The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hearts of Oak, Frederick Moore, has resigned.

According to media reports, Mr. Moore, who replaced Mark Noonan last year and is currently on sick leave, will not return to his post.

Close sources told Joy Sports that Moore said “I think I should be back to the office on Monday (November 30)” when attempts were made to clarify when he will resume duty.

We understand there are some differences between the Board and Management. The Board hired former coach Kosta Papic, whom many believe will replace Edward Nii Odoom, without consent of management.

Papic was at the Accra Sports Stadium to watch Hearts’ 1-0 loss to Inter Allies.

Moore made intents to leave his role known to close associates following the brouhaha surrounding the appointment of a technical director before the new season commenced three weeks ago.

Moore, they say was unaware of the engagement of Manuel Vaz Pinto who left his role unceremoniously after just a week. Many of these issues culminated in his decision to resign.

MyJoySports

England-born Ghanaian defender Richard Nartey is happy to complete a switch to Premier League side Burnley FC.

The 22-year-old signed a short-term deal with Burnley in November 2020 on a free transfer after impressing the coaching staff during his training with the club.

He will be with Turf Moor outfit until the end of the 2020/2021 season with an option to extend.

Nartey was released by Chelsea in July this year and has since been training with Burnley where he has been able to convince the coaches with his performances to earn a contract.

"It’s a relief. After the whole COVID-19 situation, I was just happy getting back into the swing of it," he said

"Burnley let me come originally, just to get fit, which I was always grateful for, regardless. Now I’ve signed here is a great feeling for me."

"Everyone here made me feel like I had been here for years. I felt comfortable settling down and they have been a huge help in making me feel comfortable up here.

Nartey played on loan at Burton Albion last season in the League 1 on loan from Chelsea having made 29 appearances.

His Chelsea contract was not renewed at end of the season.

"You reach an age at Chelsea where you want to break through."

"The loan last year helped me a lot, but coming here with that family feeling I feel like I have a direction of where I’m going and progression. I think it’s a new chapter in my life," he added.

Nartey was born in London to a Ghanaian father and a British mother but is yet to represent Ghana or England at any level.

He spent 11 years at Chelsea going through the age ranks up to the U23 level before his release from the club.

GhanaSoccernet

Ghana Premier League side Accra Hearts of Oak have named Serbian trainer Kosta Papic as their new head coach.

This comes after coach Edward Nii Odoom was shifted to the youth side of the club.

Kosta Papic landed in Ghana last weekend as the technical director but has been handed the coaching role following the club’s abysmal showdown in the ongoing league season.

The 60-year old Serbian gaffer has returned to Hearts of Oak after many years of leaving the club.

Kosta Papic was at the helm of affairs of the club when they won the 2008/09 Ghana Premier League title.

He will be assisted by former Berekum Chelsea coach Asare Bediako who was named the assistant trainer of Hearts of Oak in November.

Kosta Papic has had stints with clubs like Young Africans of Tanzania, South African sides Black Leopards, Chippa United, Polokwane City and Royal Eagles.

He was appointed national coach of eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland) in December 2018 and left the role in December 2019.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Joseph Awinongya Sr. has thanked the Asamoah Gyan Foundation for the donation of $7,000 to his son Joseph Awinongya Jr, towards his preparations for the USA National Championship and future boxing programmes.

He also commended the media who turned up to cover the event.

According to Awinongya there are other Ghanaians like Mr. Isaac Tetteh aka TT Brothers and Alhaji Inusah who are backing the project.

He said the Asamoah Gyan Foundation office in the USA has begun operations, and they ready to support Ghanaians in the USA as well as Americans who want to do business in Ghana.

According to Sammy Anim Addo, president of the Asamoah Gyan Foundation, their vision is to stimulate action for change among the vulnerable and needy members of marginalised society.

“We work with such people empowering them with the dignity that having freedom provides. Through this, we help them achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status thus improving their quality of life” he said. 

The vision to make AGF the preferred charitable organization identified by national organizations, the donor community, and multinational organizations to facilitate resource mobilisation to boost socio- economic development in underserved communities and districts" With our Vision in mind we work to identify problems confronting communities in Ghana and find short term, medium term and long term solutions to them. We recognize the roles played by the government of Ghana and its development partners to put in place new infrastructure while improving on the existing ones to enhance the total wellbeing of the people by providing sustainable growth and development. It is for these and other factors that we augment the effort of government and organization. 

The mission of the Foundation is to: 

1. Mobilize resources to support the provision of potable drinking water and enhance sanitation for rural communities.
2. Enhance and support women in agriculture.

III.     Enhance the promotion of girl-child education. 

However, the Foundation has undertaken projects in the following areas Education.

1. Paid School Fees for 11 selected SHS students to university, and two students tuition fees for MBA.
2. Donation of computers to vulnerable school in remote villages Ahantanan and Asuboa,

Potable water 

1. Construction of a water system for Wenchi township in the Brong Ahafo

Region of Ghana 

2. Construction of Construction of mechanized bore hole for St. Francis Teacher Training School in Hohoe in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Health

1. Donated Hospital equipment to the Women and Children’s wards of Korle bu, Mamprobi and Ridge hospitals, pays surgery bills for patience.
2. Renovation and donation to th Children’s hospital
3. Cash Price donation to the heart centre Asamoah Gyan  donated a cash amount of $10,000 to the Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in his capacity as the President of the Asamoah Gyan Foundation,
4. Mass Registrations of the poor and vulnerable onto the National Health Insurance scheme

Agriculture

Submitted proposal to access the Feed the Future Project under the USAID Global

Development Alliance GDA with ap. No: M/Oaa/Gro/Egas-11-002011 through ACDIVOCA

Sports  

The Foundation organised an event for SSSCE Schools is Greater Accra dubbed 

“Sports and Music jamboree” at the athletics oval in Legon University 16th&17th February, 2012, which was participated by 22 schools comprising WASS, Ebenezer SHS, PRESEC, Accra Girls, Accra High etc. The Technical Committee identified five (5) talented students who will receive scholarships from the Foundation.  

Baby Jet U16 African tournament for unearthing football talents - where 3 players had opportunity for trials in Europe- Best player played in All African games and plays for kotoko 

Human Rights

The GHANA PROTECT the GOAL CAMPAIGN is the Ghana Chapter of the "Protect the Goal" initiative, a brand new slogan, in the framework of UNAIDS' sport for global advocacy. Asamoah Gyan PLEDGED as the Captain of Ghana Black Stars, together with H.E. President John Mahama of Ghana and has since availed himself and image as a tool to champion campaign.

 Mr. Asamoah Gyan was invited by the President of Malawi His Excellency Peter    Mutharika in Lilongwe to commemorate the signing of the Protect the Goal Campaign on the 27th of August to September 2nd 2014 as guest of Honour.

Social Interventions – Ghana Blind Association – Suhum Chapter

1. Donation of white walking sticks, talking watches, googles and food items, registrations of the group onto National Health insurance scheme
2. Cash Donations to the National Women’s team
3. Relief items and cash donation to the infamous June 3rd flood and fire victims in Accra in 2015.
4. Construction of an ultra-modern Astro soccer centre for Accra Academy school

UN – Ambassadorial role 

Asamoah Gyan, has was sworn in as the Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations Youth Association of Ghana 12vMarch 2020.

Asamoah Gyan has donated items worth over thousands of Ghana Cedis to the Dzorwulu Special School in Accra.

ASAMOAH GYAN BRIEF PROFILE- 

 Asamoah Gyan was born on the born 22 November 1985 in Accra, Ghana.

Asamoah Gyan is the third born of his family born to Mr. George Baffour Mensah

Gyan, an accountant and the late Madam Cecila Gyan Baffour Mensah (Nee Cecilia Love Amoako) educationist. The passion for football and music was evident as the artistry manifested at a younger age. Asamoah Gyan started football at a tender age when he played for Liberty Professional youth and Cedaps colt club in Ghana. He had his primary and junior secondary education at Seven Greats Academy and his senior secondary education at Accra Academy where he featured for Ghana Academicals team during his school days in 2001. He was recalled into the Liberty Professional team in 2002 and loan out to Stay cool professional in the lower division to help their promotion into the elite division.   

Asamoah Gyan began his professional career in 2003 with Ghana Premiership club Liberty Professional scoring a prolific ten goals in sixteen matches. He caught the attention of Italian Seria A giants Udinese, he since has gone to play in France for Rennes, In England for Sunderland, In United Arad Emirate for Al Ain, Al Ahli, in China Shanghai SIPG, in Turkey for Kayserispor and in India for North East with over 340 appearances and 180 goals at club level and still active. He remains Ghana all times highest goal scorer with 109 appearances, an Olympian, 2 times runner up at AFCON, he became the top African goal scorer in World Cup finals history by scoring the Black Stars' equalizer in the 2-1to Portugal, first Ghanaian to score at the world cup and only African to have scored in 10 consecutives competitions and leading goal scorer of the Asian Club Championships. Asamoah Gyan scored Ghana's enterprising equalizer against England at Wembley in the international friendly on 29 March 2011.

Music

In summer 2010, Gyan recorded and released a Hiplife song with Castro the

Destroyer, where he features under the alias "Baby Jet". The song is entitled "African

Girls" The song won an award at the Ghana Music awards in 2011. He also joined Castro for another duo "Do Da Dance and again Odo pa which won the Hi-life song in Ghana 2013, Gyan recorded another banger dubbed “enemies” with Stonebwoy BUSINESS

Gyan Investments Ghana Limited (GIGL), is a limited liability Company based in Ghana West Africa, the company has strong financial background to transact international business. This is because Gyan Investments Ghana Limited has the internationally acclaimed Gyan brothers Asamoah Gyan, Captain of the Ghana Blacks Stars and Al Ain of UAE and Baffour Gyan former Black Stars Player and business man as Directors. The vision of GLGL is to develop and grow as the providers of quality products and services at the most affordable terms in the ever emerging market. Building shareholders’ value, creating strong and trusted chain whilst fulfilling cooperate responsibility is our mission.

The core business of the company among others things includes Paradise pac treated water, Importation, Real Estate Development, mining equipment hiring and general business. The company has 2 units fully furnished building opposite Trassacco Valley at East Legon, 8 units of semi-detached property located at Nkwantanang off madina for sale and rentals, boost of 8 mining excavators for hiring, real properties in Dubai, UK and host of undeveloped landed property across the length of the country, warehouses, stores and depots.

Baby Jet Promotions is a subsidiary of Gyan Investment Ghana Limited owned by the Captain of the black Stars, Mr. Asamoah Gyan. Baby Jet Promotions is an event organizing outfit, music, movie and sports Promotions Company. It is known for successfully leading the crusade for the rebirth of boxing in Ghana by organizing the biggest local bout in Ghana between Emmanuel Tagoe “the Game boy” and George Ashie the “Red Tiger”. It went on to Sign the winner of the bout after settling the long grudge which has taunted the sport his time immemorial in the heart of its lovers. Emmanuel Tagoe has gone ahead to win a world title.

Doctorate

 Asamoah Gyan was awarded an honorary degree by Ukraine-based Alfred Noble University in Kumasi at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology for his achievements for his country and the various clubs he has played.

The award is in two folds- The Alfred Nobel Doctorate on a golden plate reserved for persons who have contributed immensely to the development of their countries and the Honorary Personality of Exemplary Leadership Award from World International Award.

Entoolment

Asamoah Gyan was enstooled as Chief by the Gbui traditional council for his contribution to the people of Hohoe.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana’s Black Queens on Monday, beat the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco in their second loss in an international friendly at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Striker Sandra Owusu Ansah scored two goals on the evening to give Ghana a two-nil win. She put Ghana in front in the 10th minute flummoxing goalkeeper, Errnichi Khadija who had earlier made some jaw-dropping saves.

Priscilla Okyere volleyed over in the 14th minute and Sandra Owusu Ansah audaciously finished it off to net her second and sparked celebrations at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Moroccans then, took over the game, dominated possession in the latter part of the first half but had nothing to show for it as the first half came to a close.

Back from recess, the second half saw both teams pressing hard with Ghana captain, Elizabeth Addo coming close in the 68th and 76th minutes but her efforts got cleared off the goal line by goalkeeper, Errnichi Khadija.

The Black Queens dominated the latter stages of the game as the two teams changed their pattern of play to conserve energy with the game ending two nil in favour of Ghana.

The Black Queens thus won 5-1 on aggregate following a come from behind 3-1 win in the reverse tie on Thursday.

The best player of the match award was presented to hard working Ghana midfielder Juliet Acheampong, as she took home a trophy for her scintillating display.

Earlier on, the U-20 side, Black Princesses defeated their counterparts 4-0 to take a 4-1 aggregate win having lost the reverse tie 1-0 on Thursday.

President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku was joined by Executive Council members Madam Habiba Attah Forson, Samuel Anim Addo and Linford Asamoah to present trophies to deserving winners.

Also present were Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association Samuel Aboabire and Simon Ehomah, Chairman of the Western Regional Football Association.

The Moroccan senior team won the fair play award, the Black Princesses were adjudged the best team and the Black Queens were the overall winners for putting up splendid performances in both games.

The friendly games form part of both teams’ preparations towards their respective international assignments in 2021. The Black Princesses will compete in qualifiers for the 2021 FIFA U20 World Cup while the Queens fight for a place at the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana Football Association President, Kurt Okraku, has filed to contest for the Executive Committee position at CAF.

According to media reports, Mr Okraku submitted has nomination form before the 12th November, 2020.

General elections will be held on March 12, 2021, in Morocco.

There are 15 Executive Committee slots available to be filled at the next CAF elections next year.

The 46-year-old is expected to face still competition from Niger’s FA President, Hamidou Djibrilla, the man who replaced former Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi as both WAFU Zone B President and a CAF Executive Committee Member.

The 2021 CAF elections could signal changes in the top hierarchy of CAF’s decision-making body following the 5-year ban handed to CAF President by FIFA Ahmad Ahmad for breaches of the FIFA Code of Ethics, with a number of his close allies in the Executive Committee expected to face stiff competition from supposed ‘outsiders’.

Meanwhile, Patrice Motsepe, Jacques Anouma, among other African football association heads have announced their decision to contest for the Caf Presidency.

Current CAF Executive committee members:

The CAF President

Members: Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia), Musa Bility (Liberia), Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia), Camara (Guinea), Rui Eduardo Costa (Angola), Adoum Djibrine (Chad), Isha Johansen (Sierra Leone), Danny Jordaan (South Africa), Amaju Pinnick (Nigeria), Leodegar Tenga (Tanzania), Suleiman Hassan Waberi (Djibouti), Djibrilla Hima Hamidou (Niger).

Co-opted members: Yahya (Mauritania), Magogo (Uganda)

From Smmy Heywood Okine

In his determination to become Ghana’s first Olympic gold medalist, 19 year old boxer Samuel Takyi has begun his mission to celebrity on a humble note as he fraternise with the big shots in the industry and also become familiar to success.

After engaging a few media attention, he was at the Ghana Olympic House on Monday at the invitation of Yours Truly where he saw photos of past Olympians.

He was happy to see the picture of Clement Ike Quartey who won the first Olympic (Silver) medal (in boxing) for Africa at the 1960 games in Rome, Professor Azumah Nelson and others.

Samuel Takyi said it is good to know much about famous sports personalities, and to know Ghana’s Olympic history before he participates in the world’s biggest sports festival as it will empower him spiritually and physically.

He thanked the Communications Directorate of the GOC for the opportunity and promised to do his best to make big name for himself, his family, Ghana and Africa.

He defeated the African number one, the All African Games gold medalist and 6^th ranked in the world, Mohammed Amou from Morocco at his first international outing in Dakar, Senegal during the Africa Tokyo 2020 Olympic Boxing Qualifiers in February.

According to the teenager, he believes if the government of Ghana takes the national boxing team, the Black Bombers out for a training tour in Cuba or Uzbekistanwill motivate them as well as sharpen their performance.

He thanked the GOC and GABF presidents for their encouragement and support.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

2019 Ghana Tennis Hall of Famer Mr. Ebenezer Odartey Annan last Saturday celebrated his 80th birthday at the Accra Lawn Tennis Club. The well attended event enjoyed substantail support from Mr. and Mrs. Mckorley, Roger Crawford, Mr. Ismaila Lamptey among others.

The birthday celebration was graced with a tournament at the Accra Lawn Tennis club. They hosted Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Tennis club. At the end of the day, the visitors beat the home team (Accra Lawn tennis Club) 5-1 in the doubles.

Speaking after the event, Mrs. Abigail Mckorley told ghanatennis.org that, "coach has been the backbone of my family becoming tennis players".

 "Coach convinced my family to build a tennis court and now the whole family loves the game. You can see the level of tennis my children are playing now. Celebrating him today is very much needed". Mrs. Mckorley added.

Coach Odartey Annan expressed profound gratitude to the Mckorley family for their unflinching support.

 Dignities present for the birthday celebration were the first Ghana Tennis Federation (GTF) Chairman Edmond Annan, Current GTF president Isaac Aboagye Duah and the board members (Ato Desbordes, Ismaila Lamptey, Henry Boni and Dorcas Sowah). Tennis Foundation Ghana President Roger Crawford,  Coach Tony Dove, Peter Annan,  Chairman of Accra Lawn tennis club George Mills and Mrs. Abigail Mckoley of Beebies Company limited.

Story: Gabriel Amoakoh

Eric Okyere, founder of High-Quality Tennis Foundation and a former Winneba Tennis Academy star donated assorted tennis equipment to the Winneba Tennis Academy as his contribution to reviving the sport at Winneba. The donated items included tennis clothes, junior rackets, tennis balls and tennis shoes.

Receiving the donation at Winneba, Head coach of Winneba Tennis Academy; Coach Noah Bagerbaseh expressed his sincerest gratitude for the gesture.

Coach Noah recalled how Mr. Okyere has always been a gentleman even as a youngster. He reiterated the call to all former Winneba Tennis Academy players to support the foundation in their effort to help the Winneba Tennis Academy.

Speaking to ghanatennis.org, Mr. Okyere thanked US based former Ghana Tennis Federation female No.1 Francisca Nyarko and Marcel Tibie Jnr. Greg Cromwell; a professor at Lancaster University in Milwauke-US and Nana Kwakye for supporting the foundation both financially and with tennis equipment.

Present for the donation were Head Coach of the Academy Noah Bagerbaseh, Kenyan based ITF coach  Albert Arthur with support from Coach Charles Abugubila , Mariama Hamidu, Henry A. Pufaa.

Story: Gabriel Amoakoh

Madam Elizabeth King, Chairperson of the Women’s Commission of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has urged journalists attached to sports federations to be proactive and resourceful in promoting their disciplines.

Speaking to the media after the one day workshop organized by the Commonwealth Games Ghana (CGA), she noted that the press has a major role to play in sports development and it is ideal that some journalists have been identified to promote the various lesser known and least financed sports to be known.

She said the workshop came at the right time, after Covid-19 has halted many events, while the resource people were on point and interesting to hear from, the lectures were modern, scientific, exciting, real, informative and educative.

According to Madam King more of such capacity building programmes need to be organized for federations administrators, coaches, secretaries and presidents.

She commended Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare, Chairman of the African Games LOC, Dr. Kobby Mensah of the UGBS and the President of the Commonwealth Games Ghana Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah as well as personnel of the CGA  for their vision and great organization.

The workshop which was under the theme: Building Brands Through Social Media attracted over 50 participants from various media organisations and sports federations. It was sponsored by Twellium Industrial, CODA, Papaye and the NSA.

Madam King was joined by Gloria Commodore of WISA and Mrs. Joyce Mahama of WOSPAG to present certificates to the participants.

By Sammy Heywood Okine