New West African Bantamweight Champion, Jessie Manyo Plange aka "Black Flash" on Monday visited the office of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).

The new Champion praised President Abraham Kotei Neequaye for his support towards the Gyms and his vision to change the face of boxing in Ghana by getting more world champions.

Manyo Plange was accompanied by his local manager Ahmed Samed.

He said the world bantamweight title is his current target, and wants to meet any of the champions at WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO.

The GBA President, Mr. Abraham Kotei Neequaye said previous presidents have been able to win 10 world champions and he hopes to add more before his term is over.

He assured the boxing fraternity of transparency, accountability and opportunities for best professional boxers.

He revealed that the GBA is coming up with a programme dubbed “Black Fighters” whereby the best boxers who are world title potentials would be camped and groomed for top world championships.

According to Mr. Neequaye, he wants the government and corporate Ghana to invest and reap the proceeds and profits in boxing.

He hinted that very soon the GBA TV and website will be functioning regularly, and urged all the staff to work hard for Ghana Boxing.

Manyo Plange presented his West African Flyweight and Bantamweight title belts to the staff at the GBA office.

Mr. Patrick Johnson, General Secretary and Golden Mike Tetteh congratulated Plange and inspired him to be focused and go for the world title.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

14^th CANA African Swimming And Open Water Championship In Accra - South Africa Dominates

The 14th CANA African Swimming Championship has started at the Bukom International Pool at the Trust Sport Emporium in Accra.

Ghana is for the first time hosting the Championship in Accra at the Bukom International Pool from Monday 11th- 17th of October, 2021. 

The Honourable Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif and the President of the Ghana Olympics Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah were present for the opening ceremony. They welcomed the participants from 42 countries and hoped for a successful event.

Also in attendance is the President of African Swimming Confederation, Mr Sam Ramsamy of South Africa.

He expressed that the competition in Ghana is a dress rehearsal for the African Games in 2023.

The National Sports Authority was represented by Mr. Kwame Amponfi Jr.who commended the young swimmers from Ghana for their patriotism and determination to be among the best swimmers in Africa.

The 14th CANA African Swimming competition is taking place at the Bukom International Pool of the Trust Sports Emporium, while the Open Water Championship will be held at Akosombo.

President of the Ghana Swimming Association, Mrs Delphina Quaye said swimming is not all about winning medals, but the competition allows the competitors to perform better and fraternise with swimmers from other countries. She thanked the National Sports Authority and Ghana Olympic Committee for their support as well as Stanbic Bank and the media.

South Africa brought a large contingent of young swimmers to the 14th CANA African Championship in Accra and on the first day of competitions they are dominating the events with some challenge from Egypt.

Here are some pictures from the 14th CANA African Swimming Championship in Accra.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

MTN hopes to partner with the government of Ghana in driving digitalization and innovations in the country. The company started this with the Girls in ICT project which seeks to train 10,000 girls in ICT in the next 3 years.

Mr. Felix Addo, a board member of MTN who was addressing golfers at the Bok Nam Kin club at the Air Force Mess after the 2021 Invitational  Golf Tournament said the company is supporting the social development of the country.

He said the mega promo which was launched to reward customers with 25 brand new Hyundai Sonata cars is on-going on, and urged all customers to ensure that their sim cards are duly registered.

He expressed that after 25 years of introducing the GSM Technology in Ghana, the company is working to accelerate its growth and digitalization in accordance with the company’s Ambition 2025.

To demonstrate MTN commitment to the growth of this country, the company promised to continue to make significant investments into the network to ensure optimum performance and a distinct customer experience.

Mr. Eric Ofosuhene and Madam Leticia Amponsah Mensah won in the Men’s category A and Ladies respectively at the final MTN 2021 Invitational Golf Tournament.

The event which saw a total of 88 participants was one of the keenly contested with Mrs Helen Appiah winning the prize for closest to the pin in the female category while  Dr. Ernest Asimenu took the Men's Nearest To The Pin, and the  Longest Drive  Men went to Augustine' Menaseh. The Longest Drive Ladies prize was taken by Madam Mercy Werner.

The Men’s Category B head liners were third placed Michael Agbodja, Justice Martey in second and Victor Sarpong, the winner.

The Men's category A results were  3 Air Commodore Nana Kweku 2. Peter Ntiamoah Mensah 1 Eric Ofosuhene

The Ladies second runner up went to Elizabeth Essel Koomson, first runner up to Marlene Tonyegah and Leticia Amponsah Mensah was declared winner.

Mr. Felix Addo congratulated all the winners of the tournament for demonstrating resilience and tenacity.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Sam Ramsamy, President of African Swimming Confederation from South Africa is in Ghana for the 14th continental championship.

He was welcomed at the airport by the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of Ghana Swimming Association, Mrs. Delphina Quaye  Mrs. Helena Williams and Miss Farida Idriss (Treasurer), and some executive members of the Ghana Swimming Association.

Mr. Ramsamy prayed for a successful event which should be a dress rehearsal for the African Games to be held in Ghana in 2023.

He commended the Ghana Swimming Association for deciding to host the championship for the first time after the successful hosting of the junior championship.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah promised that Ghana will host one of the best competitions, and was convinced that Ghanaian swimmers will shine and win medals.

He called on people living in James Town, Korle Gonno, Mamprobi and Chorkor to patronize the event and appealed to parents to allow their children to learn how to swim.

Mrs Delphina Quaye commended the nations who have made it to Ghana, and prayed that the will enjoy the hospitality.

Miss Farida Iddriss said in spite of challenges in getting sponsors, they will organize one of the best competitions. She called on the media to support swimming.

The 14th African Swimming Championship comes up at the Trust Sport Emporium in Accra from October 11 to 17, 2021.

Over 30 countries are expected to participate, and Ghana's young swimmers led by Abeiku Jackson who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are sure of robbing shoulders with the best in Africa, especially swimmers from South Africa, Egypt and Algeria.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Eric Ofosuhene and Madam Leticia Amponsah Mensah were the happiest people to leave the Bok Nam Kin golf course at the Air Force Officers Mess on Saturday after the final MTN 2021 Invitational Golf Tournament. .

After tough competition from a total of 88 participants, they led the collection of prizes.

Mrs Helen Appiah won the prize for closesest to the pin in the female category while  Dr. Ernest Asimenu took the Men's Nearest To The Pin, and the  Longest Drive  Men  went to Augustine' Menaseh.

The Longest Drive Ladies prize was taken by Madam Mercy Werner.

The Mens category B. head liners were 3. Michael Agbodja, 2 Justice Martey and Victor Sarpong as the winner.

The Men's category A results were  3 Air Commodore Nana Kweku 2. Peter Ntiamoah Mensah 1 Eric Ofosuhene

The Ladies who received trophies for their hard work were second runner up Elizabeth Essel Koomson, first runner up Marlene Tonyegah and winner Leticia Amponsah Mensah.

Mr. Felix Addo, Board Member of MTN Ghana in a speech said it was a great delight to meet and interact with golfers after the last engagement at the Royal Golf Club to celebrate MTN’s 25th anniversary with the people of the Ashanti region.

He expressed excitement playing at Bok Nam Kim Golf Club for the first time, and commended all participants at the MTN Invitational Golf Tournament which has proven to be a worthy opportunity for networking and providing leads for business expansion.

“We started this year at Achimota, we went to Kumasi as indicated earlier and we couldn’t resist the invitation when BoK Nam Kim called on us to play here.  We have the opportunity to interact with another segment of our subscriber base from the Military. We are very confident that this is the beginning of a lasting relationship between MTN and Bok Nam Kim” he said.

He reminded guests that MTN Ghana is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. After 25 years of introducing the GSM Technology in Ghana, the company is working to accelerate its growth and digitalization in accordance with the company’s Ambition 2025.

To demonstrate MTN commitment to the growth of this country, the company promised to continue to make significant investments into the network to ensure optimum performance and a distinct customer experience.

MTN also hope to partner with government in driving digitalization and innovations in the country. MTN started this with the Girls in ICT project which seeks to train 10,000 girls in ICT in the next 3 years.

MTN is supporting the social development of the country as well. The mega promo which was launched to reward customers with 25 brand new Hyundai Sonata cars is on-going.

He  urged all customers to ensure that their sim cards are duly registered.

Mr. Felix Addo congratulated all the winners of the tournament for demonstrating resilience and tenacity.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

A bull adorned with a patchwork of multi-coloured hexagons called Perry has been revealed as the official mascot of next year's Commonwealth Games.

The mascot is based upon the design of 10-year-old Emma Lou, winner of a national design competition that took place last summer.

Former General Manager of Wa All Stars, now Legon Cities FC, Seth Panwum has been appointed Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority (NSA).

Seth Panwum, who served as a member of the Kwadwo Baah Agyemang led board at the NSA between 2017 and 2020, has been elevated to chair the board of the sports authority for the next four years.

The technical advisor to the Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, will be joined by 14 others on the board including Naa Odofoley Nortey, a former member of the now-defunct Normalisation Committee of the Ghana FA. He has about 25 years of experience as a sports administrator.

Other members of the board include the director-general of the NSA, Professor Peter Twumasi, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Ben Nunoo Mensah, and Samson Deen of the National Paralympic Committee.

The Security Services Sports Association and Tertiary institutions will be represented on the board by Col. Frank Kwesi Agyeman and Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai respectively.

Full membership of the board:

Seth Panwun – Chairman of the Board

Professor Peter Twumasi – Director-General of the National Sports Authority.

Noah Bagerbaseh Bukari – Director of the National Sports College, Winneba

Eric Mensah Bonsu – Ministry of Youth and Sports

Gladys Mamtee Osabutey – Ministry of Finance

Eric Nkansah – Ministry of Education

Col. Frank Kwesi Agyeman – Security Services Sports Association

Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai – Tertiary institutions

Samson Deen – President, National Paralympic Committee

Ben Nunoo Mensah – President, Ghana Olympic Committee

Stanley Blankson Jnr – Minister’s nominee

Emmanuel Tuffour – Minister’s nominee

Nana Yaw Sarkodie Aboagye – President’s nominee

Naa Odofoley Nortey QCL – President’s nominee

Johnso Kwaku Adu – President’s nominee.

A letter signed by Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Opare on October 4, 2021, tasked the Ministry of Youth and Sports to swear in the members into office.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Mrs. Ekua Zara Awonana Ghartey-Tsagli who has been appointed Ambassador of the Women’s 5K Run which takes place in Accra has expressed her joy to be part of the programme and just waiting for October 30, 2021 to run to promote healthy living.

She has promised to make a donation towards the charity of Activly Sports’ event which is to improve upon the mental and maternal wellbeing of Ghanaian women.

She believes in making a meaningful impact in society through charities and advocacy for women empowerment and girl child education.

Her Philanthropic activities has been recognized and led her to winning a prestigious award,- the Millenium Excellence Award.

Women’s maternity and mental health is very close to her heart, so she was elated when invited, and feels really honoured to be part of the 2021 Women’s 5K Run.

She has supported and sponsored many charitable courses over the years and she hopes to add sports to her profile which include leisure activities.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Idrowhyt Events Centre at Akokofoto, Dansoman is ready to host the Big fight night on Saturday October 9, 2021.

Boxers on the bill weighed in today and it was exciting to see how some were bragging and boasting. However, the ring will decide.

Below are the parings:

1. EMMANUEL QUAYE vrs BOATENG AGYEMANG

National Middleweight Championship (12 Rounds)

2. MANYO PLANGE vrs ISAAC OWUSU

West Africa Bantamweight (WABU) Championship (10 Rounds)

3. PATRICK ALOTEY vrs BEN ANKRAH

Super Welterweight (10 Rounds)

4. MUBARAK-ABUBAKAR vrs ABDUL KARIM CHARLES

Middleweight Contest (8 Rounds)

5. LESKO SOSSIYA vrs KWAKU AVOGAH

Light Middleweight Contest (8 Rounds)

6. PHILIP NGWA vrs JOSEPH QUARCOO

Lightweight Contest (6 Rounds)

7. FELIX NUNOO vrs GODWIN KOFI APPIAH

Super Lightweight Contest (6 Rounds)

8. EMMANUEL QUARTEY vrs PROSPER QUAYE

Super Lightweight Contest (6 Rounds)

9. MOHAMMED ARYEETEY vrs THOMAS QUANSAH

Flyweight Contest (6 Rounds)

10. ISAAC ARYEETEY vrs BENJAMIN SACKEY

Flyweight Contest (6 Rounds)

By Sammy Heywood Okine

294-day route and innovative Baton design for the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay revealed

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has unveiled details of the international route and the design of the Queen’s Baton for the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay. 

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will arrive in GHANA on Monday 25th October 2021, spending 2 days exploring the culture and community.

The Relay begins on 7 October 2021 at Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will place Her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton. The Baton then takes on an incredible 294-day journey through all nations and territories of the Commonwealth, arriving back in England in July 2022.

The Baton will travel an epic international route, spanning an impressive 269 days, spending between two and four days in each nation or territory, covering approximately 90,000 miles (140,000 kilometres), having over 7,500 Baton bearers trusted with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carry the Baton.

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth yet will travel almost half the distance than the previous Gold Coast Queen’s Baton Relay in a bid to reduce the carbon footprint.

Over the course of the Relay, the Baton is set to spend Christmas Eve in the Seychelles, will bring in the New Year in the Maldives and plans to be in Jamaica over the Easter weekend.

Before arriving in GHANA, the Baton will have just visited SIERRA LEONE. After departing GHANA, the Baton will make its way to CAMEROON.

During each visit, nations and territories will host events and activities that showcase untold stories from Baton bearers, athletes, and young people who are striving for change in their community, as well as showcasing a project that addresses at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The global journey will conclude at the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony where the final Baton bearer will return the Baton to Her Majesty The Queen.

The President of Commonwealth Games Association of Ghana, Ben Nunoo Mensah said: “[The baton and its unique message strongly signifies the unity and diversity of the commonwealth nations and territories. This is an opportunity for many untold stories that carry weights and are overwhelming]”

The Baton

The Baton was conceived in an innovative West Midlands collaboration that fuses art, technology, and science. Product designers and engineers Raymont-Osman Product Design, design and development specialists Kajul, and artist Laura Nyahuye from MAOKWO each injected their creativity and expertise into the Baton. The technology within the Baton is the work of BOM (Birmingham Open Media), a leading centre for art, technology and science in central Birmingham, dedicated to ‘creative innovation with purpose’.

The Baton champions the individuality in humanity and celebrates bringing people together. It embodies the idea that every individual has distinctive lived experiences that are threaded together and woven into a collective tapestry of cultures. The Baton form is entwined with unique components and displays connectivity to represent the power of collaboration.

The Baton’s form

The shape of the Baton moves away from the traditional shape seen in previous editions of The Queen’s Baton. With Birmingham 2022 making history by being the first major multi-sport event to award more medals to women than men, the strength and fortitude of women across the Commonwealth is celebrated throughout the design of the Baton.

Lining the length of the Baton is a platinum strand, paying homage to The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year, as well as celebrating her role as the Head of the Commonwealth.

To represent the bronze, silver and gold medals that athletes will be competing for, the Baton has been cast using accessible, non-precious metals of copper, aluminium and brass. By using aluminium forged using the traditional method of lost wax casting in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, the Baton has used the centuries of local expertise and craftsmanship that gives Birmingham its reputation as the city of a thousand trades.

The Baton’s design

Etched onto a steel plaque on the top of the Baton is the Birmingham 2022 logo, a distinctive ‘B’ shape which is a visual representation of communities across the West Midlands. The mechanised chamber sitting beneath the brass leaf plaque will be opened at the Birmingham 2022 opening ceremony to reveal The Queen’s message.

The Commonwealth Games Federation logo is also visible on the Baton, an emblem that reflects the key values of humanity, equality and destiny.

As the Baton travels on its journey and tells stories from communities, the warm copper tones of the Baton will develop a mesmerising patina, a blue-green film that forms on the material after exposure, demonstrating how it will evolve in appearance as it is passed from Baton bearer to Baton bearer.

The Baton’s technology 

Enhanced with cutting-edge technologies, the Baton will capture data and stories from across the Commonwealth, shining a spotlight on grassroots innovation and celebrating the people driving change within their communities. The Baton features LED lighting and a heartrate sensor that display the heartbeats of Baton bearers. The lighting also changes when two people grip the Baton during handover, celebrating collaboration and the sharing of wisdom between young and old. In a time where human contact has been limited, the Baton addresses how connections matter more than ever.

As well as an illuminated heartbeat, the Baton also has ‘lungs’, consisting of atmospheric sensors with laser technology that analyses the environmental conditions wherever it is in the world. Augmented Reality (AR) will be used to creatively visualise the data captured throughout the journey to invite more awareness of and conversations around air quality across the Commonwealth. The data will contribute to the ongoing research projects being conducted by atmospheric scientist Professor Francis Pope and his team at the University of Birmingham.

Fitted with a 360-degree camera, the Baton also has ‘eyes’, and a ‘brain’ which records and transmits imagery and digital information, allowing stories from Commonwealth communities to be told. GPS technology allows the Baton to be tracked on its travels.

The team of creators were photographed with the Baton on the balcony of the offices of PwC, the Official Supplier of Professional Advisory Services for Birmingham 2022, which overlooks the iconic Birmingham landmarks of Centenary Square and the Library of Birmingham.

Martin Green, Chief Creative Officer at Birmingham 2022, said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is a special tradition for the Games and a fantastic opportunity to connect the Commonwealth as we countdown to Birmingham 2022. Unveiling the Baton and its international journey is an exciting milestone for us, as we’re just days away from the official launch of the Relay.

“The Baton is the stunning result of art, traditional craftmanship and innovative technology, all designed and made right here in the West Midlands, and I can’t wait to see it embark on its epic journey where thousands of Baton bearers will interact with it. It will be visiting some wonderful places before arriving back here in Birmingham for the Opening Ceremony on 28 July 2022.”

Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is one of the most special aspects of the Commonwealth Games as it so vividly symbolises the friendship, respect and unity across our 72 nations and territories.

“When Her Majesty The Queen places Her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton at Buckingham Palace next week, it will start a spectacular 294-day journey that will begin the final countdown to the Opening Ceremony.

“I know that communities across the Commonwealth will be so excited to see the Baton as it passes through their own villages, towns and cities.

“I hope that as many Commonwealth citizens as possible can be part of the Relay so that they can experience the true magic of the Commonwealth Games.”

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will see 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories taking part in 11 days of spectacular sport, from 28 July – 8 August 2022.

For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit birmingham2022.com/QBR

Full schedule of the Queen’s Baton Relay international route:

Nation / Territory  Arrival date

1. Cyprus 9 October 2021
2. Malta 12 October 2021
3. Nigeria 16 October 2021
4. The Gambia 20 October 2021
5. Sierra Leone 23 October 2021
6. Ghana 26 October 2021
7. Cameroon 29 October 2021
8. Kenya 2 November 2021
9. Uganda 5 November 2021
10. Rwanda 10 November 2021
11. Tanzania 13 November 2021
12. Malawi 17 November 2021
13. Zambia 20 November 2021
14. Mozambique 23 November 2021
15. Mauritius 27 November 2021
16. Botswana 30 November 2021
17. St. Helena 5 December 2021
18. South Africa 8 December 2021
19. Namibia 14 December 2021
20. Eswatini 17 December 2021
21. Lesotho 20 December 2021
22. Seychelles 23 December 2021
23. Pakistan 27 December 2021
24. Maldives 1 January 2022
25. Sri Lanka 4 January 2022
26. Bangladesh 7 January 2022
27. India 12 January 2022
28. Singapore 17 January 2022
29. Malaysia 22 January 2022
30. Brunei 26 January 2022
31. Papua New Guinea 30 January 2022
32. Solomon Islands 2 February 2022
33. Nauru 5 February 2022
34. Fiji 13 February 2022
35. Samoa 16 February 2022
36. Tonga 19 February 2022
37. Vanuatu 22 February 2022
38. Kiribati 25 February 2022
39. Tuvalu 28 February 2022
40. Niue 3 March 2022
41. Cook Islands 6 March 2022
42. Norfolk Island 9 March 2022
43. New Zealand 12 March 2022
44. Australia 17 March 2022
45. Belize 23 March 2022
46. Guyana 26 March 2022
47. Grenada 30 March 2022
48. The Bahamas 3 April 2022
49. Turks & Caicos 7 April 2022
50. Cayman Islands 12 April 2022
51. Jamaica 15 April 2022
52. Trinidad & Tobago 19 April 2022
53. Barbados 23 April 2022
54. Montserrat 26 April 2022
55. Dominica 29 April 2022
56. British Virgin Islands 3 May 2022
57. St. Kitts & Nevis 6 May 2022
58. Anguilla 9 May 2022
59. Antigua & Barbuda 13 May 2022
60. St. Lucia 16 May 2022
61. St. Vincent & The Grenadines 19 May 2022
62. Bermuda 22 May 2022
63. Canada 26 May 2022
64. Gibraltar 31 May 2022
65. Falkland Islands 7 June 2022
66. Jersey 10 June 2022
67. Guernsey 13 June 2022
68. Isle of Man 16 June 2022
69. Scotland 18 June 2022
70. Northern Ireland 24 June 2022
71. Wales 29 June 2022
72. England 4 July 2022

About the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.

Birmingham 2022 is staging the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – an epic journey across the Commonwealth, with The Queen’s Baton visiting all 72 nations and territories, reaching Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas.

The Relay will begin on 7 October 2021 at a special event at Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will place Her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.

The Baton will travel for 294 days, visiting all 72 nations and territories and connecting communities in every corner of the Commonwealth, embracing unique cultures and sharing stories.

This collective journey will ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration for the next generation, with these stories leaving us all inspired to take on the challenges that matter most to us.

For more information, visit birmingham2022.com/qbr

About the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games  

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held from 28 July until 8 August 2022, will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to put the city, the region, and its people on the global stage.     

The Games is already proving to be a catalyst for transformation across the West Midlands, attracting new investment and funding, creating jobs and apprenticeships for local people and new opportunities for local businesses, as well as accelerating projects that will ensure the region is ready to host a fantastic sports and cultural celebration.     

Birmingham 2022 will be the Games for everyone, bringing people together from across Birmingham and the region, to provide a warm welcome to millions of visitors during the summer of 2022.   

Find out more at www.birmingham2022.com