headmaster, Anniversary Planning Committee, Accra Academy Old Boys Association(AAOBA) Bleoo 1974 Year Group, Parents and Teachers Association (P.T.A) and Staff, the lecture would be held on the theme “Hydroxyrea Treatment for Sickel Cell Disease in Ghana: Bringing Comfort to Many More.”

Guest Speaker would be Bleoobi Prof. Isaac Odame, a Pediatric Haematologist at Toronto, Canada with Bleoobi Wilson Tei as Chairman while former Speaker of Parliament Bleoobi Dr. Edward Doe Adjaho would be the Special Guest of Honour.

The event is in honour of the founders of Accra Academy, Kofi George Konuah, James Akwei Ham-Addo, Samuel Neils Awuletey and Gottfried Narku Alema.

Side attraction would be the launch of the 80th Anniversary Book of Bleoo74(lead sponsors of the event).

The event is aimed at promoting the use of Hydroxyrea to treat sickle cell disease in the country especially among children.

The event would be supported by the Sickel Cell Foundation of Ghana, Sickel Cell Association of Ghana, Ghana Medical Association and Ghana Registered Nurses Association.

The Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Ghana College of Pharmacists and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana would also participate in the lecture.

Ghana in 2018 become the first nation in sub-Saharan Africa to provide quality healthcare for sickle cell patients following the introduction of Hydroxyrea drug in the country.

The drug which was brought into the country following a collaboration between the Sickle Cell Foundation, Ministry of Health and Novartis had been available across the country to help patients live a normal life.

The initiative was borne out of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ghana and Novartis (a global healthcare company based in Switzerland) at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, 2018.

Since then, efforts had been made by government with support from private healthcare practitioners to utilize the drug in the treatment of the disease.

Ghana then took the lead in Africa in the provision of the drug which would help prevent crisis that patients experienced.

The lecture would support government’s effort as far as research and advocacy to ensure that, the drug is accessible and used across the country.

Globally, more than 400,000 babies are born with sickle cell diseases annually with 80 percent of the number in sub-Saharan Africa.

It is also estimated that approximately 1000 children in Africa are born with the disease every day and more than half will die before they reach five. Ghana estimates 15,000 births affected by sickle cell disease every year.

Sickle cell disease is recognised by the World Health Assembly as a public health priority and a neglected health problem in sub-Saharan Africa.

The step taken by Ghana to provide the drugs to health centers across the country, is aimed at ensuring that death that caused by the disease would become a thing of the past.

Countries like the United States and Jamaica have more than 80 per cent of sickle cell children survival and Ghana could also achieve that feat with the application of the drug after screening newly born babies.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Women in Sports Association (WISA), an NGO that organizes sports events and honours outstanding female sports personalities will be awarding four ladies who participated in the just ended Cross Country Competition at Akyem Oda.

According to President of WISA, Madam Gloria Commodore she was highly impressed with the whole organization of the successful event.

She announced that the first lady to cross the finish line  Lariba Sakat, second  Sherifa Moro and third Titi Rosina as well as Diana Kumbetel, a physically challenged lady is with one arm and still complete will be honoured.

This award will be presented with the support of the NSA and the Presidency with HE Bawumia the Vice President of Ghana in attendance.

Diana Kumbetel competed at Takoradi Marathon 2020, and after seeing her in action, the President of WISA decided that she becomes an award winner for this season.

The President of WISA who was specially invited by the Director General of the NSA commended all the female runners and encouraged them to keep on doing what the love best, and try hard to be African champions.

William Amponsah and Lariba Sakat dominated  the event at Akyem Oda which was well patronized by all the regions in Ghana.

The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Prof. Peter Twumasi assisted by the Chairman for the LOC, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, fired the gun for the commencement of the Male 10kilometer National Cross Country Athletic competition at Akim Oda in the Eastern Region. The female race was also started by the Board Chairman of NSA with assistance from both senior officials.

All the dignitaries were proud and happy with the organization of the programme which was used a part of the planning for the 2023 African Games.

The 2022 edition themed "Running Towards the 13th African Games" took place at the Akyem Oda Sports Stadium in the Eastern Region.

The ladies division was keen as all the 16 regions paraded their best Athletes but Ghana Airforce Marathon runner and Upper East wonder kid, Lariba Sakat, was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 35minutes and 07seconds. She was followed by Sherifa Moro from the Ashanti region also within a time of 35mins and 41sec  whiles Titi Rosina from the Upper West coming third within a time of 35mins and 52seconds.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The MTN Ghana Foundation has launched the sixth edition of its flagship MTN Heroes of Change programme at a brief event at the MTN House in Accra.

The sixth edition, which is dubbed “Special 25th Anniversary Edition” is set to reward individuals and institutions who have made significant impact in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the country in the three focus areas of the MTN Ghana Foundation which are Health, Education and Economic Empowerment. 

From 23rd February to 7th April 2022 members of the general public are invited to  nominate COVID-19 heroes from their communities. The nominations will then be pruned to 10 and the stories of these 10 will be filmed and featured in a 13-week television show. A total of 200,000 has been set aside to reward  the final 10 heores  which means that all ten (10) finalists will receive a cash prize of GHS 20,000, a certificate, and a citation alongside the visibility on TV and social media channels.  Nominations can be made at www.heroes.mtn.com.gh.

Performing the launch, the Board Chairman of the MTN Ghana Foundation, Prof Franklyn Manu said,  “In the area of Education, we will be looking out for individuals and organizations that showed innovation in educating people about COVID or ensuring that students were kept meaningfully engaged/educated throughout the period of the pandemic. For the Health category, individuals and organizations that showed leadership in providing for and supporting the effort to rid the country of the pandemic will be recognized. Economic Empowerment will focus on individuals and organizations that showed leadership in providing economic support to people who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

A three-member panel has been selected to oversee the MTN Hero of Change project. They are Rev. Albert Ocran, an international motivational speaker, Mr Sydney Casely-Hayford, a business and financial analyst and Oheneyire Gifty Anti, a renowned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and gender advocate

MTN Heroes of Change was launched in July 2013 with the aim of identifying and recognizing selfless people who continue to sacrifice their time and resources to improve their communities and brighten lives. Since its inception, 50 heroes have been recognized and awarded for their contributions to society with 5 emerging as the overall Heroes of Change winners As a result of its impact, MTN Heroes of Change has won several awards which include 2016 IPR Best Community Relations Programme of the Year and CSR Program of the Year 2015 by the Head of State Awards (HoSA) Scheme.

List of Athletics competitions in Ghana 2022

List of competitions in Ghana

The 2022 season in Ghana will be one of the most packed seasons of competitions on the track, road, and cross country events. Most of the races in 2020 and 2021 were postponed and later cancelled due to the insurgence of the coronavirus pandemic (covid-19).

“The new Omicron variant is spreading very fast than usual”, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued an alert to the general public to go for their vaccination and follow the protocols diligently to minimize the spread.

We contacted most of the road running race directors but they are not certain of their events coming on due to the coronavirus pandemic (covid-19). But they all assured us that they are following the situations and if any changes will be communicated right here.

Already race organisers have started preparing ahead of the coming 2022 season. Below are the confirmed races in Ghana in 2022.

The list of some of the competitions in Ghana.

Event Venue         Region        Date

Inter-District XC   Dambai       Oti     8 Jan

Inter-District XC   Sekondi Sports Stadium Western       21-22 Jan

Inter-District XC   Rawlings Sports Stadium         Upper East  22 Jan

Ghana Armed Forces XC         Accra Greater Accra        29 Jan

Circuit I Zonal Championship  Tamale        Northern     5 Feb

NSA National XC Akim Oda   Eastern        19 Feb

Circuit II Zonal Championship Sunyani                5 Mar

GAF Open Championship       Elwak Sports Stadium    Accra 12 Mar

Circuit III Zonal Championship         Koforidua   Eastern        19 Mar

Circuit IV Zonal Championship         Cape Coast  Central        26 Mar

Diamond Championship Kumasi       Ashanti       2 Apr

Golden Championship   Cape Coast  Central        16 Apr

Zonal National Championships          Kumasi       Ashanti       30 Apr

National Championship  Accra Greater Accra        13 May

National Championship  Accra Greater Accra        14 May

PAAG Championship    Kumasi       Ashanti       25 Jun

Asante Akyem Marathon          Asante Akyem      Ashanti       Sep

Tamale Marathon  Tamale        Northern     Sep

Koforidua Marathon       Koforidua   Eastern        Sep

Millennium Marathon     Accra Greater Accra        Sep

Fish Fm Marathon          Offinso        Ashanti       Dec

Junior Olympics Championships       Paa Joe Sports Stadium  Ashanti       Dec

Sekondi-Takoradi Marathon    Sekondi-Takoradi Western       Dec

*To be updated

Source - ATHLETICSHOUR.COM

Friends of Integrity put up a great performance to beat Passion Ladies 2-0 in a special football match to celebrate their founder's birthday.

The match which came off on Friday night at the new Stephen Appiah Astro Turf at Mamprobi attracted lots of fans.

After wasting lots of scoring opportunities in the early minutes of the game Integrity who were coached by Your Truely raised their game and intensified the tempo to pile pressure on their opponents resulting in the first goal by Atwe (Messi) spotting the number 10 jersey.

Centre forward Leticia aka Dzan Ayor who mesmerized the fans with her deft touches and pace made it two nil in the second half.

She combined effectively with Angela, the play maker and winger Joyce to over ride the Passion Ladies. Obiele added power with her effective overlapping to assist the attack of Integrity, and they maintained the result.

The fans who watched the game played from 10pm to 12.30am were more than satisfied and called for another match that would involve other clubs with a trophy and prizes at stake.

The Chairman of Integrity, Dodzie was so excited after the match and commended his players who really thrilled with their soccer techniques and dancing moves whenever a goal is scored.

The players who featured for Friends of Integrity were Jane in goal, Naomi and Obiele as lateral defenders, while Vida and Samira operated as central defense generals supported by Love and Atwe the midfield dynamos.

Wingers Joyce and Deborah were also quick on the night, while energetic Angela and flamboyant Leticia just tormented the Passion Ladies goal area.

Others who came on the feel the game were Olivia Hackman, Sarah, and Akuokor.

Queen of Integrity, Ama expressed her joy and also hailed her players for putting up a marvelous show.

Other spectators who spoke with Yours Truly after the game suggested more of such fun games to bond the people of Chorkor, Mamprobi and Korle Gonno to unite and live in harmony through sports and entertainment.

The match exposed talents proving that Ablekuma South has more to offer.

In the curtains raiser, Blue Nation beat Signature by two goals to nil.

Kengen Mineral Water was the choice of refreshment all over the field.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Long distance runners, William Amponsah from the Central region and Sakat Lariba from the Upper East region are winners of the just ended 2022 National Cross Country Competition which took placed earlier today, February 26, 2022 at the Akyem Oda Sports Stadium in the Eastern region. The two dominated the 10 kilometer race within a time frame of 28.16 seconds and 35. 07 seconds to win the men and women’s race respectively.

The 2022 edition themed "Running Towards the 13th African Games" took place at the Akyem Oda Sports Stadium in the Eastern Region.

The ladies division was keen as all the 16 regions paraded their best Athletes but Ghana Airforce Marathon runner and Upper East wonder kid, Lariba Sakat, was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 35minutes and 07seconds. She was followed by Sherifa Moro from the Ashanti region also within a time of 35mins and 41sec  whiles Titi Rosina from the Upper West coming third within a time of 35mins and 52seconds.

The Men’s event was another nerve racking one as the finest runners from the 16 regions also went  neck to neck. William Amponsah from the Central region beat a quality field with a time of 28minutes and  16seconds. Koogo Atia from the North East region followed with a time of 29 mins and 25sec whiles Aziz Mohammed also from Central region, came third with a time of 29minutes and 47seconds. The 10km race commenced at exactly 7am after the symbolic gunshot by the Director General of National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Peter Twumasi and Board Chairman of NSA, Hon. Seth Panwum for both the male and female categories. Each of the 16 regions fielded 12 athletes, 6 men and 6 women. In all a total of 192 athletes participated.

Prof. Peter Twumasi in his keynote address expressed his profound gratitude and satisfaction to dignitaries present at the event especially the Municipal Chief Executive(MCE) for Birim Central, Hon. Victoria Adu for the key role each of them played in ensuring the 4th edition of the National Cross Country event was made a success. He again advised the other federations to emulate the Ghana Athletic Association by organising such district and national events for their respective disciplines.

He also assured the people of Akyem Oda of H.E. Nana Addo Danquah's committment to ensuring that the Akyem Oda stadium is renovated to one of the multipurpose stadia across the country.

He further mentioned that, this competitions will go a long way to boost the country's economy by creating jobs for others since Sports is seen as a lucrative business now.

District Chief Executive(DCE) for Achiase District, Hon. Richmond Amponsah who represented the Eastern regional minister was grateful for “the  honor bestowed on them to host the 2022 National Cross Country event”. He appealed that, a close attention is paid to the athletes and nurture them to produce results for the 13th All African Games to be held in Accra come 2023.

Board Chairman for NSA, Hon Seth Panwum congratulated the participants for their hard work and resilience. He explained that, the infrastructural development that is being championed by the government is not only for our human resource development but also geared towards increasing of Sports because participation in international championships and exceling in them can help boost “our tourism sector”. He again mentioned that winners of this year's competition will form a core team of Ghana’s athletics team for the upcoming African Games in 2023”.  He added,the winners will be decorated by President Akufo Addo. He advised them to continue training hard to be in shape for the African Games.

Over all regional results on the Men leaderboard, Central region came top with 23points. Upper west region came second with 44 points with  Ashanti region amassing 55points and staying in the third place. In the Women’s leaderboard  Upper West region occupied the summit with 21 points.  Ashanti region came second with 34 points and  with Upper East third with 47 points

Present at the ceremony were Board Chairman of NSA, Hon. Seth Panwum, Director General of NSA, Prof. Peter Twumasi, MCE for Birim Central, Hon. Victoria Adu, LOC Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, President of Ghana Athletic Association (GAA), Afelibeik Ababu, Ag. Deputy Director General(Technical) NSA,  Mr. Kwame Amponfi Jnr., Deputy Director General (Administration) NSA, Mr. Majeed Bawa and General Secretary for GAA, Mr. Bawa Fuseini.

By Sharon Odoi

NSA/PR

The Management of Kels Media Group Consult, the official event organisers in collaboration with the Asamoah Gyan Foundation wish to

officially announce to the General Public and the Media the official book launch of Asamoah Gyan, the former captain of the Black Stars.

The maiden event, which will be an exclusive presidential round table reception will be on Saturday, 30th April, 2022 at the Kempinski

Hotel in Accra. Red Carpet and exhibition of Mr Gyan’s trophies and other achievements will be at 5:00 PM, Main event at 6:00 PM.

The book will also be launched in Kumasi (Ghana) as well as in the United Arab Emirates and in the United Kingdom.

The project is aimed at capturing the memoirs of former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan, featuring a no-holds-barred account of the untold stories behind his football career. The climax of the launch will be a riveting and captivating video documentary and public auction of his book.

The Guest of Honor will be H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana. The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Patrice

Motsepe, President of CAF. Also, in attendance will be the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif; Ghana Football Association President, Mr. Kurt Okraku; Members of Parliament, the Diplomatic Corps as well as past and present members of the Black Stars.

The maiden launch in Accra is strictly by invitation and will be attended by International Coaches, the business community, the Clergy, politicians, and the media. Also expected are distinguished global football personalities such as Didier Drogba, Anthony Baffoe, Emmanuel

Adebayor, Jay Jay Okocha, Anthony Yeboah, Milovan Rajevac, Baffour Gyan, Samuel Osei Kuffour, Avram Grant, Kwesi Appiah, Agyeman Badu, and others.

COMPANY PROFILE

Our organization KELS MEDIA is an Events Management, Production and Consulting Company. Over the years, the company has thrived on its good name by producing nothing less than magnificent events. From talent management and corporate events, we pride ourselves projects that bring about social change. Over the years, KELS MEDIA has organized and executed media plans for various organizations in and outside Ghana. We have consulted for non-organization entities, ensuring professional and eventful programs that create both mileage and recognition. Ours is a creative spirit embodied in our people, captured in our ideas, enlivened by our skills and reflected in our reputation to invest in our youth. We are a first-class Company yet still imaginative, bold and edgy – we never sacrifice substance for style. We balance substance and style.

The KELS MEDIA team, led by Ms. Stella Kekeli Attakora is composed of experienced and dedicated individuals with steadfast knowledge in Sports Management and Talents, Events Management, Documentaries and TV Productions. Our team can design, create and customize events with uniqueness beyond expectations. Additionally, the team is passionate about the prospect of amalgamating the Youth of this country for positive development.

The terrible and dangerous escalation of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine is experiencing another decisive phase in these hours, creating a humanitarian crisis. A scenario that involves Ukrainian sports as well: after the introduction of martial law overnight by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy all sports activities have been suspended.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUSPENDED The current situation involves the Ukrainian football world as well. The Ukraine championship, in fact, has been temporarily suspended for the next 30 days, according to an official statement by the Ukraine football federation via their website. The league was meant to restart on Friday following its winter break, with a “life goes on plan”, but the league confirmed in the past hours that the start has been delayed, after the introduction - as previously mentioned - of martial law. 

THE UKRAINE NATIONAL TEAM Doubts about Ukraine's World Cup play-off match against Scotland, scheduled on March 24, in Glasgow, will take place or not now are increasing as well in these hours. UEFA and FIFA, for the moment, are waiting for an evolution of the situation and did not make an official decision about it and about the possibility of changing the 2022 UEFA Champions League final, scheduled on May 28, from Saint Petersburg to another location, as suggested in the past days by United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson in an official statement.

THE POSITION OF UEFA UEFA, in the meantime, made the following statement about the situation: "Following the evolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine in the last 24 hours, the UEFA President has decided to call an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee for Friday 25 February at 10:00 CET, in order to evaluate the situation and take all necessary decisions. Further communication will be made after the meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee."

PLAYERS AND STAFF STUCKED Shakhtar Donetsk, starting from today, will not train for the following days: Italian coach Andrea De Zerbi, alongside eight of his collaborators and his team players, are now enclosed in a hotel, without the possibility to expire elsewhere, with the Donetsk Sergey Prokofiev International Airport definitely closed, due to the critical situation. The match against FC Riga, which was previously scheduled on Saturday 19, has been cancelled alongside other matches.

Source AIPSMedia