Mr. Andrews Parsons, the President of the the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has conferred with the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo and the Minister of youth and sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif on the possibility of Ghana hosting the African Para Games alongside the African Games in 2023.

He was accompanies by Mr. Samson Deen, the President of the African Paralympic Committee (APC) who was happy with the promise and assurance from Nana Akufo Addo on the possibility of Ghana hosting the first African Paralympic Games in 2023.

Mr. Samson Deen appealed to the media to help make the African Games for Para athletes in 2023 blossom . The General Secretary of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana, Mr. Peter Adjei was present as well as Mr Elletey.

This year is going to be a special year for new athletes who have been discovered to take Ghana by storm in the Para Sports in Ghana.

The Minister of Youth and Sports , Hon Mustapha Ussif welcomed the IPC President Mr. Andrews Parsons and the African Paralympic Committee President, Mr. Samson Deen to his office before the fruitful discussion with the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo.

Hon. Mustapha Ussif stressed on the need to help Para Sports to gain recognition by holding major sporting events here in Ghana .

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Newly crowned Ghana Heavyweight Champion, Osumanu Haruna with a fight record of 15 fights, 13 wins (8KOs), and 2loses has called out world champions, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury for a showdown.

The 41 year old boxer with a big heart and a big punch told Yours Truly in a exclusive interview at the New Fadama Gym that he is ready to face the best of the world.

According to Haruna also known as ‘Saabo’, he has come very far in boxing and has learnt a lot.

He noted that he will just demolish African boxers, but his main target is the world’s big boys in the game.

“As for the African boxers, they are no match for me, I want to face Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury” he said.

He thanked his manager, Mohammed Abdul Samadu for his love and caring nature which has shot him into the limelight after defeating Nii Ofei Dodoo at the Idrowhyt Events Center to clinch the Ghana National title belt.

Osumanu Haruna said meeting the National Chief Imam to bless him has also motivated and inspired him to take his training to a championship level and be focused on the business of boxing.

He advised the youth not to give up if the aim at achieving something positive in life.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

MTN Ghana has announced a review of its data prices for its Fixed Broadband services (Fibre Broadband and TurboNet) users effective January 4th, 2022.

This has been necessitated by the need to align with market rates. In this regard:

• Customers will enjoy 50% bonus for the first 3 months (January – March 2022) on every data purchase.
• 25% on the next 3 months (April -June 2022) purchases.
• Unused data after 90-day expiry can also be rolled over on purchase within three days after the date of expiry.
• Customers’ existing data will not be affected by this change, any new data purchased will be added to the accumulated data.

“We have introduced 50% bonus on every purchase to reward our customers for their loyalty and allow customers to enjoy extended periods online to share files, watch movies, do their online trade and stay connected with friends and loved ones”, Mr. Sam Addo, the Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Ghana said.

Launched in 2016 to provide high speed Internet broadband services for the home, small offices and medium enterprises, MTN fixed broadband service allows users to enjoy super-fast connectivity and seamless streaming on the internet. Customers also enjoy Value Added Services such as video on demand, IPTV, Voice and Video Calls, Games and many more.

Following the demand for simplified set up for Fixed Broadband services, MTN introduced the TurboNet, which is a plug and play super high-speed 4G internet routers in 2019. It comes with a high-powered external antenna and data SIM that enables it to deliver fast internet in MTN 4G locations. It also provides instant high-speed internet for up to 32 users with pre-paid data bundles.

MTN FBB and Turbonet work for every home and business that needs a reliable and simple/plug and play internet. Once registered customers can manage their services via a linked number on either USSD (*5057#/*170#) or web portal which are delivered seamlessly to enhance customer’s experience. 

Visit https://mtn.com.gh/service/turbonet/ and https://mtn.com.gh/service/fibre-broadband/ for further information on the price reviews

Source MTN

Stadiums at this month's Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon will have their capacity capped at 80 per cent for the host's matches due to the coronavirus pandemic, the African Football Federation said Tuesday.

Other fixtures in the competition starting on January 9 and finishing on February 6 will only be played in front of 60 per cent of the ground's capacity.

Sunday's opening match between Cameroon and Burkina Faso will be played at the 60 000-seater Olembe Stadium in Yaounde.

"After many consultations with the Cameroonian government, in light of the evolution of the health crisis and the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Afcon and the local organising committee have agreed an upper limit of between 60 per cent-80 per cent for the capacity of stadiums in the Africa Cup of Nations," CAF (African Football Federation) said.

Strict coronavirus regulations have already been put in place for the tournament, postponed from last year due to the virus.

Spectators must be vaccinated and present a negative test before being granted entry into matches.

Many sides have been impacted by infections, including Nigeria who will be without Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Gambia who have had to pull out of two pre-Afcon (African Cup of Nations) friendlies.

By SuperSports

President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew George William Parsons, will call on Ghana President, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo on 5th January 2022 at the Jubilee House.

Andrew Parsons, who is embarking on a four-day official visit to Ghana, will also hold meetings with key stakeholders in Ghana Sports, and chiefly hold discussions with the Minister of Sports, Hon Ussif Mustapha.

The meeting with Ghanaian Sports Authorities will center on how the IPC can collaborate with Ghana government to further enhance Ghana's enviable role in global Paralympic sports.

Source - Communication Bureau African Paralympic Committee

Milovan Rajevac on Tuesday almost had the full complement of his team ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon].

Thomas Partey, Baba Iddrisu, Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew, Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey and Jojo Wollacott of Swindon Town have arrived in Ghana’s camping centre in Doha, Qatar.

With the arrival of the five players at the Aspire Academy grounds, the number of players in camp increases from fourteen to nineteen.

However, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Kudus Mohammed are yet to team up with the team.

Richard Attah, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Alexander Djiku, Mubarak Wakaso, David Abagna, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Maxwell Abbey Quaye, Jonathan Mensah, Joseph Paintsil and Benjamin Tetteh were the nine players to kick-start the preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations with Coach Milovan Rajevac.

The likes of Manaf Nurudeen and Edmund Addo joined later before the announcement of Milovan Rajevac’s final 28-man squad.

The Black Stars of Ghana will play a test game against Algeria today, January 5, 2022, at the Education City stadium in Doha, Qatar as part of preparation plans ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Cameroon from January 9, 2022, to February 6, 2022.

The Black Stars Ghana will open their campaign against Morocco on January 10, 2022, before taking on Gabon and Comoros in Group C.

MTN Ghana has today announced the re-opening of its Service Centers across the country. The Ashaiman, Accra Mall, East Legon (Accra) and Nhyieso (Kumasi) offices however remain closed until further notice.

Commenting on the re-opening of the Service Centers, the Chief Customer Relations Officer of MTN, Mrs Jemima Kotei Walsh expressed her appreciation to all customers for heeding the call to use the digital channels during the Service Centre closures. She  wished Customers  a Happy New Year and cautioned  that since the Covid -19 pandemic is still prevailing, MTN will continue to ensure strict adherence to the health and safety protocols to safeguard  customers and staff at the Service Centres.

MTN will however continue to serve customers who contact them on its enhanced digital channels via Twitter: @MTNGhana or @AskMTNGhana; Facebook: MTNGhana WhatsApp:0554300000 or call 100.

In addition to these channels, field teams made up of retail vendors and MoMo agents across the country will be operating and will provide additional support.

To avoid congestion at the MTN Service Centers customers are advised to visit any of these registration points: MTN Connect Stores, Distributor Branches, Light Retail Stores (Volume Management) or MTN Agents’ touchpoints for Sim Registration.

Customers are encouraged to be vigilant and not entertain any calls purporting to be from any of MTN's offices to provide any assistance. When in doubt, call 100.

MTN Ghana encourages everyone to continue to observe the Covid-19 protocols outlined by the Ghana Health Service.

About MTN Ghana

MTN Ghana is the market leader in the mobile telecommunications industry in Ghana, offering subscribers a range of exciting options under Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go Services and Mobile Financial Services. The company has committed itself to delivering reliable and innovative services that provide value for subscribers in Ghana’s telecommunications market. Since its entry into Ghana in 2006, MTN has continuously invested in expanding and modernizing its network in order to offer superior services to a broad expanse of the nation.

Egypt is aiming to become the first African nation to stage the Olympic Games ©Getty Images

Egyptian Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi has revealed the country plans to bid for the 2036 Olympics and will seek to become the first African nation to stage the Games.

Sobhi told Sky News Arabia that Egypt was set to throw its hat into the ring by submitting a formal application to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Egyptian official confirmed that authorities were "currently working on preparing a comprehensive file in this regard to be submitted along with the proposed request" to the IOC.

IOC President Thomas Bach has previously spoken of his determination to see African nations bid to host the Games as it remains the only populated continent not to have hosted an Olympics.

Sobhi said he had held a recent meeting with Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa President Mustapha Berraf, claiming that Berraf "confirmed the union's keenness and support for Egypt to host the Olympic Games scheduled for 2036".

Work is currently underway to build a multi-million-dollar sports complex, called the Egypt International Olympic City, in the new administrative capital, located 45 kilometres east of Cairo.

Egyptian Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi has announced the country's plan to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games ©Getty Images

The project is expected to feature a 90,000-seat stadium, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts and an indoor venue.

Sobhi believes the new development will boost Egypt's ambition but admitted that officials will still be assessing technical, logistical and financial aspects before submitting an official request to the IOC, according to Sky News Arabia.

As well as Egypt, officials in India, Russia, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine have all expressed an interest in bidding for the 2036 Olympic Games.

Cape Town in South Africa was the last African city to bid for the Olympics as it lost out to Greek capital Athens for the 2004 Games, finishing third out of five bidders in the poll in 1997.

South Africa has also been previously mooted as a possible host for the Olympics in 2024 and 2028 but no bid was tabled.

Senegal is set to become the first African country to stage the Youth Olympic Games when Dakar plays host in 2026.

The Games were postponed by four years from 2022 because of the coronavirus-enforced delay of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to 2021.

Senegal is due to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2026 and IOC President Thomas Bach wants to see the Olympics head to Africa as well ©Getty Images

Speaking to young reporters representing the International Sports Press Association in November, Bach spoke of the importance of the Olympics being staged in Africa in the future.

"At the beginning of my term [in 2013], I had a dream that the Olympic games would be hosted in Africa in my tenure but it is not going to be possible, unfortunately," said Bach, as reported by the Nigerian newspaper Premium Times.

"I hope that by 2036 or 2040 - which would be when I am out of office - an African country will enter into dialogue with the IOC to organise the Olympic Games.

"It is really important to see the games in Africa, but the ball at the moment is in the court of the African countries."

Egypt has participated in 23 Summer Olympic Games since making its debut at Stockholm 1912, winning eight gold, 11 silver and 19 bronze medals.

The nation boycotted the Games in 1932 and 1980.

The 2036 Olympics is set to be the second edition of the Summer Games awarded under the IOC's revived process whereby the Future Host Commission engages in targeted dialogue with selected countries.

For the 2032 Games, it recommended Brisbane be installed as preferred host, which it was by the Executive Board, before it was confirmed as host by the IOC Session.

Brisbane was the only potential host put forward to the Session.

By Geoff Berkeley 

Three national boxing champions from the Zongo community in Ghana have presented their titles to the Chief imam, Alhaji Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu at his residence at New Fadama in Accra on Monday.

Heavyweight Osumanu Haruna Middleweight Mubarak Abubakar and Light Flyweight Joseph Akai Nettey led by their manager, Mohammed Abdul Samed were accompanied by the Ghana Boxing Authority President Abraham Kotei Neequaye and executive member Alhaji Toffic who is also president of the West African Boxing Union.

The National Chief Imam blessed the boxers and advised them to train hard and defend their titles for a long time by being disciplined and dedicated to the sport.

Ghana Heavyweight champion Haruna aka Saabo gave a rendition of his Muslim music to the admiration of all present.

Alhaji Khuzaima Osman, special assistant to the National Chief Imam hailed the trio for making history for Muslims and urged other youth in the Zongos to emulate their achievements.

Alhaji Toffic commended the boxers and informed that he has been in boxing for over 40 years years and this is the first time that Zongo Community boxers have made him proud by becoming national champions.

The Ghana Boxing Authority President, Abraham Neequaye said boxing is still the number one sport because Ghana has produced 11 world champions including the new Royal Boxing Organization RBO Champion, Akai Nettey.

He appealed to the Chief Imam and businesses in the Zongo Community to support boxing in Ghana.

Mohammed Abdul Samed, manager of the boxers expressed his joy, and hinted that this is the beginning as there is more to come. He revealed that his target is the big titles especially the world titles. He thanked all Zongo people for the massive support.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Education City stadium in Doha – Qatar will host Ghana’s Pre-AFCON friendly against African Champions Algeria on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

The two African giants will test their strength against each other in preparation for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off in Cameroon on Sunday, January 9, 2022.

The stadium is located within several university campuses at the Qatar Foundation’s Education City. Following the FIFA World Cup, the stadium will retain 25,000 seats for use by university athletic teams. This multi-purpose sports facility hosted its first official match on September 3, 2020 in the 2020-21 Qatar Stars League season.

Algeria who won the FIFA Arab Cup two weeks ago are housed in Group E with Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea and Cote D’Ivoire.

The Black Stars Ghana will open her campaign against Morocco on Monday, January 10, 2022 before taking on Gabon and Comoros in Group C.

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