MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett has revealed his sporting side during an interaction with some of his staff and selected media on Wednesday to celebrate his first year in office.

The 'Time with Stephen' at the MTN Ghana Media Centre at Ridge, Accra was well attended by guests from the industrial, media and telecom fraternities, with Emefa leading as the moderator.

Mr. Blewett married for 33 years with children supports Manchester United, but he is not happy because in recent times they are no longer winning the big trophies.

He also loves and enjoys taking part in the half marathon.

Blewett has participated in the Johannesburg, Cape Town. Paris and London marathons.

He believes in working together with people to solve problems and achieve.

He enjoys Highlife music. Daddy Lumba is his favourite Ghanaian artiste.

The seasoned telecom executive with over 25 years of experience in the industry stated working at MTN Ghana from April 1, 2024, he had previously worked in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Cameroun, Benin and Jamaica operating for Telkom Mobile, MCell, MTC, and MTN.

He also revealed that he studied accounting, loves numbers, loves reading and solving problems.

According to Stephen when he was coming to Ghana, his major problems was fear, but he has overcome with the beautiful hospitable people and sites. He now wants legacies to be built and a transformation of the telecom industry.

He said MTN has been reinventing $200million in infrastructure and maintenance that keeps them going and growing.

Two questions he always ask are.. How to do things better and what will customers say?

By Sammy Heywood Okine

MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett has revealed his sporting side during an interaction with some of his staff and selected media on Wednesday to celebrate his first year in office.

The 'Time with Stephen' at the MTN Ghana Media Centre at Ridge, Accra was well attended by guests from the industrial, media and telecom fraternities, with Emefa leading as the moderator.

Mr. Blewett married for 33 years with children supports Manchester United, but he is not happy because in recent times they are no longer winning the big trophies.

He also loves and enjoys taking part in the half marathon.

Blewett has participated in the Johannesburg, Cape Town. Paris and London marathons.

He believes in working together with people to solve problems and achieve.

He enjoys Highlife music. Daddy Lumba is his favourite Ghanaian artiste.

The seasoned telecom executive with over 25 years of experience in the industry stated working at MTN Ghana from April 1, 2024, he had previously worked in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Cameroun, Benin and Jamaica operating for Telkom Mobile, MCell, MTC, and MTN.

He also revealed that he studied accounting, loves numbers, loves reading and solving problems.

According to Stephen when he was coming to Ghana, his major problems was fear, but he has overcome with the beautiful hospitable people and sites. He now wants legacies to be built and a transformation of the telecom industry.

He said MTN has been reinventing $200million in infrastructure and maintenance that keeps them going and growing.

Two questions he always ask are.. How to do things better and what will customers say?

By Sammy Heywood Okine

History beacons Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey as he faces David Tagoe for UBO Super Flyweight title

National champion Theophilus “Lopez” Allotey will square up with David “The One” Tagoe at the Bukom Boxing Arena on April 20 for the UBO Super Flyweight title.

The 10 x 3 rounder UBO Africa Super Flyweight Championship is one of the main undercards of the much anticipated National Super Middleweight Championship between Ernest Akushey aka Baubali and Jonathan Tetteh aka 'Worldwide'

According to Sarah Lotus Asare, administrator of the Wisdom Boxing Gym where Theo Allotey trains, they are optimistic of victory as they have prepared well and want to use it as a springboard to leap into the African and World rankings.

Allotey is undefeated with 10 bouts since turning professional after an exciting amateur adventure which saw him representing Ghana at the qualifiers of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the 2023 African Games.

Tagoe (11-3-1) is also a durable boxer who is not going to let this opportunity fly past him and will also do his best to win.

This is a classic clash and boxing fans are going to enjoy.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Johnson Gameli Kweku Kportufe, President of Ghana Skate has appealed to the Minister of Sports & Recreation, Hon Kofi Adams to consider adding sports infrastructure development to the resetting Ghana Sports Agenda.

Speaking to Yours Truly on The Punchline on Omashi TV last Tuesday evening, he suggested that when building sports facilities consideration must be given to other sports like Skating.

He noted that Skating has changed the lives of some youth, and wished that there would be more Skate Parks in Ghana like in Benin and Senegal who have taken sports to a different level.

He said Ghana has vast sports talents but they are not tapped and groomed to become international super stars, however the nation is dwelling and investing in only football.

According to him, there are many events under Skating such as Roller Ball and many others, but Ghana has adopted six and what to develop and promote.

He hinted that there are two different skateboarding disciplines at the Olympics: park and street. With male and female categories open for both disciplines, there are a total of four skateboarding events at the Games.

The World Skate Games are a multi-sport event that serves as the World Championship of 11 disciplines: alpine, artistic, inline downhill, inline freestyle, inline hockey, rink hockey, roller derby, roller freestyle, scooter, skateboard, and speed.

He also mentioned Vert Skating, Aggressive inline skating, Inline freestyle skating, Inline figure skating, Inline hockey, Inline skater hockey, Inline speed skating, Roller soccer.

Mr. Kportufe appealed to the media to promote the lesser known sports as Ghanaians can also win in those sports and gain some employment or activity to engage in.

Speaking on the recent tragic event in boxer which a Nigerian lost his life, he expressed that it is time the sports leaders get serious and apply all rules and regulations well and fairly.

He said the health of all sports men and women should be paramount and athletes must be educated on their health, things to do and not to do and discipline.

He urged more youth to join Skating as it can take them to their dreamlands.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Coach John Oppong Welbeck, a participant of the recent Psychology Course organized by the University of Education, Winneba and the National Sports Authority (NSA) has hailed the programme and the organisers.

He commended his classmates who also contributed to make the course very successful, coming from different backgrounds and various sports disciplines, as well as media practitioners.

Speaking on Omashi TV Sports Show, The Punchline, he noted that Psychology is about human behavior, mindset and consciousness and in sports it is related to how leaders must act with players to ensure total delivery and positive results.

He expressed that football players come from different homes and places to join the national team, and the coach must ensure that they live and play in harmony, respect, peace, love and unity. 

“Handling young guys, you must prove to be a father figure and teacher” he stressed.

Oppong Welbeck spoke about the Black Stars and congratulated the team and technical staff, as well as the boldness of Coach Otto Addo to feature local goalkeeper Benjamin Asare and Razak Simpson who came on in the latter stages.

According to him the inclusion of local players who merit the call up is ideal, and prayed that they are positioned at roles they can play very well.

“I know Razak Simpson of Nations FC very very well and he can be a good partner with Thomas Partey, playing behind him to strengthen the midfield and allow more attacking options, he can play with the foreign based players like Mohammed Salisu and Alexander Djiku ” he said.

He also had thoughts on the new yellow jersey of the Black Stars as very nice and ‘lucky’ because Ghana scored eight goals in two matches on clean sheets.

He thanked Kurt Okraku, the GFA President for the opportunity offered him to assist Nii Odartey Lamptey and Awudu Issaka to scout, nurture and groom the National Under 16 Team.

John Oppong Welbeck is a beneficiary of the Five Years Development Plan of the late Ben Koufie, and has trained and coached numerous players and clubs in many countries.

“It is a great privilege to serve mother Ghana and I pray that we bring back the glory days of Black Starlets and leave our mark” he added.

By Sammy Heywood Okine  

Attram de Visser against Golden Kick

Asante Kotoko versus Berekum Chelsea

The Tarkwa TNA Stadium has been chosen by organisers of the 2024/25 MTN FA Cup to host the Semifinals of the exciting competition.

The Chairman of the MTN FA Cup Committee, Wilson Arthur, told the media that Tarkwa will be the venue for the MTN FA cup fever on the weekend of May 9 to 12.

The quarterfinals took place in Kumasi and dished out thrilling encounters, climaxing in Asante Kotoko, Berekum Chelsea, Golden Kick, and Attram de Visser makng it to the final four.

The FA Cup Committee decided to stage the semifinals in Tarkwa, a decision aimed at creating a festive football atmosphere.

According to Arthur highlighted the vision behind the move: “It’s a good thing to create a mini-festival out of the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final,” he stressed.

He highlighted the importance of appropriate preparations to enhance fan engagement: “It means that we will have to do a lot more work, and we don’t have to play games on a Saturday. We are having the semifinals at Tarkwa TNA Park.”

Attram de Visser will face Golden Kick, while Asante Kotoko play Berekum Chelsea.

By Sammy Heywood okine

Michael Ansah aka One Bullet will return to the Bukom Boxing Arena on Nana's Promotions bill on April 25, 2025 to face Bekzod Kholdorov in an international bout.

The talented boxer who was disorganised by young Derrick Quaye said he is coming back to redeem his image and step up for a new development in his career.

Ansah said he has learnt a lot and will not disappoint his fans.

He thanked Nana's Promotions for giving him another opportunity and platform to showcase that he is ready and really back.

Ansah was supposed to get a crack at the Commonwealth title.

"He.is ever ready, and will give boxing fans a good show" said One Life, the match maker

He hinted that there are very good young up and coming boxers who can be labelled as the stars of the future on the bill.

Some of the quality boxers are Tamba Merlin, Roger Landy Delis, Gideon Nortey, Jessie Lartey, Ernest Ampah, Abdul Rasheed Tagoe,  Kevin Oduro, Michael Dadzie, Felix Mankatah,  Godfred Brown and Charles Zimaal aka 'The Redeemer'

He promised that security will be tight bit very friendly.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Samuel Darkwa Agyei, managing partner of SP Sport Management has sent his message of condolences to the family of 40 year old Nigerian boxer, Gabriel Oluwasegun who passed on last Saturday after collapsing during an international light heavyweight concert against Jon Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

He said the tragedy has touched SP Sports and they want to share their love and support in this critical moment.

He noted that lessons should be learnt from the incident and health as well as safety of boxers should be taken very seriously.

He emphasised that the welfare of boxers especially the older aged 40 and above should be managed very well.

According to Mr. Samuel Darkwa Agyei, boxing is a sports and entertainment that has bought Ghana and Nigeria together and the collaboration and contributed to the development and progress of African boxing.

SP Sport Management takes care of George Faho Mensah, a great rising star, Haruna Mohammed, the national cruiserweight champion and other boxers.

By Sammy Heywood Okine    

After the thrilling Quarter Finals at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi over the week end, the stage is now set for the Semi Finals and Grand Final.

As expected, Asante Kotoko are through to the Semi Final of the MTN FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over True Democracy.

Kwame Opoku’s late winner sent the Porcupines into the last four of the exciting competition. In fact it was heartbreaking for True Democracy, who left everything on the pitch.

Earlier in an all Premier Division clash, Berekum Chelsea had won by a lone goal against Bechem and fans are asking if, after winning the MTN FA Cup in 2022, can Samuel Boadu do it for the Blues?

Premier side Karela United were beaten on penalties 5-3 by giant killers, Golden Kick. Fatawu Mohammed’s penalty miss saw Karela suffer elimination from the hands of Division One club, Golden Kick who want to make a statement.

On Saturday, Attram De Visser beat Pac Academy 5-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 in another interesting fixture to qualify to the Semi Final.

The MTN FA Cup is the biggest and one of the prestigious tournament which involves clubs from all over the country.

The sponsors also provide attractive rewards for fans, officials and the clubs.

The Semi Finals have been fixed for May 9 to 12 and the grand finals scheduled for June 14/ 15.

This year’s tournament has been exciting, with clubs like Golden Kick creating panic and some sensational results.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko who want to close the gap between them and rivals in wins of the FA Cup are very serious and eager to dominate and win, but Berekum Chelsea can spring a surprise.

Another club that needs to be watched is Attram De Visser who have proved their consistency and improving day by day.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Celebrity Golf Club at Sakumono in the nation’s capital will once again come to life with the game of golf as feverish preparations are under way for the 2025 Giti Tyres President’s Putter championship.

Being one of the prestigious golf tournaments on the calendar of the Celebrity Golf Club, the Giti Tyres President Putter is set to tee off on April 1 with over two hundred golfers consisting of professionals and amateurs who are expected to compete separately in the competition.

The tournament, expected to last five days, is being put together by Wonders Rising Stars Golf Academy with sponsorship from Giti Tyres and Tang Palace Hotel. Over two hundred golfers will compete in the tournament which is staged annually to honour the president of the Celebrity Golf Club Tang Hong for his leadership role within the club and contribution towards the development of the game in the country.

Fifty pros from different clubs across the country after competing in the just ended PGA Captain’s Prize tournament at Achimota will now focus their attention on the Giti Tyres President’s Putter tournament with much interest. Knowing very well the attractive prize money at stake, most pros are warming up themselves ahead of their category competition which will end on 4 th April at Sakumono.

The amateur golfers on other hand will get on the course on the final day of the competition and battle for the juicy prizes which will be up for grabs at the closing ceremony.

According to the lead organizer, John Mawuli Nyarko, all is set for the championship to start and hope the best of golf would be displayed especially from the pros who will be competing for cash prizes not forgetting the bragging rights.

The president of the Celebrity Golf Club, Tang Hong in an interview with a section of the media indicated that the golf championship will always bring out the best of organization on the part of organizers and sponsors, adding that the competition will create the platform for a Ghanaian - Chinese relationship to be strengthened.

Source Phil John Quartey