President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah led some of his Executive Board members to Ashfoam Ghana Ltd on Thursday April 15th, 2021.

The meeting was part of the GOC's visit to corporate institutions in Ghana with the mission to foster progressive relationship between the Ghana Olympic Committee and corporate institutions.

The GOC president was welcomed by the marketing manager Nana Yaw Ampim- Darko Antwi who expressed appreciation for the visit.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah expressed great optimism in the discussions which included supporting Team Ghana to Tokyo.

He said, "the most pressing issue now is Tokyo, and we know when you came over to the GOC to have a meeting with us, Ashfoam promised to support us to  Tokyo with an amount of $20,000, we are also looking at the possibility of being a second brand, so that we will get some support for our athletes.

What we are generally looking at is not just your support for Takyo but Ashfoam becoming the heading sponsor of GOC".

Mr. Nana Yaw Ampem - Darko Antwi congratulated GOC president and the executive board (Green Team) for their re- elections.

"When I looked at the MOU here, when we started discussing Tokyo it was in last part of 2019 and it rolled to the next year February, 2020 when we discussed that we are going to support GOC. Since then I can say we have benefited as company more than what you have, through press coverages Television, Radio, the digital platforms, we are grateful to the GOC. we are going to support the GOC with $20,000" he pledged.

Among the GOC board members were Madam Delphina Quaye, vice president of Ghana Swimming, Mr. Michael Aggrey chef de mission for Tokyo Olympic Games and Mr. Albert Frimpong President of Ghana Baseball and Skate Soccer.

The GOC president is expected to visit other corporate partners and supporters ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

ABOUT ASHFOAM

Ashfoam is the leading foam manufacturing company in Ghana and one of the biggest foam producers in the West African Region. Established in 1978 by the great industrialist Mr. Robert Habib Hitti, Ashfoam is currently peaking with a market capitalization of size, expansions, development of new product lines, assets and sales targets.

Ashfoam is the only manufacturing, distribution and sale of Polyurethane Foam products in Ghana with an ISO certification (ISO 9001-2015). Ensuring you that the quality management systems live up to international standards.

Currently Ashfoam has four factories in the West African Sub Region. Two in Ghana, in Accra and Kumasi, one in Benin and one in Niger. You will find our yellow and red branded stores all over Ghana, making your next purchase easy and convenient.

Ashfoam is more than just a foam manufacturing company, Ashfoam is your one stop shop for all your home furnishing - including mattresses, pillows, linen, furniture and home decor. Feel It... Know It...

Source: GOC Communications

Honourable Rev. Solomon Kotey Nikoi, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of La Dade - Kotopon and the La Traditional Council have on Thursday, April 15, 2021 toured some developmental and social intervention projects within his jurisdiction.

Convoyed by his staff, the media and Nii Oten Granaky 1, La Abafom Manste, they visited the Royal Mausoleum (Manstemei Gormie) opposite the Apostolic Church at Trade Fair, where chiefs and elderly statesmen are buried.

He told the media, the place was formerly an eye sore as people openly defecate there and also used as a refuse dump, but now it has been walled with a security gate.

The entourage then went to La Adjeman to see work done so far on a drainage project, which is supposed to curb flooding in the area.

The tour took them see the new La Market Complex project which was initiate and abandoned for some period, but now taken shape within three months and people have started selling and buying.

The MCE and the entourage then visited some educational projects at Home School Primary (South La Estates), Association Model Complex, Ragoon School at Cantonments, the La Presby Senior High School and the Chiriapa Complex School at Burma Camp as well as the two storey four bedroom bungalow to be used as the official residence of the MCE.

Hon. Nikoi said the renovation of educational facilities on very dear on his heart as education is key to development of the human being and society.

He expressed that learning in a clean environment boasts the output of the pupils and students to produce remarkable results.

Nii Oten Granaky 1, hailed the MCE who has done so well within a few months, and appealed to the people of La to support him fully to do more.

He told the media, tourism would be boasted and employment in many forms is going to be generated to help the people develop and live in a clean and safe environment.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Madam Elizabeth Safoa King, Chairperson of the Women’s Commission of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and Executive Director of Papaye Recreational Village at Konkonuru - Aburi has bemoaned why only one female athlete, Nadia Eke, a triple jumper has qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Speaking with Yours Truly in an exclusive interview on the Olympic Games, she called on the nation’s best female athletes to make sure their presence is felt.

According to the Vice President of Ghana Hockey, many Ghanaian female athletes did well at the 2019 African Games in Morocco, and expected them to improve upon their performances by showing up at the Olympic Games.

She appealed to the male athletes to support the females to join them, as the future has been described as feminine.

She was hopeful that the national female long jump and high jump champions would make it.

Madam King also believes the female 100 meters by 4 relay team can also qualify as they are rated high in the world.

On the occasion of 100 days more to the Olympic Games, she urged Ghanaians to pray for the athletes representing the nation to perform magic and win medals.

She advised all sportsmen and women to abide by the Covid -19 health and safety protocols.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana Olympic Committee President Ben Nunoo Mensah and the Executive Board today April 14, 2021 paid a visit to  Tiger Holding limited holders of the brand, "Cocoa from Ghana" to Commensurate with them following the demise of their CEO, Henri Wientjis and former spokesman Joost Bellaart.

The visit was to also introduce the current executive board of GOC to the company and to inform them of plans outlined for Tokyo 2020.

Ben Nunoo Mensah said" Uncle Henri had a vision for Ghana sports where he served as a source of inspiration for many youth who had the passion for sports".

As sponsors of GOC, Cocoa from Ghana  supported GOC during the Winter Games with $25,000 to Ghana's sole representative Akwesi Frimpong and his technical team.

Even though Cocoa from Ghana highlited GOC failures in the past to account for funds disbursed to it during Rio 2016 and other events, they still believe there is an opportunity to work together.

 C.E.O of African Tiger Holding limited, Imoro Sulemana expressed his appreciation to the GOC delegation for the visit and congratulated them for their election to serve again on the committee.

"We will look into the partnership an work out something in order not to dime the vision of Mr.Henri who had a clear plan for sports development using Cocoa from Ghana brand". Mr. Imoro Indicated.

The Ghana Olympic Committee and Cocoa from Ghana signed a one-year partnership agreement in 2016, and later signed a letter of intent to renew their partnership in  2017.

The Partnership was to  committed the two bodies to a new and improved, multi-year contract, from  2017, through the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which is expected to bring immense benefits to the olympic movement in Ghana, including technical, psychological,  kitting, and the headline sponsor of the Ghana Olympic Committee, through the Tokyo Olympic.

The GOC Delegation was made up of Ben Nunoo Mensah, Paul Atchoe, Delphina Quaye, Albert Frimpong, Mike Aggrey and Lamptey George.

African Tiger Holding limited was represented by Imoro Sulemana ( CEO) and Edwije Dessein (GM).

By Willie Ben Graham

Mr. Imoro Sulemana, Chief Financial Officer of Cocoa from Ghana, a key partner of the Ghana Olympic committee (GOC) on Wednesday hosted the President Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah and the some of the newly elected executives at its office in Accra.

He assured to continue supporting the GOC especially the athletes preparing for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

According to the GOC President, the meeting was to also to commensurate with them the passing of their CEO, Mr. Henri Wienties  and former spokesman Joost Bellaart and introduce the new executive board to them.

Among the GOC executives were Madam Delphina Quaye, vice president of Ghana Swimming, Mr. George Lamptey, president of the Ghana Boxing Federation, Mr. Albert Frimpong President of Ghana Baseball and Mr. Paul Atchoe, vice president of the GOC as well as President of Ghana Volleyball.

Cocoa from Ghana, a subsidiary of African Tiger in 2016 entered into a strategic partnership with the GOC. A one-year sponsorship agreement was signed in Ghana on 20 June, with plans to extend the agreement until after the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

The common goal is to improve the performance of Ghanaian athletes.

The agreement highlights the many similarities between cocoa and professional sports. The same qualities – commitment, collaboration, and outstanding results – apply to both sports and the production of high-quality cocoa.

Cocoa from Ghana supports a wide range of sports; it is head sponsor of the successful Dutch women’s handball team and also sponsors Dutch long jump athlete Ignisious Gaisah, who was born in Ghana. Cocoa from Ghana recently became the official shirt sponsor of the West African Football Academy (WAFA), which was founded by the Feyenoord Football Academy.

About Cocoa from Ghana

Cocoa from Ghana is an initiative of the Ghanaian cocoa industry and aims to raise awareness for its product. The global demand for cocoa is approximately 4.2 million tonnes, 800,000 tonnes of which comes from Ghana. With Amsterdam as the world’s largest transhipment port for cocoa beans, the Netherlands is a major trading partner for the Ghanaian cocoa industry.

The GOC organizes the deployment of Ghanaian athletes and teams to the Olympic Games. The committee also develops, promotes, and protects Olympic sports in its own country in the hope of improving living and working conditions and facilitating social cohesion in Ghana through sports.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

With 100 days more for the commencement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the three Black Bombers who have qualified on Wednesday paid a special visit to the Ghana Olympic Committee office at Ridge in Accra to commemorate the day.

They were led by the President of the GBF, Mr. George Lamptey, his vice Abdul Samad and coach Dr. Ofori Asare.

The Vice President of the GOC, Mr. Paul Atchoe welcomed them and promised total support as well as motivation to keep their hopes high as they will be camped at an appropriate place where they can be monitored to see to it that they train well and eat well, not to get over weight.

He said there is an insurance package being put up for the team and officials.

Mr. Emmanuel O. Asare, President of Ghana Cricket who is also a new board member of the GOC urged them to be disciplined, determined and focused to realize their dreams as Olympic Champions.

The President of the GBF appealed to the government and corporate Ghana to aid them in their final preparations.

Experienced Coach Asare who has been to four Olympic Games hailed the boxers for making him proud at the African Qualifiers in Senegal, and assured that they will triumph again in a grander style in Tokyo, Japan. He hinted that there is the possibility of one or two more boxers to qualify.

All the three boxers, Flyweight Suleman Tetteh, Featherweight Samuel Takyi aka ‘Ring Warrior’ and Light Heavyweight Shakur Samed promised to make names for themselves, their families and mother Ghana by reaching the medal zone.

Miss Farida A. Iddriss, Administrative Manager of GOC asked the boxers to be prayerful and obedient to their technical handlers.

She expressed that the whole of Ghana is looking up to them for a medal in boxing at the Olympic Games.

By Sammy Heywood Okine and Elizabeth Alhassan

25 sports federations media attaches were treated to lunch by the popular and best fried rice and chicken supplier, Papaye Fast Foods after the first interaction with the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) on Tuesday.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah who has been re elected to lead the Olympic Family in Ghana for the next four years commended Papaye for their commitment to support media activities towards the development and promotion of sports in Ghana.

He said the media are an integral part of the Olympic Family and should be encouraged and empowered with capacity building programmes.

Madam Elizabeth King, Chairperson of the Women’s Commission of the GOC and Executive Director of Papaye Recreational Village at Konkonuru –Aburi said sports is life and urged other companies to support the sports media.

She advised sports journalists to promote females participating in sports.

She was however not happy that only one female athlete has qualified out of the six Tokyo bound, and prayed that others would make it.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Marking 100 days more before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has issued a statement to congratulate all the six athletes and boxers who have so far qualified for the biggest sports festival in the world.

He point out rising super star, Benjamin Azamati for breaking the 22 year old national 100 meters record before qualifying.

He hoped that more athletes would qualify by May, then the full compliment of Team Ghana moves to the training camp in Inawashiro, a town in Japan where the Ghanaian champions are going to finally prepare and acclaimatize before the Games.

He expressed that the 2020 Games would be without spectators and is going to be much different due to Covid 19, however Ghanaians are going to be with the athletes in spirit and they would shine.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Era Of Destruction Must Cease - GOC President Advises Media Attaches

President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah has lamented negative branding of Ghana Sports by some journalists which scares away sponsors.

He noted that funds are lacking in promoting sports in Ghana, and yet what will make us get the funds, ”we are not doing it”.

He made the comments while addressing media attaches, whom he described as special members of the Olympic family on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the Olympic House in Accra.

According to the GOC President, some people are only interested in pushing agenda that will only court negative publicity for our sports.

He expressed that when there is money in sports, the first beneficiaries would be the athletes, and the second beneficiaries would be the media, so the media should not join those destroying the industry that feeds them.

”Why are not doing or saying good things about the industry that makes us who we are? Why are we intent on only agenda setting destroying individuals when we can use the platform to say good things or talk about the 95% good things about our sports to make it attractive. We are destroying our own industry. The era of negative branding of our sports must stop,” he stated.

He cautioned the media to avoid people who would want to use them to destroy and defame others.

Mr. Nunoo-Mensah said he is not asking the media not to talk when people do the wrong things, but the approach should be positive,  not to destroy the industry.

According to him, the recent GOC Elections has proved that Ghanaians do not believe in lies, but in records and achievements.

”That alone should tell us that the era where we think that to come into the spotlight for a position is to destroy people and the sports are gone. I am pleading with you. We need you. The young boys and girls doing sports in Ghana need you,” he added.

He promised to organize more capacity building courses for the media with the backing of the federations.

First Vice President of the GOC Mr. Paul Atsu who doubles as President of the Volleyball Federation supported developing sports in Ghana requires the role of the media.

He stated that the media is the entry point for sports development in Ghana.

”We need you far more than you need us. There is no Federation operating in Ghana that does not need the media. So I want to urge you to continue supporting us,” he pleaded.

Present were Mr. Isaac Duah, Deputy Treasurer and President of Ghana Tennis Federation and Mr. Albert Frimpong, an executive board member and President of Ghana Baseball and Skate Soccer.

The 25 media attaches who attended the briefing were feted by Papaye Fast Food and Twellium Industrial Ltd, producers of Verna Water and Rush Energy Drink.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mrs. Joyce. Mahama, President of Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG) says she is not aware of the National Ampe Championship Program or event coming up in Ghana on May 3^rd, 2021 at the National Hockey Pitch.

She said Ampe as an International game introduced in Ghana by WOSPAG over ten years ago ,and they have been encouraged by the International Olympic Committee I0C who advised them to come out with structures and guidelines as well as rules for the traditional game which has been accepted Internationally

She explained that the  game is being played not only in Ghana but some African countries and at the moment there is an approved rules and regulations for the game by some African Countries.

She noted that the person organizing the Cultural games is doing is just arm bush marketing and is not the best for Ghana .

"We have even been invited to Benin to witness their event display competition and was planning how to include the game in the forthcoming All African Games..2023 to be hosted by Ghana. We were asked to contact  eight African Countries before it would be accepted. We contacted five but due to the COVID-19 pandemic we had to hold on. The game is an interesting one and is played as a team against an opponent. It is not a one on one game as this person is advertising. We have had it played in schools , marketplaces and at the Accra Sports Stadium. We are there fore surprised at what this person is up to. We have confronted him many times but just don't know what he is up to . Football can't be played as a  one on one game, it is a team game, as accepted by International Ampe” she expressed.

Madam Mahama called for support from the media to promote Ampe as an international traditional sport.

By Sammy Heywood Okine