Renowned sports administrator and President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union, Herbert Mensah urged delegates for the Ghana Olympic Committee elections to vote for the right people to lead the federation.

The Ghana Olympic Committee went to the polls on March 15, 2021 to elect new leaders for the next mandated term.

Herbert Mensah, Chairman of the Communications Committee who was expected to contest for a position in the elections believes serving on the Board of the Ghana Olympic Committee comes with obligations hence leaders must be devoted.

” The issue is very clear here, we have a divided GOC, we have two fashions in the same political party varying for positions , I served on a board which was disfunctional, because today those who are standing are all aligned in one section against another section, most of them who are standing now, Richard Akapovie, Mawuku, Charles, Evans, Rev Quarcooe, all served on the previous Board and now I see them actually standing again.”

” I don’t know if whether they were against the things that were going on before but maybe that is the reason the Board never function the way it should have which is what makes this elections so momentous and significant..

He continued that , “Ben [Ben Nunoo] decided later in the day to stand again ,he wasn’t decided as at last year , whether to stand or not. I have been preview to speak to people on both side to hear what it is they propose…. I have one message for both of them, Sports is a vacation that everybody has an opinion, I learned that from my days at Kumasi Asante Kotoko and other sporting endeavors I have been involved in different parts of the world, everybody has an opinion”

” And I have always try to say to people to understand that you are not a fan or a Journalist, both of them have very important opinions , but the issue of running sports is quite different issue here, because it ultimately about money, sports is a big business and your ability to connect with capital, with government, and with decision makers is critical if you are going to fell the dreams of all those involved and I say despite the fact of the background of both groups in different ways, you should find ways to connect with the government and us very important to those involved in both side.

” Secondly am massively excited about the inclusion of football, my young prodigy at one point, Fred Acheampong is on board , Kurt Okraku and GFA have come on board to help the GOC, I think that hugely important.

” We understand that the politics of sports is football and for them to understand that there are many other sports and can be working together is important for the GOC,

” Am sorry for those who are standing against Fred Acheampong, but naturally our vote at Ghana Rugby will be going in that direction..

” We really going to look at that, there are been alot of pluses and minors but at the end of the day, those are the two big factors I look at , to be elected into the Board of the GOC and not to be able to contribute anything apart from common sense makes no sense to me, to be involved in fashions that says you were part of something therefore I don’t want to talk to you, again makes no sense, the leadership of the GOC needs to come in all block, there is no point in Richard becoming President and the other executive coming from other camps, there is no point in Ben retaining the Presidency and not having the Administrative control of the GOC, that is the hard reality..

There maybe some we prefer others that we don’t, but we got to look at that at well, to vote just randomly in different ways may lead to a board we have now, where the likes of Richard, Mawuku, Charles Osei Asibey, Evans,Rev Quarcooe did not necessary back the President of the day and us very important that those who are involved now are all on the same page, can have a connectivity with government and football to see an injection of capital into the sports otherwise it is just another one of those elections where people want to get elected, vote wisely, that is critical.”

By Stephen Kwame Yeboah

The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana (NPC-Ghana) will sign an agreement with the Inawashiro Township that will host the Paralympic Team from Ghana in a Pre-games training camp from July to August 2021 before Team Ghana moves to the official games village for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

According to Peter Adjei, Secretary General of the NPC, the signing ceremony will be held on Friday at the NPC- Ghana’s President office at North Ridge in Accra.

 He said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things and thus, has necessitated that the Agreement Signing Ceremony be done online.

Participants at this ceremony will include officers of the National Paralympic Committee NPC of Ghana, representatives of the Ghana Embassy in Japan headed by His Excellency Frank Okyere Ambassador of Ghana to Japan and the Office of the Mayor of Inawashiro Town in Japan.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Boxinghana,com, a leading portal dedicated to boxing has congratulated re – elected president of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah,

Editor in chief, Sammy Ofosuhene predicted that the incumbent will win together with the Green Team and they did it in style.

Sammy Heywood Okine, Associate Editor said the victory by Ben Nunoo Mensah proves that the delegates want the nation to move forward.

He expressed that the victory must be climaxed with a medal at the Olympic Games, and he tips boxing to bring honour to the nation again.

Dennis Moore, a member of the editorial board of Boxingghana.com who was active in the campaign heralding the  elections said the federations know what is best for them that is wby they voted massively for the entire team.

Vim Ghana Foundation have also congratulated the GOC President and promised to support the Olympic Team.

By Elizabeth Alhassan

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has sent its congratulations Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah following his re-election as President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

Mr. Nunoo for retained his position to lead the GOC for another 4 years, beating his contender Richard Akpokavie by 7 votes.

Ben Nunoo Mensah garnered 35 votes whilst Akpokavie had 28 votes.

"The outcome of the election is a clear demonstration of the level of confidence delegates have in you and a recognition of what you have achieved in the last four years," the SWAG in a statement.

Read full below

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) wish to congratulate Mr. Ben Nunoo for retaining his position as the President of the Ghana Olympic Commitee (GOC).

The outcome of the election is a clear demonstration of the level of confidence delegates have in you and a recognition of what you have achieved in the last four year

SWAG has no doubt that you will put into action effective plans and policies that will see to the overall development of sports in Ghana.

With the 2023 Africa Games in sight, SWAG is confident that you will mobilise a united sports front to support the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the government of Ghana to deliver an excellent continental showpiece.

We also wish to congratulate other members of your team who also recorded resounding victories in their respective executive positions.

In view of this, it is the desire of SWAG that, the Nunoo Mensah-led administration will show magnanimity in victory and extend the olive branch to others and form a united front in the supreme interest of Ghana sports because even bigger challenges lie ahead of the administration.

Please be assured that you can continue to count on SWAG as a key partner in the development and promotion of sports in Ghana. We wish you and your tam best in your next term.

Finally, Ghanaian football has got something to cheer about in a long while, with the Black Satellites - the men's national Under-20 team - bringing some form of happiness with their unexpected victory as African champions at the 2021 Africa U-20 championship in Mauritania on the day of Ghana's 64th independence anniversary celebration.

Their impressive triumph, carved from an initial point of no hope as they struggled to even qualify from the group stage after a blockbuster opening game of brutal dismissal of Tanzania has ultimately taken Ghana back to where they belonged in the past as giants of African football at youth level.

Olympic qualification as consolation

However, unlike their 2009 counterparts who also won the WAFU and African crowns like this team and went on to add the world title to their trophy collection, Abdul Karim Zito’s team won’t have the chance to also win the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, as FIFA, with the Covid-19 pandemic as the obvious reason, cancelled the tournament that was to be held in Indonesia even before the African version kicked off in Mauritania in middle of February.

FIFA’s decision robs this Satellites team the big opportunity of fully emulating Sellas Tetteh’s all-conquering 2009 side.

However, this side has the chance, in consolation of being denied the big stage of the U-20 World Cup, to do something their 2009 counterparts couldn't or didn't do by qualifying for the 2024 Olympic football tournament - a competition that has eluded Ghana since 2004.

Thus, the qualification campaign for the Olympic Games football competition in Paris, host of the 2024 Olympics, should be their Under-20 World Cup tournament and also ultimate test for any of the players going on to become reliable or regular players for the Black Stars.

Whereas the 2009 team went a step further to clinch the world title, in an unbelievably impressive and historic manner, to become still the only African team to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup, this Satellites team are done and dusted with their U-20 campaign with the cancelled world version. So, in the absence of playing in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup this year, the chance of forming the core of the next Ghana Under-23 team for the ultimate bid of qualifying for Paris 2024 should be the next main aim and focus of this current Satellites set-up.

Zito's side not Sellas Satellites yet

Zito's team is a good one, with a few fine talents like Mauritania 2021 tournament best player and play-maker Abdul Issahaku, final hero Daniel Afriyie Barnie who was the final's two-goal hero and man-of-the-match, striker Percious Boah and left-back Samuel Abbey-Ashie Quaye.

But they are certainly not the Satellites 2009 in terms of team and individual qualities.

In truth, they rank lowest of all the triumphant Satellites teams Ghana have produced, including the super talented 1991 team of Shamo Quaye, Joe Debrah, Ezekiel Alamu, Michael Osei, Ablade Kumah, Joe Addo, Robert Eshun, Joe Baah, etc., that beat Nigeria in Lagos to win the WAFU Cup but unfortunately failed to qualify for the FIFA World Youth Cup in Portugal after placing third in the 1991 African Youth Championship in Egypt where the two finalists - Egypt and Ivory Coast - went on to represent Africa at the world level. You have to mention also the brilliant 2001 team that finished losing finalists at both the African and world levels and also the 1997 team that won bronze in both Morocco and Malaysia.

So let's not rush but rather keep focus in giving this Satellites team the steady and proper progression they deserve or require. Although they are sub-regional and continental champions, they are not yet the 2009 Satellites team, or even the Satellites of 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999 and 2001 - sides that boasted so many quality players who easily went up the ladder to make names with the Black Stars.

Olympic qualification challenge for the Satellites

Thus, the Black Stars can wait for the 2021 African youth champions. Truly, winning the U-20 African Cup suddenly does not make them super-star players for them to suddenly become Black Stars materials. So, the talk or idea of some of the players to be immediately promoted to the

Black Stars should wait for the mean time. Let’s see what they can do or offer at the next level with the Black Meteors team before we can think or begin to talk about the Black Stars for them.

Indeed, the Satellites have the small matter of the U-23 level - which is a more difficult stage- to deal with, with the big challenge of arresting what would be Ghana’s 16-year, four-tournament absence at the Olympic football tournament by making the 2024 edition, just like they have arrested our 12-year wait for the U-20 African title. Ghana can not afford to miss out again on Olympic football in 2024 and this should present a big challenge for the next Meteors team that would or should draw most of its strength from this current Satellites team.

One or two payers of Zito's team, if they are truly capable, can currently be encouraged with Black Stars call-ups or chances, but Ghana will know if the core of the team or many of the players can successfully make the step up to the Black Stars level if they are able to grow into a successful U-23 side and qualify Ghana to the Olympic Games once again. After all, Ghana will host the 2023 African Games and this should be a target that leads to preparation for the main African Olympic qualifiers - where they should or would come up against some of the familiar foes they met and overcame in Mauritania.

The 2008 Jones Attuquayefio’s Meteors team, with the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Michael Helegbe, Kwadwo Asamoah, Isaac Vorsah, etc., came close, only needing to beat Nigeria - eventual losing finalist to Lionel Messi's Argentina in Beijing - at home in Accra but failed in a 0-0 draw, just like the 2019 team that narrowly failed in Egypt with their fourth-place finish in a tournament that qualified the three top teams to Tokyo 2020.

The side with the best chance to have taken Ghana back to the Olympic stage was the 2009 Satellites team. But Ghana took things for granted and paid dearly for it, as the Meteors started the qualifiers without any of the triumphant Satellites graduates - a good number of them had already been given chances with the Black Stars at the time - and were eliminated by Sudan very early in the qualifiers (first round) with largely home-based players.

Ghana can’t repeat the same mistake in rushing players to the Black Stars, especially when many of the players involved are clearly not yet Black Stars materials as in the case of the present Satellites players. Of course, the Black Stars is the ultimate but players should be developed gradually and steadily for the top and this means they should be promoted or kept together to progress to the next level (U-23) in a systematic way. Certainly, not all of them may make the U-23s and go on to play for the Black Stars but majority should surely make the next step to give Ghana another strong Meteors side before any of them can push up to the very top - Black Stars.

This Satellites team, with their WAFU and African feats, have given the strong indication they can go places, even at the Meteors level. Ghana should give them this challenge for them to resurrect our Olympic fortunes, just like they have brought some cheer back to Ghanaian football with the country's 4th African title at U-20 level after 12 years wait, especially when the country badly needs to return to the Olympic football stage where Ghana were the first African side to win a medal.

As Zito himself happily pointed out, three of his Satellites players were with him at U-15 level while eight were in his Black Starlets team in Niger for the WAFU U-17 Cup.

So, possibly and sensibly, Ghana can promote Zito together with his boys to the Meteors level, with the sole aim of familiarisation and continuity for assault on the 2024 Olympic qualifying campaign.

When Sam Arday took the Satellites to place third in 1991, he continued with the boys at the U-23s and they subsequently made history in Barcelona in 1992 as the first country from Africa to win a medal in the football competition at the Olympic Games. Ghana can learn from this.

By Aristo Dotse

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), in partnership with the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) held the first ever Media capacity building programme on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in Accra.

The aim of the programme was to ensure that the sports media understands the workings of the GFA and to build on the existing relationship between the two entities.

Speakers included, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, President of the GFA and SWAG President Kwabena Yeboah.

Others included Alex Asante, Deputy General Secretary of the GFA and head of the National Teams department, Francis Adu, Head of GFA IT and Mawuko Afadzinu, Marketing manager of Stanbic Bank.

Speaking at the event, President Simeon-Okraku touched on the importance of the media to the development of Ghana Football and stated that his administration is committed to building a solid partnership with the media.

"The GFAs new way of work include transparency and ensuring that there’s constant flow of information. SWAG is a body to ensure we deliver on our mandate and most importantly a body the GFA holds in high esteem. President Simeon-Okraku said.

"The media is very important and so I have worked closely with SWAG since I took office. The GFA has not departed from taking media men on national assignments because of how important they are to the development of our Sport.

He called on the media to do away with the negativity and rather focus their energy and airtime on promoting the game and projecting positive content.

"From the FIFA Covid-19 fund, we allotted $7000 for this training which comes in two folds. This is the first seminar and the second part will take place in the Northern sector.

"The FA will soon launch an app which will make it easier in assessing information in addition to the ever-active website, live streaming of GFA events across social media platforms and the introduction of the ever-informative GFA News’ President Simeon Okraku added.

General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo took journalists through Governance at the GFA, the GFA new Structure, Vision, Mission, Statutes, relationship with FIFA, CAF etc, Compliance and Integrity and audits.

Head of the National Teams department, Alex Asante gave details about activities of the various National Teams, camping, organizing International friendly matches and competitive matches.

Branding and Marketing expert Mawuko Afadzinu spoke on media and building brands. IT and Communications, competition management, the GFA -FIFA Connect, Transfer Matching System and the Competitions Management System (CMS). Marketing Manager of Stanbic Bank, Mawuko Afadzinu spoke on the role of the media in building brands.

GFA Head of Information Technology Francis Adu Essah took participants through competition management, the GFA-FIFA Connect, Transfer Matching System and the Competitions Management System (CMS).

President Simeon-Okraku used the opportunity to dedicate the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations trophy to the Sports media.

The programme for the Northern sector is scheduled for Kumasi on March 30, 2021.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Ben Nunoo Mensah, the re-elected President of Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) says it is time for Ghana’s sport to take its rightful position on the continent.

Mr. Nunoo Mensah retained his position as GOC President after polling 35 votes with his challenger Mr. Richard Akpokavie amassing 28 votes.

Speaking after his victory at Congress, Mr. Nunoo Mensah was elated with the transparency of the electioneering process and commended the Elections Committee for their good work.

“This is not a victory for myself or other elected members but it is a victory for Ghana sports and I think we need to work harder together and make sure that for the next four years, GOC and Ghana sports would take its rightful position in the annals of Africa sports.

“I want to thank members of Congress for not putting us in a difficult situation but it’s an enormous task bestowed on us and we would not fail as we are poised to lift Ghana’s sports high,’’ he said.

Mr. Nunoo Mensah added that the newly elected members would step up efforts towards the preparation for the Tokyo Games with time far spent “we have lost and wasted a lot of time in our preparation for the Tokyo Games and there is a lot of work to be done. So we need to hit the ground running as soon as possible,’’ he noted.

GNA

Young rising boxer, Alfred Lamptey on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 presented his Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) and West Africa Boxing Union (WABU) Featherweight titles to his sponsors, Ashfoam at an impressive ceremony at the Ashfoam Showroom in Accra.

The undefeated champion also known as ‘Bukom Bomber’ with 8 fights and 6 knockouts beat veteran George Krampah to win the titles at the Bukom Boxing Arena on March 6, 2021.

Presenting the belts with the support of his promoter, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye of Box Office Promotions and coaches of the Black Panthers Gym led by Ebenezer Adjei aka Coach Killer, the new champion said he has been challenged not to rest, but train harder to win the world title.

He thanked Ashfoam for donating a comfortable bed to him, and now an L shape sofa and nn undisclosed amount.

Nana Yaw Ampem-Darko Antwi, Marketing & Communications Manager of Ashfoam advises Alfred Lampey to be focused and target his dream.

He promised the champion of the fullest support if he does well in his chosen profession to inspire other youth in Ghana.

Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, the 2020 Boxing Writers Association Ghana (BWAG) Promoter of the year thanked Ashfoam and the media for supporting boxing in Ghana.

Coach killer hinted Yours Truly that they have been highly motivated by the Ashfoam package, as they hope to crack at the African and Commonwealth titles before trying a shot at the world title.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Madam Elizabeth King, chairperson of the Women’s Commission of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has expressed her joy over the victory of Ben Nunoo Mensah, and said the future is bright for Women Sports.

She said it was all joy for her the whole of Monday when the results were called by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

The Vice President of the Ghana Hockey Association promised to support the Green Team to achieve their goals and objectives.

“We will shine again under Ben Nunoo Mensah because he is caring and has love for sports and sports people. I will be very sad to be on the losing side” she expressed.

Madam Gloria Commodore, President of Women In Sports Association (WISA) has also sent congratulatory message to Ben Nunoo Mensah who was re – elected President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) for the next four years.

She expressed her joy that Madam Delphina Quaye of the Swimming Federation was also elected to serve on the board.

According to Madam Commodore, she believes in the new team, and prayed that they will succeed in moving Ghana Sports to the next level.

She commended the delegates who voted for the resourceful GREEN TEAM.

The WISA President who is also a member of SWAG commended colleague Fred Acheampong of the GFA Executive and noted that things will get better at the GOC.

She hoped that the GOC will inspire the nation’s top sportsmen and women to excel at international games, especially the Olympic Games.

Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, the nation’s top (SWAG) Sports Personality for 2019 also hailed the victory, saying Ghana Sports must move forward.

In another development, Emmanuel Olla Williams has also sent his congratulatory message and says it is time to work hard again in the next four years.

He noted that everything must be done by government to support the Olympic Team to win medals.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Sports Personality of the year 2019, Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe has disclosed that it will be a big mistake if Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah is not given a second term in office to continue the good work he is doing for mother Ghana and the federations especially non-Olympic sports, and some of the support he normally give to individual para athlete like himself.

“I remember even our sports doesn't fall under GOC but he normally extend some support to NPC if it come to supporting.

According to the leading para athlete, he has proof that Ben Nunoo Mensah is a leader for everyone.

“I love his leadership, so I hope the delegates will not make a mistake of not giving him a second chance to to serve this nation,  as losing Mr. Ben at the moment as a leader for GOC means we are going back in terms of sports development and prosperity in international game” he expressed.

By Sammy Heywood Okine