Mr. George Lamptey, President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) has expressed his condolence on the death of former President Jerry John Rawlings.

He said the whole national boxing team, the Black Bombers including the technical staff and administration are shocked and sad, but it is the doing of the Almighty who gives and takes away.

He recalled that the late J. J. Rawlings was a keen boxing lover who contributed to Ghana boxing greatly when he was team manager of the Ghana Armed Forces Boxing team.

He added that during the reign of Rawlings, he inspired boxers like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Nana Yaw Konadu and Alfred Kotey to become world champions.

He prayed that His Excellency will get a fitting burial as it is a great loss not only to Ghana, but Africa and the world.

“Chairman Rawlings was a great leader, and we loved him for his charisma and inspiration, May he rest in peace” he said.

He revealed that the Black Bombers have begun non residential camping and are training at the Accra Sports Stadium against up coming international competitions.

He prayed for one or two boxers qualify to join Samuel Takyi and Suleiman Tetteh for the 2020 Olympic Games.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaians in the British Army, the GH Squaddies have expressed shock and dismay at the reports on the death of former President Jerry John Rawlings who passed on Thursday morning, November 12, 2020.

Sergeant William Sakyi Ofei, frontrunner of the GH Squaddies said they take a lot of inspiration from the ex charismatic personality and could not believe the news of the death of the ex soldier who became one of the most admirable statesmen in Africa.

He said ex President Rawlings was an epitome of a brave and disciplined soldier, who motivated many people in Ghana, Africa and elsewhere.

“We Salute Him” he stressed.

According to Sakyi Ofei, a member of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) they are touched by the loss, and can take inspiration to work harder to save humanity.

He expressed that a big tree has fallen, and he can not be replaced like the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who was the founder of the nation, J. J. Rawlings who reigned for over 20 years was the architect of the fourth republic.

His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings was an award winning military (pilot) man, who led to the re - institution of democracy in Ghana. He believed in government by the people.

He was affable, assiduous, gentle, strict, a performer, meticulous and a sportsman; he loved athletics, boxing, horse riding and above a flying. He died at the age of 73.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that clubs will observe a minute silence for former President Jerry John Rawlings this weekend when the new Premier League season starts.

On Thursday November 12 2020, the entire country was thrown into a state of mourning and intense wailing when news broke that the former leader of the Republic had joined his ancestors.

As the football fraternity joins the entire populace to mourn the ex-President, the Ghana FA has directed clubs to pay tribute to him before their Matchday 1 fixtures in the 20/21 Premier League this weekend.

“Premier League Clubs will observe a minute silence before kick-off at all match venues this weekend as a mark of respect for His Excellency, Jerry John Rawlings who passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020,” a statement from the country’s football governing body has said.

The new Ghana Premier League season is scheduled to commence on Saturday, November 14, 2020, with defending champions Aduana Stars hosting Hearts of Oak.

Then later on Monday, November 16, 2020, Inter Allies will play against Dreams FC for the final fixture of the Matchday.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Stars captain Andre Ayew has dedicated Ghana’s win against Sudan to Jerry John Rawlings as he notes that players fought hard to get the result to honour the deceased former President.

The founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) passed on Thursday hours before the Black Stars faced off with their counterpart from Sudan in the qualifiers to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

At the end of 90 minutes at the Cape Coast Stadium, a brace from Andre Ayew handed Ghana a 2-0 win against Sudan.

Speaking after the game, the Swansea City star says the team dedicates the win to the decease former president Jerry John Rawlings.

“I think we fought hard to get a win in honour of His Excellency J.J Rawlings. We know the history and his contribution to the growth of Ghana so the win is dedicated to him,” Andre Ayew said in a post-match interview.

The attacker continued, “These are hard times for the family but we wish them well. May God comfort and bless them.”

The entire country continues to mourn the former president with clubs extending their condolences to the family of Jerry John Rawlings.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Stars coach Charles Kobina Akonnor has expressed his appreciation to his players after registering a 2-0 win against Sudan in his first competitive game since taking over of the team.

Earlier this year in January, the former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko trainer was appointed as the new head coach for the Black Stars by the new Ghana Football Association (GFA) administration.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, he has had to wait 10 months to play his first competitive game with the Ghana male senior national team.

On Thursday evening, he won against Sudan at the Cape Coast Stadium by 2 goals to nothing from captain Andre Ayew.

Reacting to his first competitive win in charge of the Black Stars, he thanked his players for showing commitment on the field of play.

“I feel good, I am grateful to the players for showing a lot of commitment. The preparation was a difficult situation but in the end, we won and it feels good,” Coach CK Akonnor said at the post-match press conference.

Ghana will play the second leg of the tie against Sudan in the qualifiers to the 2021 AFCON tournament in Onduman.

That game which could see Ghana seal qualification to the tournament is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Experienced boxing trainers, Ofori Asare and Carl Lokko as well as renowned promoter, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye all believe 31 year old Emmanuel 'Game Boy' Tagoe (31-1, 15 KOs) now based in the US has the best chance of being Ghana's next world champion:

“Tagoe has been there for a very long time. With the experience he has garnered over the years, he stands tall for me among the other fighters,” Coach Lokko told BoxingAfrica.com.

Coach Ofori Asare added “Tagoe is a very tactical fighter and that alone could have secured him a world title but he is not getting any younger. He needs to start fighting the top opponents.”

Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, CEO of Box Office Sports Promotions :

“He has everything needed in a fighter to be a champion. I’m sure that is why he is finding it difficult to get his chance. Tagoe is the one I see to as Ghana’s next champion. The only thing left is for him to get a tune up fight to stay in shape.”

From Don Plato

President Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo-Addo on Friday morning visited Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings to console the family on the death of former President Jerry John Rawlings.

President Akufo-Addo led a government delegation to the Ridge residence of the former president following an official communication of the death to the government on Thursday evening.

An entourage of key members of the government accompanied President Akufo-Addo to the Ridge residence of the former President Rawlings where President Akufo-Addo met and interacted with former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.

The president's arrival at the house of the late former president was preceded by that of other government officials including the Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia in the company of his wife; the Chief of Staff, Frema Opare; and the National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party, Freddie Blay.

Daily Graphic

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) has directed that all sporting events be held behind closed doors following a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

The decision was announced by the Communication Consultant of the MOYS, Mr Ahmed Osman Halid today at a press briefing in Accra.

Mr Halid said the decision which will affect the Ghana Premier League is in-line with the recent COVID-19 protocol directive by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to organise football matches without spectators.

"In-line with the directive of CAF to organise football matches behind closed doors, without spectators in the midst of COVID-19 spike globally, the Ministry of Youth and Sports directs that all sporting events including the Premier League matches should be organised behind closed doors and without spectators," he said.

"All teams must also ensure testing of their team members as required for the matches, any team without COVID-19 test clearance will not be allowed into any of our sporting facilities for training or for matches. The Ministry wishes all teams well in the coming sporting events".

From Sammy Heywood Okine

As part of efforts to confirm support for its sponsored clubs, Betway has made donations to three of Ghana Premier League (GPL) clubs it sponsors.

The donation which was made to the representatives of Aduana Stars, Ashantigold and Liberty Professionals included soccer balls, agility ladders, training bibs and other sport equipment to assist the clubs to prepare for the new league season.

Magnus Rex Danquah Jnr, Betway’s Country Manager of Operations, during the presentation mentioned that the brand has always supported the development of sports in the country through Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).

Mr Danquah explained that his outfit made donations to the Amputee League teams, Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) and Golden Ahafo Deaf FC in the past and through the Betway Talent Search and Betway 12 Man Projects, the brand has supported upcoming footballers and former Ghanaian players.

“The donation comes at a time when sponsored clubs are preparing for the season after the long break. We expect the items to help upskill the players as they get ready for the season.

“We trust their output in the season will uplift the communities they call home and the GPL in totality,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Liberty, Linda Ansong, thanked Betway for continuously supporting them. She was confident that the equipment received will go a long way in supporting the teams as they work towards the new season.

Aduana Stars will take on Accra Hearts of Oak at the Agyemang Badu II Stadium at Dormaa-Ahenkro on November 14 in their first match of the 2020/21 GPL season.

From Elizabeth Alhassan