Sports
35 students graduate from Salon Service Hair and Beauty Academy
Thirty-five students of Accra based Salon Services Hair and Beauty Academy last weekend graduated after undergoing a year and half study in Cosmetology.
The event, held at the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Hall, was under the theme ‘Improving our skills through training for financial independence and self-empowerment.
Administrator of the School, Ms Claudia Nanabea Addo Twum said the graduation was held for the 2000 year group students each of which undertook studies in cosmetology, beauty therapy, hair technology and make-up artistry.
Ms Rose Ocquaye was adjudged the Overall Best Student with Janet Boatemaa following in second position.
Aside that, the best three students in all the related courses were presented with special awards.
In shampooing and roller setting, Ms Mercy Barnor emerged top with Tania Addy and Janet Boahemaa following in first and second runners up; the same as Manicure and Pedicure where Rose Ocquaye, Lily Quaynor and Janet Boahemaa were the best three.
Ms Rose Ocquaye came up tops again in Nail Extension ahead of Portia Sam and Djariatu Lauriano with Leah Adjetey winning the best award for Braids followed by Portia Sam and Georgina Hughton.
Mercy Barnor and Janet Boatemaa emerged the first two in Relaxing; Rose Ocquaye, Nancy Kodua and Priscilla were the top three in Colouring; Rose Ocquaye, Djariatu Lauriano and Belinda Akpah won honours in Facials and Waxing.
Ms Micheline Addy was adjudged the best in Massage and was followed by Francisca Vidzeku and Janet Boatemaa.
The Styling and Cutting had Susan Fiagbor, Lily Quaynor and Gifty Ankrah as the best while Rose Ocquaye, Nancy Kodua and Djariatu Lauriano emerged the best three in Make-up.
The ceremony was attended by guests from the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), Mr. Frederick Ntim, theNational Secretary of the Ghana HairdressersandBeauticians Association (GHABA), Ms Stella Botchway, Mr Norbert Ayamba, Head of Academics at National Vocational Training Institute(NVTI) Head Office at Burma Camp and Ms. Tina Ofei Yirenkyi, National president of the Ghana Beauticians and Hair Dressers Association (GHABA).
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
