by Silas Boahene | Sep 12, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana
The third edition of the Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024. The race will begin at the Accra Sports Stadium and conclude at the Trust Sports Emporium, also known as the Bukom Boxing Arena in Jamestown.
Participants can compete in a 21km half marathon, a 10km race, or a 5km race. The event is sponsored by Serene Insurance, Indomie, Allied Consortiums, Parin Africa Limited, Ethiopian Airlines, Unichem Group of Companies, GWO Servo, Healthi Life, and Decathlon.
William Ezah, CEO of Medievents, the event’s organizers, encouraged people to register, emphasizing that the benefits go beyond fitness. He highlighted the opportunity for networking, socializing, making new friends, and stress relief. He also invited athletes from other sports, including boxing, table tennis, basketball, badminton, hockey, volleyball, and football, to participate.
Ezah noted that boxers have been involved in previous editions and are expected to join again this year. The 2024 marathon was officially launched by Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President Ben Nunoo Mensah, who urged Ghanaians, especially Accra residents, to take part in the event.
The Ga Traditional Council has also endorsed the marathon as part of the Homowo festivities.
by Silas Boahene | Sep 12, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
The Paris 2024 Paralympics marked a monumental achievement for Africa, with the continent securing a total of 64 medals, surpassing its previous record at Tokyo 2020 by one. African athletes claimed 23 golds across eight nations, while two additional countries made their debut on the medal table.
As anticipated, para-athletics and para-powerlifting dominated the events, contributing 43 and 11 medals, respectively. Morocco led the African charge with 15 medals, while Algeria shone with six golds. Samson Deen, president of the African Paralympic Committee (APC), lauded the athletes’ incredible performances but acknowledged the ongoing challenges: “African athletes have shown that if our governments and people offer more support, they will perform even better.”
Looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Games, the APC and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) face significant hurdles. Mauritius celebrated its first-ever Paralympic medal with Yovanni Philippe’s bronze in the men’s T20 400m, while Nigeria’s Mariam Eniola Bolaji made history as the first African to win a Paralympic or Olympic badminton medal, earning bronze.
Algerian para-canoeist Brahim Guendouz secured a gold medal in the KL3 event and expressed hope for the future of African athletes in the sport. Meanwhile, legendary para-athletes such as Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili, who won two golds, and South Africa’s Mpumelelo Mhlongu, who set world records in the T44 100m and long jump, continued to solidify their legacies.
The path to the LA 2028 Games highlights the need to expand participation and improve competitiveness. In Paris, 312 African para-athletes represented 44 nations, though nine countries sent only one athlete. Funding and access to facilities remain major challenges, especially since many qualifying events are held in Europe and the Americas.
To address these issues, the APC is actively seeking a host for the second edition of the African Para Games and has partnered with a European sports agency to expand the sports roster for the 2027 event. Duane Kale, vice president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), emphasized Africa’s “untapped potential,” stating that stronger African representation would benefit both the continent and the IPC.
During recent discussions with NPC officials, the APC stressed the importance of unity in securing more government funding. Deen underscored that “disunity among African people” remains the biggest hurdle, adding, “When we are united, we can build a strong Africa in para-sports.”
Raising awareness of para-sports across Africa is essential to increase participation. Hagie Drammeh, The Gambia’s chef de mission in Paris, highlighted the need to change perceptions: “There are many people with disabilities who do not believe sport is a way forward. We need to get involved in more sports so that people with impairments… can find life in sports.”
Nigerian para-powerlifting silver medalist Esther Nworgu urged people with disabilities to embrace sports, affirming, “Sport will build you mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Where there is disability, there is ability. I see it as strength.”
As Africa prepares for the 2028 Games, the historic successes in Paris serve as a reminder of the importance of sustained support and development in para-sport. With unity and dedication, the future shines bright for African para-athletes on the global stage.
by Silas Boahene | Sep 12, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana
Rising boxing talent George Faho Mensah, 24, also known as “Stopper,” will join the star-studded lineup for Cabic Big Fight Night this Friday at the Idrowhyt Events Center in Akukorfoto, Dansoman, Accra. Mensah, with a record of seven wins and one loss, is set to face seasoned fighter Gabriel Adoku, 35, known as “Soldier Bomber,” who boasts a record of 14 wins (11 KOs) and 39 losses (33 KOs).
Mensah’s co-manager, Samuel Darkwah Adjei, emphasized the significance of the bout, noting Adoku’s experience as a valuable learning opportunity. He stressed that they are avoiding complacency, treating every fight seriously with the goal of competing internationally against top-tier opponents.
In another highlight, Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Samuel “Ring Warrior” Takyi will face Emmanuel Noi Mensah in a highly anticipated matchup. The weigh-in is scheduled for Thursday morning, and all fighters have been urged to be punctual. The main event will feature Emmanuel Mankatah taking on Nigerian-Ghanaian fighter Sunday Adeleye.
by Silas Boahene | Sep 12, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ms. Wendy Naa Deidei Sampah, CEO of the WENDY Foundation, a charitable organization in Accra, delivered hot breakfast meals to the Ayawaso CP football team. The team’s manager, Mr. Emmanuel Akpabli, expressed gratitude to Ms. Sampah for her kindness and wished her God’s blessings.
The team captain also shared appreciation, thanking the Foundation for brightening their day. Ms. Sampah, delighted by the team’s joy, emphasized the Foundation’s mission, “SMILE AGAIN,” and committed to continuing their support for disadvantaged communities.
She acknowledged contributors to her programs, including Henry Tetteh Djangmah, Kweku Kyei Boadu, and others. As a teacher and sports producer at HSTV, Ms. Sampah advocated for greater care and attention towards disabled athletes, urging the government to prioritize disability sports. She also congratulated the Black Challenge for winning the 2024 African Amputee Trophy.
by Silas Boahene | Sep 12, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Other Sports
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Union, in collaboration with the PSWU National Secretariat, held a press conference on Tuesday to address ongoing concerns within the national broadcaster. Key issues discussed included staff welfare, conditions of service, medicals, victimization, and salaries, especially following events during the 13th African Games, Accra 2023.
Union General Secretary, Mr. Bernard Adjei, revealed that previous divisions within the Union had hindered their ability to negotiate with management. However, with the Union now united, they are hopeful of resolving these issues through discussions with the Director General and management.
Mr. Adjei called for patience from the staff as negotiations are underway, and he assured them that some issues, though sensitive and internal, are being addressed, such as the restoration of their chairman’s salary.
Union leaders have agreed to suspend an impending industrial action after receiving confirmation that the Director General will meet their demands. Despite the meeting’s outcome, many staff members, dressed in red to symbolize their frustration, remained unconvinced.
Union Chairman Sam Nat Kevor, Vice Chairman Edith Jessica Kalleh, and Deputy General Secretary John Sampah were present at the conference. Mr. Kevor, sharing in the staff’s dissatisfaction, expressed hope that the situation would be resolved soon, especially as GBC plays a crucial role in the country’s development ahead of the general elections.
