… Game Boy accepts Show Love Challenge At Any Weight

Experienced Lightweight boxer Emmanuel Tagoe aka Game Boy is coming back to the Ghanaian ring again as he takes on the dynamite of Bukom, Derrick Quaye aka 'Show Love'.

Talks and the buildup towards the fight have reached an advanced stage, however not on the Ayitey Powers Promotions bill.

Game Boy (33-2-0) who held the International Boxing Council (IBC) Lightweight title has apologised to Ayitey Powers that he has to prepare well for Derrick Quaye (8-0-1) who is a crowd puller.

He has called for a competent and experienced promotion outfit to handle the bout, and given Quaye to come at his best and most comfortable weight.

The former world champion is a darling boxer to watch with his amazing skills, while Derrick Quaye is a power puncher, bull dozing and fighting like Mike Tyson.

Certainly it would be a grudge fight between a boxer and a brawler and fans are going to have plenty moments to cheer about.

While Tagoe sees the fight as a warm up bout and opportunity to teach Quaye some boxing lessons.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Bukom Boxing Arena will be the action spot on Friday September 19 when Global Warrior Champions host energetic young fighters for their international bill with Ghana's Emmanuel Lamptey and Nigeria's Ben Bazi headlining the show in an International Middleweight Contest.

The pairings include Richard Asiedu (Ghana) versus Felix Okoria (Nigeria), Kone Memon ( CIV) versus Affognon John Kennedy, William Adom Nortey (Ghana) versus  Sadiq Mohammed ( Nigeria), Selorm Darko (Ghana) versus  Edmund Akator (Ghana) and Mensah Aka Prince (CIV) versus Adim Chukwuebuka (Nigeria) are the fights on the bill.

At a press conference held last Friday at the Decathlon Sports Shop inside the Accra Mall, Mr.Jeff Taylor, CEO of Global Warrior Champions and President of Ghana Mixed Martial Arts Association said it has not been easy going round Africa promoting the sport and engaging athletes. but he is not giving up and thanked all who have supported including the National Sports Authority (NSA) and Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

He explained that MMA is not dangerous as people perceive, however safety is key in their programme.

"The vision is to grow and develop MMA in Africa, we have been to Congo, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and other African countries to promote MMA" he expressed.

He announced that Reggie Rockstone will show up again to thrill fans.

Mr. Kwabena Asamoah aka Kwab Asamoah of Tribal Sportswear who is Vice President of MMA in Ghana said plans and preparations are advance so sports fans should expect an explosive night of Boxing, Karate Do, Judo, Jujutsu, Taekwondo and others mixed up and called Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Mr. Thompson Agbodo. a rep of Decathlon Sports Shop said they are happy to be associated with the event and looking forward to a memorable night.

William Adom Nortey, one of the fighters said boxing and others are dangerous than MMA and urged more youth to get involved in MMA. He noted that it is rewarding and can make one famous.

Rates for the event ranges from 50ghc for Popular Stand to 150ghc for VIP and 250ghc for Ringside, meanwhile tickets can be obtained at *365*88*1000# on all mobile networks.

By Sammy Heywood Okine    

The KLG Millennium Half Marathon which is now a World Athletics certified running event in West Africa is fixed for Saturday September 6, 2025.

The action spot is Osu in Accra. Starting at the Accra Sports Stadium Shell Filling Station and ending at the Black Star Square.

The prizes are attractive and fantastic. Winners, both male and female of this year’s Millennium Marathon will take home GHc75,000.

President John Mahama who was at the first race is expected to grace the 10^th edition which is marked to be a memorable and special one.

Race Manager / Communications Director of the event Mr. Ernest Buamah organisers thanked the sponsors and partners, notably KGLFoundation, Twellium Ghana Ltd, Qualiplast, Fidelity Bank, Interplast, Garmin, Star Oil, DNL and partners such as the National Sports Authority, Ministry of Sports and Recreation and government of Ghana.

Co Founder / Race Director Mrs. Cathy Morton has urged the youth to participate massively and have fun and they build their health. She noted that funds from the event go to charity..

By Sammy Heywood Okine    

Nii Tetteh Addy Obaklante II, Okaishie Mantse has called for peaceful, unity and development as this year's Homowo Festival has been celebrated very well.

Speaking during the sprinkling of Kpoikpoi, he said peace is needed for positive development and noted that the cultures and traditions must be respected.

He noted that President John Dramani Mahama has also been able to bring about peace and development due to his experience in politics.

Nii Okaishie appealed to his people to demonstrate love and unity so the development projects can be done in peace.

He congratulated and commended President Mahama and his government for their work done within eight months.

According to him, President John Dramani Mahama went through the political mill by passing through different positions including Member of Parliament, Vice President and now President like how he also became an Asafoatse and now Mantse.

He said experience and loyalty are very important and hoped Ghanaians will support the President to succeed, likewise the people of Okaishie will also live in peace to attract development.

By Amos Aggrey and Sammy Heywood Okine  

Ghana's Muay Thai and Kickboxing Ambassador Gerald Dah will climb the ring once again for the Malaysia UXR showdown.

The event is taking place in the city of Kuantan, Pahang on 26/27 September 2025.

The ace Ghanaian fighter who has made big name in Malaysia is paired against. Mahamed Bin Mahmoud in the 70kg weight division.

Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview ahead of the fight Gerald Dah said he is very well prepared to win again and put the name of Ghana and raise his natioal flag higher.

He expressed that MMA, Muay Thai and Kickboxing has created a platform for fighters and believed Ghana has the men to perform.

He called on the National Sports Authority,  Sports Writers Association and Ghana Kickboxing Association to work hard in developing and promoting combat sports

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Millennium Half Marathon has over the last decade, united athletes from Ghana and across the globe in a uniquely set race in the heart of the city of Accra.

The race is now a World Athletics certified running event in West Africa, bringing the dynamic Ghanaian culture and warmth to celebrate the spirit of running and sportsmanship.

This year's edition is fixed for Saturday September 6, 2025. The action spot is Osu in Accra. Starting at the Accra Sports Stadium Shell Filling Station and ending at the Black Star Square.

The prizes are attractive and fantastic. Winners, both male and female of this year’s Millennium Marathon will take home GHc75,000.

The organisers thank the sponsors and partners, notably KGLFoundation, Twellium Ghana Ltd, Qualiplast, Fidelity Bank, Interplast, Garmin, Star Oil, DNL, the National Sports Authority, Ministry of Sports and Recreation and government of Ghana.

Race Director Mrs. Cathy Morton has urged the youth to participate massively and have fun and they build their health. She noted that funds from the event go to charity.

By Sammy Heywood Okine    

The much anticipated Golden Jubilee (50th) Edition of the prestigious Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards has been fixed for November 15, 2025 at the Accra International Conference Center.

Sportsmen and women, officials and distinguished personalities who have excelled will be honoured at the ceremony.

The awards which begun in 1975, has been running without a break over the years. It is the longest running awards event in Ghana.

Over 1000 people have been recognized and awarded by SWAG over the years.

Meanwhile the Planning Committee and Executive are appealing to corporate Ghana to sponsor and support the event as sports brings Ghanaians together.

By Sammy Heywood Okine    

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bronze medalist Samuel Takyi aka 'Ring Warrior' has accepted the challenge from Joseph Commey who recently won the National Lightweight title.

According to Takyi. the 2021 SWAG Sportsman and Boxer of the year who is currently on a training tour in UK, he has accepted to fight on condition that the bout is staged by a competent promoter like Legacy Rise Sports Promotions with a good take home purse for the winner.

He noted that most of the local promotions are not rich and do not offer attractive purses to boxers.

He said if boxers are paid well, they will fight.

The man who made history after winning Ghana's Olympic only medal after almost 30 years is lacing his boots and gloves to fight in Nigeria. His current manager is Michael Amoo Bediako of Streetwise Boxing and his corner is handled by experienced Dr. Ofori Asare.

Joseph Commey aka 'Jaguar' on the other side missed the SWAG Award in 2022 after being nominated however he was named Boxing Ghana's Boxer of the year in 2024. He is a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Scotland. He was crowned UBO Africa Lightweight Champion after his first professional bout.

According to Commey, he is challenging Takyi for boxing fans to see and know who is the best among them. He is trained by Ebenezer Adjei at the Black Panthers Gym at Jamestown and managed by Alex Ntiamoah Boakye of Box Office fame.

Both boxers represented Ghana at the 2023 African Games held in Accra and won gold respectively, after excellent performances at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Asante Kotoko beat Bibiani Gold Stars 1-0 to lift the Champion of Champions title on Sunday at the Dun’s Park in Bibiani.

Gold Stars, last season’s Ghana Premier League winners, faced the FA Cup holders in a keenly contested clash that promised more than silverware, as both teams sought momentum ahead of the league kickoff on September 12. Fresh from winning the GHALCA Top 4, the Miners entered as favourites, while Kotoko had failed to win a game in the pre-season tournament. Yet it was the Porcupine Warriors who prevailed.

Kotoko settled quickly, dominating possession, though Gold Stars threatened with a dangerous first-half free-kick that was expertly saved by goalkeeper Frederick Asare Camara. With few clear chances, the opening half ended goalless.

The breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute when midfielder Hamzata pounced on a loose ball from a set-piece, slotting home decisively. Gold Stars pressed late on, but Kotoko’s backline held firm.

The victory secured Kotoko’s fourth Champion of Champions crown, boosting coach Karim Zito’s side ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup campaign, while Gold Stars must regroup for their Champions League challenge.

Source GhanaSoccrernet

Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease transmitted by sand flies, continues to devastate communities across Africa, with Ghana’s Volta and Oti Regions among the hardest hit. While the disease exists in two major forms, visceral and cutaneous, both are marked by painful symptoms, limited treatment options, and growing drug resistance.

In Ghana, outbreaks of cutaneous leishmaniasis have persisted since the early 2000s, with recent studies revealing alarmingly high exposure rates. A 2021 survey found that 41.8% of individuals across three communities tested positive for Leishmania parasites, with Keri village peaking at 55.1%. Ulcer biopsies showed 87% positivity, often complicated by co-infections such as Haemophilus ducreyi, making diagnosis and treatment even more challenging.

But amid these sobering statistics, a new wave of innovation is emerging, led by Ghanaian scientist Aaron Boakye, a PhD candidate in Biochemistry at the University of Utah. Mr. Boakye has pioneered a hybrid approach to drug discovery that blends ancestral knowledge with modern computational tools, offering fresh hope for diseases long overlooked by global pharmaceutical pipelines.

Mr. Boakye’s research targets Leishmania donovani, the parasite responsible for visceral leishmaniasis. Using molecular simulations, he’s investigated two key enzymes, OASS and PTR1, that the parasite relies on for survival and drug resistance. These enzymes are either absent or structurally distinct in human cells, making them ideal candidates for selective treatment.

Through virtual screening, Boakye identified synthetic compounds ICA-2 and ICA-3 as promising inhibitors of OASS. But it’s the plant-derived molecules grifolin, piperogalin, and licochalcone A that have captured attention. Sourced from traditional medicinal plants, these compounds bind tightly to PTR1 and remain stable under simulated physiological conditions, suggesting real therapeutic potential.

“This isn’t about replacing traditional drug development,” Mr. Boakye explains. “It’s about using digital tools to refine and validate what traditional medicine has long offered.”

His work underscores a broader truth: across Africa, communities have used plant-based remedies for centuries to treat infections and inflammation. Now, with open-access software, cloud computing, and publicly available datasets, African scientists can explore these remedies with unprecedented precision without the need for massive budgets or high-end labs.

Mr. Boakye is especially intrigued by the concept of dual targeting, blocking both OASS and PTR1 simultaneously to reduce the parasite’s ability to adapt and resist treatment. It’s a strategy that could reshape how we approach drug resistance in parasitic diseases.

More than a scientific breakthrough, Mr. Boakye’s work is a call to action. It demonstrates how Africa’s rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge can guide precision medicine, and how computational tools can democratize drug discovery for underserved regions.

“In the fight against leishmaniasis and other neglected diseases,” Boakye says, “our greatest strength may lie in the synergy between tradition and technology. Sometimes, the answers are already growing around us, we just need better ways to listen.”

Related Links

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44371-024-00032-8

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07391102.2023.2166119

https://seriesscience.com/antileishmanial-medicinal-plants/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020751915001484

https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0009413

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/ghana/news/diagnosis-action-whos-efforts-strengthen-

ghanas-health-workforce-against-cutaneous-leishmaniasis

Source Aaron Boakye