Professional lightweight boxer Gabriel Cofie aka Apetor has been signed on by R&N Promotions.

The signing ceremony took place at Ofosua House at Jamestown on Saturday February 12, 2022.

Coaches Ransford Amugi and Nuru Omaboe of the Jamestown Boxing Club introduced the dignitaries who graced the occasion and revealed how they groom boxers from nowhere into stars.

New Manager Rev Thomas Nettey assured the boxer of maximum support and inspiration so that he realizes his dream and ambition of becoming a world champion. He urged him to be prayerful and step up in his training as there are international bouts in the pipeline.

Gabriel Cofie who is also a fashion designer and loves to be called the 'Silence Warrior' promised to win all his bouts to make his fans happy.

Fans, Friends and family including his mum, Mrs. Lilian Allotei Cofie, Mr Laud, Eric Nelson and others witnessed the ceremony.

Joshua Cofie, an uncle testified of Gabriel Cofie's dedication and discipline in and off the boxing ring.  He thanked God for the opportunity.

The new management later presented some boxing equipment to Cofie. The ceremony attracted fans of Cofie who cheered him with morale raising songs.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Oddarene Christian School (OCS), situated at Kofiniama in Dansoman have marked their Founders Day and 38th anniversary with the presentation of scholarships to some pupils.

Proprietor of the school, Rev, Kweku Addo named the recipients of scholarships as Bertha Tetteh and Deborah Adjei.

He revealed that 100 pupils have obtained scholarships and benefited from the Oddarene Fund and they will continue to support parents hoping to attract sponsorship from companies and philanthropists.   

Rev, Kweku Addo whose mother, the late Mrs. Felicia Addo founded the school said he feels glad to continue with the good work in educating Ghanaian children in an affordable Christian quality way and commended his staff for their wonderful support.

The pupils recited poems and sang the school anthem as well as Founders Day song to the admiration of parents and invited guests.

According to Rev. Addo who was Parliamentary Candidate for NDC in Ablekuma West in the last Elections, pupils of Oddarene are made to study and recite scripture very often.

Ms Portia Debrah of TV3 fame who was MC for the event also advised the pupils to obey their teachers and parents so that they become liable citizens, and be in God’s selection.

The highlight of the occasion was a Raffle Draw which some parents won prizes and cutting of the anniversary cake.

The school currently boasts of 300 pupils who are given adequate attention by their well motivated teachers.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Boxing Federation has outlined its programme for 2022 ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmimgham, UK.

Below is the full programme:

JANUARY: National Refresher Courses for Coaches and Referees – Accra

FEBRUARY: National Championship

MARCH: [a] National Championship [b] Referees, and Judges Course, Accra [venue], [c] Special Cup – H.E. The President’s Cup

APRIL: [a] Non-Resident Camping [National Team], [b] Camping of National Team, [c] Regional Tournaments – All Regions

MAY: [a] National Games, [b] Women’s World Boxing Championship – Istanbul, Turkey [6th – 21st May, 2022]

JUNE: [a] Non Resident Camping, [b] Final Grooming of AIBA Course, [c] National Team Training Tour

JULY: Training Tour – Preparation for Birmingham Common Wealth Games, [b] Common Wealth Games -UK [28th July to 8th August, 2022]

AUGUST: AIBA Referee Course-one [1] Star

2. International Boxing Day

SEPTEMBER: National Boxing League – Accra

2. National Junior Championship – Accra

OCTOBER: National Boxing League – Accra

NOVEMBER: National Boxing League – Accra

2. National Junior Championship [Male and Female] – Accra

DECEMBER: National Boxing league

2. International Technical Official Course [ITO]
3. Non Residential Camping for Junior Male and Female Teams.

Source: Ghana Boxing Federation

The Secretary General of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Lawyer Mohammed Sahnoon, has confirmed to GOC Communications that efforts are all but concluded to secure a new trainer for Ghana's sole athlete at the 2022 Bejieng Winter Olympics.

Mr Sahnoon who also doubles up as acting Chef de Maison for Team Ghana, has explained that Ghanaian skiier Carlos Maeder was without a trainer since his Austrian coach Marc Gehrig could not make it to Beijing.

"We have negotiated for a substitute physio as an immediate replacement to assist the athlete ahead of his first event at the weekend".

Ghana's Flag bearer Carlos Maeder will have trainer Timothy Allardyce with him before he competes in the Men's Giant Slalom event to open his Winter Games participation on Sunday 13th February 2022 at 10:30 local time which will be 3:30 AM in Ghana.

The GOC had to quickly put in place plan B in collaboration with Games organisers and the athlete to avoid a potential crisis.

Maeder initially trained  with assistance of the IOC technical team on the ground as the GOC engaged and concluded arrangements with Beijing 2022 as a matter of urgency in securing accreditation for the physio.

 "We are doing everything possible to ensure the athlete has a successful participation at these Games"

Ghana's Chef de Maison added that there was no cause for alarm as all the necessary processes and protocols are being followed.

GOC COMMUNICATIONS

The Sports Minister, Hon. Mustapha Ussif on Thursday received a special invitation document from USA Boxing to allow Ghanaian boxers and officials to visit the United States of America for training in preparation towards international events.

14 years old USA born Ghanaian boxer, Joseph Awinongya Jnr. and his family paid a special visit to the Sports Minister and presented to him the invitation.

He thanked all Ghanaians who welcomed him and supported his first time visit to Ghana.

He promised to hold the flag of Ghana high alongside the USA flag and promote friendship, unity and love among the two countries.

Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif promised to implement the invitation document and not leave it on the shelves at the Ministry for boxers to benefit as boxing gave the nation hope and glory at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, aside producing many professional champions.

Joseph Awinongya Snr. said he has traveled a lot, seen much in boxing in Europe and the USA, and this is the time to bring something back home to his people and believes Ghana would grab the opportunity and utilize it effectively.

Present at the short, but colorful ceremony were the Chief Director at the Ministry and executive members of the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union (GHABSU) who appealed to the Minister to offer them chance  to cheer up Ghanaian boxers when they travel outside.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has thrown support behind former International Boxing Organization (IBO) Lightweight champion Emmanuel Tagoe ahead of his final eliminator bout against Ryan Garcia, and presented him with 2,000ghc.

Tagoe (32-1, 15KO’s) meets the unbeaten American boxer who is 21-0, 18 knockouts at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 9, 2022.

“The GBA by this communique would like to cordially tell Ghanaians to remember Emmanuel Tagoe in their prayers as we countdown to 9th April, for the main event at Alamodome in San Antonio,Texas.

“On behalf of the entire Ghana boxing fraternity and the good people of Ghana, the GBA President, Abraham Kotei Neequaye expressed his profound gratitude to Peter Kahn and his team for their efforts in preparing and shaping Tagoe to become a world champion again.

“According to Kotei Neequaye, ‘Ghana Boxing Authority shall continue to pray for Tagoe, monitor his training regime and offer help in any form to him and his team. ‘Game Boy, all you need is to have the determination to stand by your insatiable desire till you realise it come April 9 ,2022,” a statement by the GBA said.

Tagoe who is number three on the WBO lightweight rankings in his last outing edged Mason Menard in a majority decision win at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Hollywood in Florida.

He said there is no pressure on him, but he will deliver to make Ghanaian happy.

The winner of the Tagoe-Garcia bout could be in line to face reigning WBA/IBF/WBO Lightweight Champion, George Kambosos Jr later in the year.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

 Lady Jay has been busy the past few months. She has been working on her new EP “Anywhere 2 Dey” and found a new partner. Kwabena Kwabena and Lady Jay first met one another 10 years ago and have been following each other's music careers from a distance. When Lady Jay started working on her new EP, an opportunity arose when she met with Kwabena Kwabena after not seeing each other for years. They started working on a remix of one of her most popular tracks titled “Odo Nana” which is his favorite track of her last EP “Anywhere you dey”. During the process they both entered a world of love and passion and created a musical masterpiece. Check out the song video of them working the new remix of “Odo Nana”

https://youtu.be/Scoe7kaQ2oY

 After working with one another, Lady Jay fell in love with Kwabena Kwabena’s process of music and connected to his passion of lyric. They are currently in the talks of performing together with a new creative aspect that no one has seen before. “Odo Nana” was originally featured on a Guiness national advertising campaign and HBO’s TV show “I May Destroy You”. Since then it has gotten a lot of international attention, and now with the addition of Ghana’s favorite love ambassador, Kwabena Kwabena, the song feels complete and is definitely going to be one of the biggest love songs of the year.

 Lady Jay is currently living between Accra and Rome and is planning to release new singles and videos in the next few months with Wahala Entertainment. After the release of “Odo Nana” ft. Kwabena Kwabena, she is releasing “Clarity” on March 11 followed by her new EP “Anywhere 2 Dey” on April 22. The EP also features Yaa Pono and Ama Nova and is said to be one of her best works to date.

Source.. Wahala Entertainment

USA born Ghanaian boxer Joseph Awinongya Jr has presented the 'King of the Jungle' title belt to Alhaji Inusah Sally, CEO of Inus Company Ltd for his support towards Ghanaian boxers and his contributions to the development and promotion of Ghana Boxing.

He was assisted by his dad Joseph Awinongya Snr a former boxer who moved from Ashaiman in Accra to Italy before stepping up to the USA. He is now a well known coach and trained the likes of Osumanu Adama to the world stage and others.

Alhaji Inusah called for more support to Ghana Boxing as the nation boasts of massive talent and boxing can break the poverty chain.

Team Awinongya also presented boxing items to various Gyms across the country.

The items were received by Mustapha Nettey, Treasurer of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF).

Present at the ceremony were Mr. Abraham Neequaye, President  of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) who expressed joy over the achievements of Awinongya Jr and said the doors of the GBA is always open to them.

Dauda Fuseini, Vice President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) also commended the Awinongya family for visiting Ghana to know their roots and being benevolent by helping others.

He urged other Ghanaian youth to emulate the examples of Joseph Awinongya Jr and give whenever they have.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Joseph “Jojo” Awinongya, the 14 years old sensational  teenage boxing super star who has travelled around the United States competing in many tournaments has reiterated that he wants to live his dream of becoming a great world champion.

Now in Ghana, the motherland for a special visit, Jojo told Yours Truly in an exclusive interview that he is very focused, and wants his dream of becoming a world boxing champion.

He picked up boxing at the age of 5 and has been watching his dad Joseph Awinongya Sr. box since he was 2 years.

Jojo is a two time USA boxing junior Olympics National champion, a two time Silver gloves National champion and a USA National Champion at this point in his carrier.

The young budding ring prospect boasts of a 8 - time National championship titles, Eastern qualifier National championship feats and has won many National championship belts.

Jojo received his National Championship belt at the most junior Olympics and has since become a hero worldwide.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana Premier League side Accra Hearts of Oak have announced Commercial Partnership Agreement with Kangen Water Ghana Limited in a deal that will serve the good interest of both parties, the club has announced.

The deal, which is worth GHC255,000 per year, is valid for the next three years.

“The management of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club is delighted to announce that the club has signed a three-year Commercial Partnership Agreement with KANGEN WATER GHANA LIMITED“, the club announced on Thursday.

As part of the agreement, the Dansoman based company, KANGEN WATER GHANA LIMITED will supply Accra Hearts of Oak packaged drinking water worth about GHS255,000 per year to the club, which will benefit the playing body, the technical team and other team officials during training, matches and official activities of the club. The deal will also afford the water producing company the opportunity to develop a range of co-branded drinking water for the market.

According to Hearts of Oak, the club’s decision to enter into such a partnership agreement with KANGEN WATER GHANA LIMITED is informed “mainly by the company’s range of Alkaline Drinking Water that has immense health benefits, as well as their commitment to fully meet the club’s water needs”.

KANGEN WATER GHANA LIMITED have, by virtue of the contract and as have been announced by Hearts of Oak, become “the Clubs Official Water Partner for the duration of this agreement”.

From Sammy Heywood Okine