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Accra 2023 LOC courts support for African Games in Takoradi
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 13th Africa Games, made a huge presence at the 2023 Westside Carnival held on Tuesday, December 26, in Takoradi.
With over 30 masquerade groups marching through the principal streets of Takoradi, the LOC was hugely represented among the groups, as participants displayed placards of the 13th African Games to be held in Accra in 2024.
This follows a collaboration between the LOC and organisers of the carnival, as the former used the opportunity to create awareness about the games and mobilise support for it.
Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, Executive Chairman of the LOC addressing the huge crowd expressed appreciation to the people of Takoradi for embracing the games.
He said plans were in place to get some of the groups to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies of the event.
He said the LOC was keen on getting the entire nation involved in the games, adding that though it would be hosted in Accra, there was the need for Ghanaians to be actively involved in the organization no matter where they live.
“The African Games is the biggest sports festival on the continent, and there is the need for Ghanaians to get themselves ready.
“The people of Ghana must be ready to host the rest of the continent. Businesses must be ready to embrace the opportunities that comes with the hosting and organization of the games,” he added.
The event was preceded by a float of masqueraders through the principal streets of Takoradi to create awareness about the games.
The masqueraders marched through town with flyers and banners of the competition before converging on the Market Circle, amidst brass band music.
The huge crowd dressed in their colourful attire displayed their unique dancing skills with arts and culture to mark the festival as well as promote the 13th edition of the African Games in Takoradi.
The continental party is scheduled for Friday March 8, 2024, to Saturday March 23, 2024.
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
