Experienced and versatile musician, Queen Ella has promised to support the Ghana Music Industry by establishing a modern music studio to help talented musicians.

Speaking to Yours Truly on New Year Day at Nungua in Accra where the studio is sited, she said Ghana is blessed with many talents in entertainment, sports and other sectors, but the young ones need to be pushed and exposed.

She said the ultrs modern studio will comprise all the gadgets and instruments and she will be the first to record 300 songs before others come in.

Queen Ella who has over 3,000 fresh songs said this year would be a very good year for Ghana Music, and she thanked all who have held the fort while she was away in the USA for 20 years.

Known to be the Queen of Rap in Ghana, on record as the first female rapper to record, she hinted that her strengths keep on souring higher, and want to challenge the youth to be focused and work hard.

According to her, the secret to success is hard work.

“I want to tell my young musicians in Ghana and Africa not to lose hope when the going gets tough. I want them to believe in the Almighty God, and believe in themselves that they can do it despite all the odds and criticisms” she expressed.

In her New Year Message, Queen Ella thanked everyone who has supported her in America, Ghana, and wished them a prosperous season of hope and glory.

By Sammy Heywood Okine  

National Middleweight Champion, Mubarak Abubakar, Royal Boxing Organization (RBO) /National Light Flyweight Champion Joseph Akai Nettey and Osumanu Haruna aka Saabo who now holds the National Heavyweight Title have promised to raise the flag of Ghana high on the international scene.

Young enterprising manager, Mohammed Abdul Samed is happy that boxers from his stable and Zongo in Accra are doing their best to claim titles.

Samed who manages Akai Nettey, Haruna, Jessie Manyo Plange and Michael Ansah aka One Bullet at the All For One Boxing Management and Bill Curve Boxing Promotions believes his boys can take boxing to a higher level and win African  Continental and World titles for Ghana.

"We are prepared to go to the high stages of boxing, we have the technical experience and abilities under coaches Charles Quartey and Lartekwei Lartey to transform the boxers " he expressed.

He asked Ghanaians to support the new Champions, because they are really ready to change the face of Ghana Boxing by giving out quality boxing.

19 year old Joseph Akai Nettey will be going for the WBO Africa Lightweight Flyweight title soon, while Mubarak will defend his belt against Obodai Sai.

According to the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA)  President Abraham Kotei Neequaye,  all the new titles will be kept by the winners and he encouraged promoters and match makers to come up with quality and exciting bouts.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Beebies Events Ghana has demonstrated true love to eight sports personalities with the presentation of Christmas gifts (hampers) on Monday December 27 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Madam Alberta Ferguson, a representative of Beebies Events Ghana presented the items and undisclosed cash to the retired sports women who are over 60 years on behalf of her CEO, Mrs. Abigail Mckorley.

She conveyed a message of love and hope from Mrs. Abigail Mckorley, wife of Dr. Daniel Mckorley to the recipients and thanked them for doing sports for Ghana.

Those who received the gifts include the president and executive director of Women In Sports Association (WISA,), Madam Gloria Commodore, a former all round athlete who was interested in boxing, weightlifting and running, President of Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG) , Mrs. Joyce Mahama, Chairman of the Woman's Commission of the Ghana Olympic Committee GOC, Madam Elizabeth King who doubles as the Vice President of the Ghana Hockey Association, Retired Fire Officer, Miss Cynthia Akwele Lamptey a former Handball and Football goalie, Madam Angelina Ocran, former Sports Director of the Customs Excise and Preventive Services CEPS who played Volleyball and Handball , Miss Christiana Dodoo also a former Handball player who worked with the National Sports Council, now National Sports Authority, Madam Grace Armah, a retired Ghana Prisons Officer who did 100 meters and Long Jump for Ghana at the Los Angeles and Seoul Olympic Games in 1984 and 1988 respectively as well as Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine, an experienced Sports Journalist who also represented Ghana at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He happens to be the only male director and advisor of WISA.

The impressive ceremony took place at Tagoe's Kitchen at the Accra Sports Stadium and was witnessed by Miss Elizabeth Alhassan, Deputy PRO of WISA.

She said the gesture by Beebies should inspire young girls to participate in sports as they would be richly rewarded.

However, all the recipients felt government must be responsible in honouring and rewarding people who did well for Ghana Sports.

They urged Ministry of Youth and Sports to bring back the tartan tracks at the Accra Sports Stadium for athletes living in Accra Central, James Town, Korle Gonno Mamprobi, Chorkor, Osu, Nima and La to use.

They also advised the media, especially SWAG to recognize the achievements of women in sports to encourage more females to participate in sports.

They all claimed joy in doing sports and representing women in sports.

Madam Elizabeth King and Grace Armah on behalf of WISA thanked Beebies, while Gloria Commodore urged other organizations to support WISA which was founded eight years ago to seek to the welfare of females doing sports.

Chief Eke Chuku, dad of Triple Jumper / Olympian, Nadia Eke also supported WISA with some funds.

WISA has over the years honoured athletes in various disciplines, administrators, sports supporters, journalists and coaches.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Jamaican athletics star Elaine Thompson-Herah and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski have been named the AIPS Best Athletes of 2021. This is the result of a poll by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), where a panel of 529 journalists from 114 countries voted for the Champions of 2021.

This is the first time Thompson-Herah, who won three gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, is winning the award having topped the AIPS poll for the female category with 605 points, ahead of Barcelona and Spain's women's Ballon d'Or winner, Alexia Putellas (490 points) and triple jump world record holder, Yulimar Rojas, who received 346 points.

Lewandowski amassed 435 points to retain the AIPS crown he won for the first time last year, ahead of 2021 Formula One World Champion, Max Verstappen, with 349 points and seven-time Balon D'or winner, Lionel Messi, with 314 points.

AIPS Media

www.aipsmedia.com

2021 was a good year for Ghana Sports, but more can be achieved

Sports is my business and reflecting on the past year, I can boldly say 2021 was a good season, despite the fact that more can be done if the government, sports authorities and media give more support in terms of funds and encouragement.

Our nation, Ghana is blessed with talents, but that alone can not take the sports people to the level where they can rub shoulders with other stars in the world.

Football, Boxing, Athletics, Volleyball, Hockey, Swimming, Rugby, Golf, Tennis and Table Tennis were the disciplines that gave Ghanaian sports lovers some moments of excitement and hope that the future is still bright.

The Ghana under 20 national team led by Daniel Afriyie Barnie conquered Africa, but they could not qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

For once the Premier League was exciting as Accra Hearts of Oak came back after many years of trophyless seasons to win.

But the highest point was - the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where Yours Truly was privileged to represent Ghana as the one and only sports journalist.

The star of Team was Samuel Takyi who won our first medal since 1992. It was also Ghana’s only medal secured in boxing since 1972, and he had a  fantastic time and chance to take another stand on the podium at the closing ceremony standing beside the IOC President.

The 14 athletes who represented Ghana in athletics, boxing, judo, swimming, and weightlifting did their personal bests  and need to be commended, but it was boxing that brought joy to Ghanaian hearts.

Four times Olympian, Coach Dr. Ofori Asare deserves tons of congratulations for spearheading the search and find of the precious Olympic medal.

In Athletics, Ghana’s 4x100m relay team was also a delight to watch in the World Athletics Relay Championship held in Poland in May which gave them a ticket to the Tokyo Games where they managed to beat USA to qualify to the finals.

Young female long jumper, Deborah Acquah, set a new national record in the long jump with a new mark of 6.81m to establish herself as the leading African jumper, but narrowly missed out on automatic qualification for the Tokyo Olympics. She broke Ruky Abdulai’s 6.44m old record set in 2007. Also, Benjamin Azamati of West Texas A&M University broke a 22year old 100m record set by Leonard Myles-Mills in 1999. Azamati did 9.97secs to Myles-Mills’ 9.98secs.

Skipper of the athletics team , Joseph Paul Amoah, also made the headlines when he broke the national 200m record after smashing a 24-year record of 20.15secs held by Emmanuel Tuffour with a personal best of 20.08secs. He made the record in the NCAA Division I Championships held in Austin, Texas.

Football, the passion of the nation had its moments to celebrate as The Black Stars sealed qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Glorious Accra Hearts of Oak marched to their first title in 12 years with coach Samuel Boadu providing the Midas touch.

Hasaacas Ladies were such a delight in 2021. The Doooo ladies from Sekondi made their mark in Africa in the maiden CAF Women’s Champions League with progress into the final of the tournament. Hasaacas Ladies swept all five trophies available to female football teams in Ghana in 2021. They won the Women’s Premier League, Women’s FA Cup, and maiden First Lady’s Cup.

In professional boxing, Isaac Dogboe fought and won two bouts against Adam Lopez and Christopher Diaz to smoothen his return for a shot at the world title. Richard Commey lost against Vasyl Lomachenko.

On the local scene there were shocks and surprises in elections as Dr. Henry Manly-Spain lost at the GBA, and Mr. George Lamptey also succumbed at the GBF level.

New GBA President, Mr. Abraham Neequaye has changed the face of professional boxing with the introduction of new title belts and many Ghanaian boxers are performing better than previously.

2021 also saw an improvement in Rugby as Ghana stepped up did well under the leadership of Mr. Herbert Mensah.

In Swimming, 16 year old Unilez Takyi went to gain exposure at the Olympic Games and gave hope to female swimmers, but it was Abeiku Jackson who held the flag of Ghana high with his classic performances, breaking national records and setting new ones.

The female hockey team of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Royal Ladies, defeated the Delta Queens of Nigeria 3-0 in the final match of the Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC) 2021 female division. That was another remarkable feat, but the men can do better with better training and exposure.

Volleyball proved to be an exciting game with the organisation of the Super Tournament by Mr. Mohammed at the Ga Mashie Sports Hall in Accra. I must congratulate all the players and officials who took part.

The season saw the completion of several astro turf pitches, but the youth need more indoor sports facilities for other disciplines.

Ghana's bid to host the 13th African Games was boasted when the AU approved the rights and the event, Accra 2023 was launched.

I would like to salute the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah and his board and all federation heads for their sacrifices and task the government to motivate them by supporting with funds.

I must salute the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) now headed by the cool and collected vibrant and articulated Kwabena Yeboah for maintaining standards and tradition and holding on to the awards, now 46th which every sports person looks up to in Ghana.

Special Salute to the President of Ghana, HE Nana Akufo- Addo, past sports ministers, the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Professor Peter Twumasi who is always learning to get things right at the right time.

For the current Sports Minister, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, more grease to your elbows as well as the Chairman of the LOC, Accra 2023 Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare and his team of committees who are so anxious to realize that Ghana successfully organises one of the best sports festivals on the continent of Africa.

Sports is life and the children and youth of Ghana and Africa must be inspired because the future belongs to them.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Former Ghana and Feyenoord defender, Christian Attah Gyan has passed, Modernghana.com sports desk can report.

The 43-year-old died early hours of Wednesday 29th December 2021 after a lengthy battle with cancer according to reports.

The reports added that he even received support from Feyenoord who donated 35,000 euros for medical bills in 2017.

Gyan died at a hospital in Holland.

The late Christian Attah Gyan played for defunct Gapoha before joining Dutch side Feyenoord in 1997.

At Feyenoord, he played for a decade where he was a popular figure at the club.

He was sent out on loan to Excelsior but made 93 appearances scoring three goals during his ten-year stay at Feyenoord.

Gyan remained with Feyenoord for the next eight seasons.

He was mainly used as a substitute. Gyan did play the 2002 UEFA Cup Final against Borussia Dortmund.

He replaced the suspended Brett Emerton in the starting eleven. With Gyan Feyenoord went on to beat Dortmund 3–2.

He helped them win three titles - the UEFA Cup, christened the Europa League, Eredivisie and Johan Cruyff Shield.

Gyan was one of the most popular players at Feyenoord, always gaining a big applause from the fans when he started his warming-up.

Gyan played 23 games for the national team of Ghana.

He was also a member of the triumphant Ghana squad that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Ecuador under late coach Sam Ardey.

President of Women In Sports Association (WISA) Madam Gloria Commodore has called on the sports authorities to encourage and motivate young females show their talents in sports.

She said this when WISA with the support of Mrs. Abigail Mckorley and Beebies Events GH hosted and honored eight sports personalities at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday  27, 2021.

The personalities include Madam Grace Armah, an athlete and Olympian, Madam Elizabeth King, a hockey star and Chairperson of Women's Commission of Ghana Olympic Committee, Miss Christie Dodoo, a former netball and handball star, Miss Cynthia Akwele  Lamptey, a former handball and football goalkeeper for Ghana and the Fire Service, Mrs. Joyce Mahama, WOSPAG president, Madam Angela Ocran, also an all round athlete and former director of sports at CEPS and Sammy Heywood Okine, the only male director supporting WISA who was the only Ghanaian journalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Madam Commodore herself.

Madam Elizabeth King, who was former Ghana Prisons Director and Treasurer of African Hockey on behalf of the awardees thanked Mrs. Abigail Mckorley and hoped that the government will recognize the achievements of the women who have excelled in sports for Ghana.

She called on all retired sports women to come together to set agenda on how to support females in sports.

The awardee also talked about how to support the Local Organising Committee LOC of Accra 2023 African Games to succeed.

 By Sammy Heywood Okine

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed that the Coastal Development Authority (CODA) should name the newly constructed pitch at the Mamprobi Girls School in the Ablekuma South Constituency after former captain of the Black Stars of Ghana, Stephen Appiah.

The decision to name the facility after "Tornado" was based on his dedication and commitment to the community as well as  the national team.

Ghana salutes the following former Ghanaian internationals who featured, alongside "Tornado", in a commemorative match between Stephen Appiah XI and Chorkor Mamprobi Korle Gonno XI:

Awudu Issaka, Sulley Mutari, Laryea Kingston, John Paintsil, Jerry Akaminko, Godwin Attram, George Boateng,Fatau Dauda, Peter Oforiquaye

Sam Johnson , Awuley Quaye Junior, Armah Senegal, Razak Ibrahim, Dan Quaye and Clifford Nana Aboagye.

Madam Gloria Commodore President of Women In Sports Association (WISA) has called on the sports authorities to encourage and motivate females to do sports.

She said this when WISA with the support of Mrs. Abigail Mckorley hosted and honored eight sports personalities at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday  27, 2021.

The personalities include Madam Grace Armah, athletics./ Olympian, Elizabeth King, Hockey star, Chairperson of Women's Commission of Ghana, Miss Christie Dodoo, former netball and Handball star, Cynthia Akwele  Lamptey Handball and football Goalkeeper for Ghana and  Fire Service, Mrs. Joyce Mahama WOSPAG president Angela Ocran, also an all round athlete of CEPS who became a former female sports director, Ssmmy Heywood Okine, the only male director supporting women in sports and Madam Commodore herself.

Elizabeth King who was former Ghana Prisons Director on behalf of the awardees thanked Mrs. Abigail Mckorley and prayed that the government will recognize the achievements of the women who have excelled in sports for Ghana.

She called on all retired sports women to come together to set agenda on how to support females in sports.

They also talked about how to support the LOC of Accra 2023 African Games to succeed.

 By Elizabeth Alhassan

... Osmanu Haruna wins National Heavyweight Title Belt

19 year old, Joseph Akai Nettey wrote his name in the history books on Boxing Day December 26, 2021 when he stopped Prince Boah in round 5 to become the new Royal Boxing Organization (RBO) Light Flyweight Champion.

He displayed classic artistry of boxing at the Idrowhyt Events Centre at Dansoman to the amazement of patrons and guests who really enjoyed one of the memorable moments in Ghana Boxing.

On a night of delightful boxing put together by Cabic Promotions, Nettey, a product of the Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation gave credence to his billing as a future world champion.

The RBO title is an officially recognized international boxing sanctioning body outfit founded in Luxembourg in 2017. They approve world, continental, European and African bouts.

Osmanu Haruna weighing 266. 60lbs became the new National Heavyweight champion when he beat Nii Ofei Dodoo who came in at 258.90lbs via a TKO. The former Black Bomber entertained fans with his Muslim music after the exciting bout. He dedicated his new title to his fans and family.

Michael Darku was saved by immaculate referee Roger Barnor from further punishment by Mubarak Abubakar who became the new interim National Middleweight champion.

Obodai Sai stopped Jedida Doku in their Middleweight contest and will meet Abubakar in a few months time.

Experienced duo, Isaac Sowah and Daniel Adjei, popular boxers from Bukom gave fans a good run for their money with real mix of experience and exuberance.

Mathias Sulley Ngua defeated Enoch Lamptey through a knock out.

Emmanuel Quaye, a product of Cabic management knocked out Amoak Sampson in their Super Welterweight duel.

Nii Ashitey Larbie also lost to Mustapha Abubakar in their Lightheavyweight encounter.

Samed Mohammed, manager of Akai Nettey, Jessie Manyo Plange who is now based in the USA, Micheal Ansah aka One Bullet and Osmanu Haruna told Yours Truly to alert Ghanaians to watch out for more from his camp of aspiring and potential world champions.

Mr. Gideon Ohiadzo aka Jingles, Marketing and Promotions Manager of Idrowhyt Center and Cabic Promotions said their premises is open and welcomes guests who wish to have a royal treat of entertainment, food and sports, including swimming.

Mr. Ellis Quaye, a Director of Cabic Promotions commended the boxers for putting up good performance.

Hon. Nii Lante Vanderpuije, MP for Odododiodoo, who was a special guest also congratulated the boxers on the bill for their excellent shows, and inspired the GBA to sanction good pairings to give boxing fans a worth of their monies.

Mr. Abraham Neequaye, the GBA President hinted that the face of Ghana Boxing is changing with innovative products and programs such as the Professional Boxing League.

He thanked all stakeholders of the game of boxing in Ghana, and wished them a prosperous new year.

Efe Keyz entertained patrons with her juju music, as Jackie Onasis also held her ring cards in charming style as usual.

Mohammed Amin Lamptey, Communications Director of the GBA was MC on the night which was telecasted live on Max TV, the media under IMax Media Group that have signed a deal with the GBA to organize the Ghana Professional Boxing League from February 2022.

By Sammy Heywood Okine