After five years of preparation, Ghana is ready to host the biggest sporting event on the African continent, with over 49 countries participating in the highly anticipated 13th African Games. It is an historic games for Ghana as they host the games for the first time since its inception in 1965, having built modern, state-of-the-art sporting facilities. The theme for the games, 'Experience the African Dream,' would celebrate the vast sporting talents on the continent as they converge in Accra to make history for themselves and countries. Ghana would have the opportunity to showcase its diverse culture to the rest of the world during the opening ceremony set for Friday, March 8, 2024, with an anticipated two billion TV and online viewers during the three-week event. Over 13,000 elite athletes from all over Africa would be competing for honours, while others would also be hoping to pick spots for this year's Olympic Games in Paris. Games Schedule Following the arrival of some nations in Accra over the pas t few days, some preliminary qualifying events are expected to get underway. on Monday, March 4, 2024. Sports disciplines like badminton, handball, and table tennis would get the prelims underway on Monday, March 4, 2024. The first medals would be up for grabs on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the badminton and table tennis events. Athletics would kick off on Monday, March 18, 2024, with a total of 174 medals up for grabs in both the men's and women's track and field events. The first swimming competition will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2024, while boxing will kick off on Friday, March 15, 2024. Cycling will also kick off on Saturday, March 9, 2024, on the Ablekuma Pokuase Highway, with a total of 78 medals up for grabs from participating countries. The Hana Hathramani Hall at the Accra Sports Stadium will host the wrestling event, while the competition venue for triathlon will be the Labadi Beach Resort. Sports disciplines and host stadiums A total of 30 sporting disciplines will feature at the 13t h African Games, with seven Olympic qualifying sporting disciplines, 16 non-Olympic qualifiers, and seven demonstration sports. The newly constructed Borteyman Sports Complex will host some games, including badminton, handball, and tennis. The world class aquatic centre at Borteyman Sports Complex would also host swimming events and some non-Olympic qualifying games, including Taekwando, Karate-do, Judo, Handball and fencing. The newly commissioned University of Ghana Sports Stadium, which will host the opening ceremony of the games, will host all track and field events. The Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Sports Stadium will host the men's football, while the women's competition will be played at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium and the Paa Kwesi Ndoum Sports Complex. The Achimota Oval will host the cricket events, while Cyling, which is an Olympic qualifier, will be hosted in Olebu and Ablekuma in Accra. The Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium will host 10 countries for both the men's and wome n's hockey events, with participating countries including South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, among others. Source: Ghana News Agency
Saïed, Algeria’s Tebboune highlight strong will to scale up relations [Upd 1]South Tongu DCE nominee finally confirmed
Presidents Kaïs Saïed and Abdelmadjid Tebboune said, as they met Saturday in Algiers, there is a strong will to carry on coordination and consultation and boost relations and take them to the next level to serve the common interests of the two peoples, the Presidency Sunday said in a press release. The heads of State, meeting as Saïed wound up an Algiers visit, laid emphasis on the need to make sure a deep awareness of a common future takes root and enshrine the principles of solidarity, complementarity and mutual help between the two countries. Saïed and Tebboune shed light on the multi-faceted and close cooperation as well as the fruitful partnership in a wide range of areas and hailed the excellent ties binding the two countries. The necessity of stepping up the pace of cooperation, mainly through High Joint Commission meetings and the different mechanisms of bilateral action, was emphasised. This in addition to the launch of joint projects in border areas in the shortest time possible. Several regiona l and international issues of common interest were debated, mainly supporting the Palestinian people in their resistance to the iniquitous Zinoist colonisation. President Saïd attended as guest of honour the 7th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Algiers. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse The President's nominee, Mr Innocent Lynford Kwesi Tetteh, has been confirmed as the new District Chief Executive (DCE) of South Tongu after the second election. He garnered 50 'Yes' votes, representing 87.7 per cent, against seven 'No' votes in the elections, supervised by the Electoral Commission. Mr Augustus Awity, the Chief Director, Volta Regional Coordinating Council, addressing the Assembly members prior to the commencement of the voting, urged them to consider the interest of the district when casting their ballots. He said a DCE would create positive avenues for the district's development. Mr Tetteh, after swearing the oath of office and secrecy, lauded the Assembly for the confidence reposed in him, and assured the members of his resolve to working with all relevant stakeholders in the district to build on the achievements of his predecessors. He promised to work assiduously to get municipal status for South Tongu. Present were Mr Setsofia Kpenu, the District Coordinating Director, traditional authorities and political party executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC). Source: Ghana News Agency
GPL Wk19: Hearts secure comeback win over Nsoatreman, Kotoko pip Gold Stars
Accra Hearts of Oak continued their blistering start to the second round after beating Nsoatreman FC 2-1 at Nana Amoah Koronmansah Park. Kassim Cisse and Salifu Ibrahim were on target for the Phobians as they recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season under their new coach, Aboubakar Ouattara. Hearts, with the three points, move into the 7th position on the league table with 27 points, while Nsoatreman FC, despite the loss, stay fourth on the table. Kumasi Asante Kotoko, after last week's defeat against Heart of Lions, bounced back to winning ways against Bibiani Gold Stars at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Friday. Peter Amidu's first half strike was enough to secure Kotoko all three points to help them move to within three points of league leaders Samartex 1996, who will play Nations FC tomorrow. Great Olympics recorded back-to-back wins after beating Heart of Lions 2-0 at Sogakope Park. Yusif Abdul Razak scored a brace for Great Olympics, as they secured all three points and moved into the top half of the table with 27 points. With Medeama and Dreams FC out of action due to their participation in Africa's club competitions, the Premier League continues tomorrow with leaders Samartex 1996 taking on Nations FC, while bottom-placed Real Tamale United will face Bofoakwa Tano. Some results of week 19: Berekum Chelsea 3-0 Karela United Legon Cities 0-0 Accra Lions FC Nsoatreman FC 1-2 Hearts of Oak Great Olympics 2-0 Heart of Lions Asante Kotoko 1-0 Bibiani Gold Stars FC Source: Ghana News Agency
West Africa Institute for Special Surgery opens at Pantang
The West Africa Institute for Special Surgery (WAISS) has officially opened a facility at Pantang. The commissioning of the facility was done with the unveiling of a logo that will inspire the delivery of excellent healthcare services to the populace. WAISS is a state-of-the-art 46-bed special surgical hospital aimed to improve access to quality and affordable surgical care in West Africa. The facility, which shares the same premises with FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital, has four operating rooms, private patient rooms, telemedicine, and family-sized consultation rooms. Its areas of focus include minimally invasive urology, Andrology and men's health, female urology, Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, Facial Paralysis and Bells Palsy, Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck cancer, and Pituitary Tumor Surgery. The rest are CSF (Brian Fluid) Leak Repair, Microvascular Reconstruction, Pediatric Craniofacial, Surgery, Facial Trauma, Sleep Surgery, Aesthetic Medicine, Interventional Spine and Pain Management among ot hers. Professor Kofi Boahene, Founder of WAISS and Foundation for Special Surgery, speaking during the opening of the Hospital, expressed appreciation to the doctors, project team, donors, volunteers, and sponsors for the support in bringing the vision of establishing the facility to life. He said WAISS was partnering FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital so they could leverage each other's expertise and not reinvent the wheel. The Baltimore-based surgeon said the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, as well as the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital were overstretched as such, the new speciality facility would help reduce the pressure on them, saying: 'This is my little way to give back to my motherland'. 'I see a great partnership between WAISS and FOCOS in future. We will combine expertise to enable us to do more over a short period, but this is a process.' Nana Professor Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, the President and Founder of FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital, commended Prof Boahen and his partners for the foresight. He said the lack of adequate manpower especially for specialty care, worsened by losing trained professionals to greener pastures abroad and the inadequate number of well-equipped facilities to train future specialists continued to be a challenge. 'Above all the inadequate healthcare financing characterised by poorly funded National Health Insurance Scheme, has made it almost impossible for many households to have access to good quality health care. Instead of good healthcare becoming a right it is now a privilege most people can't afford. 'It is for these reasons that FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital sees the partnership with WAISS as crucial to help enhance Ghana's healthcare system and Africa.' Professor Boachie-Adjei called for the cooperation of all who signed up to work at the facility to be diligent, trusting and hardworking to ensure Prof Boahene's labour was not in vain. Dr Joseph William Akornor, a Board Member and a Urologist, said the facility would help provide surgical services that were not being done in the coun try currently. 'As a Urologist, I don't think anybody is doing Robotic Surgery and Complete Urological Procedures so my goal is to bring all that technology and expertise to Ghana and West Africa,' he added. Dr Akornor said aside treatment, the Hospital would provide training to future urologists. Source: Ghana News Agency
Popular Nigerian actor Mr Ibu passes on aged 62
Famous Nollywood actor and comedian, John Okafor, aka Mr Ibu, has died at the age of 62. The renowned actor who has graced the movie screens for more than two decades died at the Evercare Hospital, in Lagos on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Mr. Ibu has over the past months been admitted to the hospital, where he was undergoing surgery for the clotting of blood in his leg, stemming from diseased blood vessels. This, together with other illnesses, led to the amputation of the affected leg in November last year and was reported to be making progress over the past few weeks. News of his death has sent shock waves on social media, with fans expressing their condolences to the Okafor family following their great loss. Mr. Ibu's journey in the film industry made him a movie legend not only in Nigeria but across Africa, considering his distinctive style and infectious humour. He appeared in hundreds of movies both in Ghana and Nigeria, including the household hit Mr Ibu in London, Police Recruit, and Issakaba. Sour ce: Ghana News Agency