Six popular disability sporting entities in Ghana have been awarded sports kits to be used for their activities and competitions.

Madam Ann Marrie. a representative from Captain Barron Foundation presented the items to a number of foundations.

The beneficiaries are Mighty Football Club, Ghana Deaf Football Association, Ghana Blind Football Association, Ayawaso CP Football Club, Ghana Amputee Football, Up and Shine Foundation and Special Olympics

The Items donated include jerseys, football boots, bibs and gloves.

She said Captan Barron Foundation wishes to empower the disability sports entities so that they would be able to compete in their various disciplines.

"We believe in empowerment of individuals to be able to compete indiscriminately for love, joy and happiness, no matter the obstacles" she expressed.

She noted that they promote resilience and encourage inclusion.

Brentford Football Club donated the items to Barron Foundation for distribution to the various beneficiaries in para sports.

 Mr. Isaac Anaman, a representative from Captain Barron Foundation said the items were just a token as they promise to make bigger interventions in the future to support the physically challenged sporting heroes.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Bronx Boxing Club members and Yours Truly bid farewell to John Abaja. Laryea as he left Accra Ghana for the USA to make his American debut.

Laryea said he is from a ghetto in Bukom and could have been a bad boy, but boxing saved his life when he met Coach Carl Lokko, and now he is on the big stage at Caribe Royale, Orlando, Florida, USA.

“I really appreciate what Coach Carl Lokko and CEO Sammy Anim Addo and others have done in my life, I thank everyone and promise to fight the bout of my life to win” he said.

“With God Everything Is Possible” said Mr. Sammy Anim Addo.

John Laryea fights Alex Mejia of Nicaragua on November 1.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Golf Association (GGA) has organized a one day training programme for sports journalists aimed at furnishing them to be appreciative with the sport.

The event took place Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Bok Nam Kim Golf Club near Burma Camp where participants were taken through the equipment, techniques, rules and terminologies in the game for proper reporting.

The media practitioners were made to feel the golf course, play with the club, taking different strokes with the objective of knowing the rudiments of playing and scoring.

Mr. Leonard Kwaku Okyere, president of the Ghana Golf Association expressed gratitude the journalists, mostly members of Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) for their participation and help to spread the word to Ghanaians that golf is not an exclusive sport for the rich.

“I thank you for coming and hope that we help push golf to the wider Ghanaian audience. I also want to clear the misconception that golf is only reserved for the rich.”

“The only difference between golf and other sports is that you need a little bit of patience and it can also let us know when you are an honest person or dishonest based on what you do on the course,” Leonard Kwaku Okyere said.

Mr. Solomon Allotey, Secretary of the GGA named some of the upcoming tournaments as the Asantehene Open Golf Championship (Kumasi), Ghana Open Golf Championship (Kumasi), Accra Golf Championship, Tafo Golf Open Championship (Tafo) and the PGA Tournament in Damang later in the season.

All the participants were content with the programme and even called for frequent of such exercises for the media to provide more publicity and promotion of golf in Ghana.

Some of the lessons from the programme was Golf is Integrity, Credibility and Honesty.

It was also established that golf is not a game for rich people or the affluent in society, while golf can be played by people above 60 years.

The meeting also formed the platform to promote Ghana golf activities on social media.

Present at the seminar was Col John Armah Okai (rtd) captain of Bok Nam Kin Club, Mr. Rodney Odoi and Mr. Chris Atadeka who shared some insights on marketing, creating links and partnerships in golf.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Joseph Agbeko aka Fresh King Kong Takes Boxing To People

The New Generation Fight Night to be organised by Joseph Agbeko Foundation at Kitase is gaining popularity, publicity and awareness.

The Kitase Basket Court at Kitase, Peduase in the Eastern Region will be the action spot on November 8, 2024 when the New Generation Boxing Tournament comes alive to give the community some entertainment in sports during their festival.

Benedict Badoo,a new sensational light heavyweight who is the nephew of Joseph Agbeko, the Fresh King is on the bill. He fights experienced George Amuzu in his professional debut.

The Fresh King Kong said the bill is for the new generation and will feature juvenile and amateur bouts – Stars of the future.

He thanked the chiefs in the Kitase area for their massive support.

President of the Foundation Joseph Agbeko aka Torgbui Kaletor II is a two time IBF Bantamweight Champion who worked with Don King. He is organising this event which is also promoting local tourism in collaboration with Game TV.  The bill has been sanctioned by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).

Agbeko who also won the IBO world title said the people in the Eastern Region deserve to celebrate with the nation's number one sport, which is boxing at their festival.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Some exciting boxers of the Wisdom Boxing Gym will display their talents at the gym premises on Saturday October 26 when they host Gloves of Africa in an exhibition show,

On the bill are Wesley Ayi Bonte, Henry Owusu, Philimon Lomotey and Caleb Mensah. Below are the pairings:

1.Seun Arowolo (NGR) VS. Leonard Azumah Edem (GHA)

2.Wesley Ayi Bonte (WBC) VS. Mohammed Ablorh (RBC)

3.James Okoe​ (GHA) VS.Fatiou Laurent Sarouna (TGO) 57Kg

4.Stephen Armah ( Akotoku Academy) Vs Henry Owusu ( WBC)57Kg

5: Bright Okoe ​(BESESAKA/ WBC) VS. Richmond Commey (BPB) 48KG

6. Philimon Lomotey (WBC) VS. Gabriel Tetteh (Seconds Out) (Juvenile)

7.Adelaide Gabatey VS. Sunday (Female Bout)

8. Caleb Mensah (BESESAKA/ GHA VS. Mouftao Léonard Sarouna (TGO) 54KG
9. TBT (WBC) VS TBT (Attoh Quarshie)

By Sammy Heywood Okine

John Abaja Laryea aka 'The Expensive Boxer' who makes his debut in the USA on November 1 at Caribe Royale, Orlando against Alexander Mejia from Nicaragua says he is taking first bout like a world title.

"My target is the world title, but I am taking this first opportunity in the USA as a title fight because winning will motivate me and my team and colleagues to get better. I am goingto shock the world" he said in an exclusive interview.

The undefeated young boxer with 14 bouts, 13 victories and one draw said he will win to make his trainer happy.

Coach Carl Lokko of the Bronx Gym discovered him and turned him pro at age 18.

Now 22, Laryea feels he has gone through all the training rudiments that makes one a world champion.

He had the privilege to train with Coach Don Charles, trainer of IBF World Heavyweight champ, Daniel Dubois.

"My coach has made world champions and he will certainly make me a world title holder, I am very mush grateful to coach Lokko and my manager, Sammy Anim Addo for the opportunity they have given me, and I am going to make them proud".

He noted that there is no juju or medicine in boxing except training.

"The juju in boxing is training and at Bronx Gym we train hard and well, that is why we have many young champions, we also support each other" he expressed.

John Laryea who is a two times WBO Africa Featherweight champion said since he beat tough Namibian Nathanael Sebastianus to win the African title, it has been difficult to get opponents as everyone is afraid to face him, so he has to move outside Africa to the USA where there are many boxers to challenge.

"I am going to the USA to learn and win for Ghana" he noted.

"I want to appreciate and thank all my fans at Jamestown, Bukom and Chorkor Level One, they have shown real love and I will not disappoint, they should keep on praying for the Team Laryea" he added.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Reports reaching Yours Truly indicate that there is a rush for tickets to watch the first ever Sweet Palm Wine Music Film at the Silver Bird Cinema.

The TICKETS are going for Gh100.

One SCAN the QR CODE, *713*33*599# on the next slide to buy, or Walk to Zen Garden, Labone Accra and buy or Call 0500561836 to place your order and you'll be served or Download the Silverbird app and buy.

Kwan Pa , the award-winning Ghanaian band is set to release their debut musical drama movie titled Sweet Palm Wine, on October 26 in cinemas across Accra, Ghana.

The film follows a family of three who return to their village home due to economic hardship in the city. It features Kwan Pa’s signature palm wine music, a genre that fuses highlife, jazz and traditional Ghanaian rhythms. Kwan Pa, known for popularizing palm wine music, has produced an exciting new soundtrack to accompany the film. The soundtrack “Sweet Palm Wine”, also includes their popular EP “Palm Wine Music”, and will be released October 25 ahead of the movie premiere.

The soundtrack includes nine songs in the palm wine style Kwan Pa is known for, with lyrics in English, Twi, Ewe and Ga. It also includes a track by Kwan Pa leader Asah Nkansah and their producer Kojosteve.

“We wanted to create a musical experience that showcases Ghana’s rich culture and heritage” said Asah, Kwan Pa;s bandleader.

“Sweet Palm Wine combines drama, humor and our style of palm wine music to tell a story of family and overcoming adversity and finding love”

Kwan Pa formed in 2016 and has since gained popularity across Ghana and West Africa for their energetic and melodic take on palm wine music. They have performed at major stages in Dubai, Moscow, and Qatar and won multiple awards for best traditional band in Ghana. The band is known for songs like 5 days of Christmas, The Kontomire Song & Felix Cannot Dance”;

Sweet Palm Wine is produced by Wahala Entertainment, their record label, and directed by Wael H. Hakim. It also stars Fred Amugi, Pascaline Edwards, Aaron Adatsi, Willie Chambers, Ricky Kofi Adelayitar and Rosa K.O Mensah just to name a few. The film musical score incorporates Kwan Pa signature sound and new songs created especially for the movie.

“We re excited to share this musical experience on the big screen” said Wael, the film director.

Kwan Pa music is the heart and soul of this film.

Their palm wine style brings so much joy and life to the story Sweet Palm Wine will premiere in silver bird cinemas in Accra on October 26. Kwan Pa soundtrack with the same title will be released digitally worldwide on October 25.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Gloves for Africa Representatives in Ghana for Boxing Show

Representatives pf Gloves for African, an international NGO for boxing, Seun Arowolo aka Ulgy wolf boxer and Femilee Olawuyi Creative Director and African Coordinator are in the motherland to do some donations and engage in a boxing show at Sowutuom.

The founder of Gloves for Africa is Chuks Uwaechia.

They were welcomed by Ms. Sarah Lotus Asare of the Wisdom Boxing Gym.

Gloves for Africa will be hosted by the Wisdom Boxing Gym in Accra.

According to Ms. Sarah Lotus Asare, administrator of the Gym, the mission of Gloves for Africa is to engage with young individuals in underprivileged communities, providing them with the tools and opportunities to succeed.

As part of this effort, they will be visiting schools to donate essential school supplies and empower the youth through boxing – a powerful tool to instill discipline, motivation, and resilience.

Gloves for Africa aim to help these young champions become role models and positive influences within their communities.

This initiative is made possible through the generous support of their partners, including @tkoelitegym, @hastings_kickboxing_academy, @lancebox_group , @kenthousing01, and many others who share our vision.

They have brought a collection of boxing gloves that will be distributed to as many young people as possible.

“But they are not just handing out gloves – Gloves for Africa is offering hope, encouragement, and the belief that they can overcome challenges and reach their full potential. These gloves symbolize the strength to rise above and become champions both in the ring and in life” Sarah Lotus Asare expressed.

Gloves For African and Wisdom Boxing Gym have a line of of boxing action on October 26 at the Wisdom Boxing Gym:

1.Seun Arowolo (NGR) VS. Leonard Azumah Edem (GHA)

2.Wesley Ayi Bonte  (WBC ) VS. Mohammed Ablorh (RBC)

3.James Okoe (GHA) VS.Fatiou Laurent Sarouna (TGO) 57Kg

4.Stephen Armah ( Akotoku Academy) Vs Henry Owusu (WBC)57Kg

5: Bright Okoe (BESESAKA/ WBC) VS. Richmond Commey (BPB) 48KG

6. Philimon Lomotey (WBC) VS. Gabriel Tetteh (Seconds Out) (Juvenile )

7.Adelaide Gabatey VS. Sunday (female Bout)

8. Caleb Mensah (BESESAKA/ GHA VS. Mouftao Léonard Sarouna (TGO) 54KG
9. TBT (WBC) VS TBT (Attoh Quarshie)

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Six Black Rockets (National Junior Boxing Team) as well as Coach Charles Quartey have received their accreditations to go about the business of winning medals for Ghana at the 2024 IBA world youth championships in Montenegro.

The Rockets have begun their preparations for the tournament and Coach Charles Quartey belives they will bring home medals. He said they trained for eight month in Accra before going for the championship.

The Rockets trip was made fruitfull by the hard work of Vice President of the GBF Alhaji Dauda Fuseni and some of the executives of the federation.

BOXUP, a UK based boxing kits firm also supported the Black Rockets.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Accra, October 22, 2024 – MTN Ghana recently celebrated Global Ethics Day with an insightful podcast conversation centered on anti-bribery and corruption. Aligning with the global theme "Ethics Empowered" MTN Ghana's local theme, "Heightening Anti-Bribery and Corruption Practices", underscored its commitment to ethical business practices.

The Ethics Podcast showcased MTN's comprehensive training and awareness programs focused on anti-bribery and corruption, emphasizing prevention and a steadfast zero-tolerance policy.

The podcast complements MTN’s ongoing training and awareness initiatives on the company’s anti-bribery and corruption policy.

Commenting on the celebration, Mr. Joseph Dogbe, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer for MTN Ghana, stated, “This year, we focused on anti-bribery and corruption, which is a critical risk area.

We are committed to promoting business ethics to ensure MTN's sustainability and growth. This celebration reaffirms MTN’s dedication to ethics and integrity while promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.”

During the event, panelists from various divisions within MTN Ghana and Mobile Money Limited discussed existing processes, systems, and technologies that support their operations in preventing bribery and corruption. They also highlighted the company’s consequence management processes, demonstrating the actions MTN would take in response to any incidents of bribery and corruption, in line with its commitment to zero tolerance for unethical behaviors.

The panelists emphasized that the values and ethical principles of MTN Ghana are not only vital for the company’s sustainability and protection of stakeholder interests but also play a crucial role in enabling MTN staff to positively influence the larger society.

Participants were encouraged to report any unethical behavior through the company’s anonymous whistleblowing channel and to seek guidance from the Ethics Office when faced with ethical dilemmas.

MTN Ghana is steadfast in its commitment to upholding ethics and integrity in business practices.

In 2023, the company organized activities focused on combating harassment and discrimination, while the emphasis in 2022 was on fraud prevention.

About MTN Ghana

MTN Ghana is the market leader in the mobile telecommunications industry in Ghana, offering subscribers a range of exciting options under Pay As You Go, Pay Monthly and Mobile Financial Services. The company is part of the MTN Group which is a leading emerging market leader with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. Scancom PLC is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Our strategy is Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.

Source MTN