Sports
Agyapa Mercer unveils Ghana’s first Creative Arts Hall of Fame in Sekondi
In a significant event for World Tourism Day, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, unveiled the first-ever Creative Arts Hall of Fame in Sekondi.
This milestone celebration pays homage to Sekondi’s deep cultural roots as a musical hub, honoring the exceptional talents that have shaped Ghana’s creative sector.
The Hall, located at Duawusu in Asamansudu, a suburb of Sekondi, is steeped in folklore as the place where many Ghanaian music legends were discovered.
Modeled after renowned institutions around the world, the Creative Arts Hall of Fame recognizes the lifetime achievements of pioneers in the creative arts.
“These halls of fame stand as testaments to the power of creativity in shaping our world and driving economic growth,” stated Minister Egyapa Mercer during the unveiling.
Highlighting the economic importance of the sector, the Minister remarked, “The creative arts sector is not only a vital contributor to our economy but also fuels tourism, stimulates export revenues, and creates numerous job opportunities.”
“These legends, the first list of inductees have enriched our cultural heritage and elevated Ghana’s presence on the global stage,” the Minister said.
Egyapa Mercer also shared plans to integrate the Hall of Fame into the ongoing renovations at the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Sekondi, with intentions to replicate the initiative across the country, ensuring that every region has a platform to celebrate its unique creative talents.
To keep the recognition ongoing, the Minister announced that new inductees will be added each year during the World Tourism Day celebrations, ensuring continuous acknowledgment of contributions by Ghana’s artists, musicians, filmmakers, and cultural icons.
The CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, expressed his gratitude to the various industry stakeholders who contributed to the project’s success. He also thanked the Sekondi community for their unwavering support.
“Together, let us celebrate our national heroes and continue to promote the arts and culture that make Ghana truly unique,” He said.
The event was attended by industry leaders, traditional chiefs, religious leaders, and youth groups. An official induction ceremony is set for October 22, 2024.
The Black Starlets will intensify preparations for the upcoming 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a double-header of friendly matches against FC Samartex 1996 at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Samraboi.
The national U-17 side will first take on the youth team of Samartex on Saturday at4pm, as the technical team continues to assess player combinations and sharpen match readiness ahead of the continental tournament.
The following day, Sunday, March 15, the Starlets will return to the same venue to face the senior side of Samartex in another crucial preparatory fixture, also scheduled for 4pm.
These matches form part of a series of build-up games designed to test the squad’s depth, tactical discipline and competitive edge as they prepare for the AFCON challenge.
The Starlets have already played several friendly matches during their training programme, including encounters against True Democracy FC, Port City FC, Attram De Visser Academy, Semper Fi FC and Golden Kick FC.
The upcoming double-header is expected to provide another valuable opportunity for the technical team to fine-tune strategies and evaluate players as Ghana’s young talents continue their preparations for the 2026 U-17 AFCON.
The Football Association, in partnership with the Ghana Education Service in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region, is supporting the Ayensuano District Basic Schools Sports Festival, a three-day sporting event aimed at nurturing young talent and empowering students through sports and education.
The festival, scheduled to take place from March 9 to March 13, 2026, at Kofipare, will be held under the theme “Strengthening the Reset: Unleashing the Champion in You.”
The event is being organized in honour of Rev. Alexander Narh Amanya, the District Director of Education for Ayensuano, in recognition of his contribution to educational and youth development in the district.
The Women’s Football Development Unit of the GFA’s Technical Directorate views the festival as a significant platform to implement the Education Pillar of the GFA Women’s Football Strategy, which seeks to promote awareness, participation, and development opportunities for girls in football.
As part of the initiative, the GFA will engage female students through educational and empowerment sessions designed to introduce them to pathways in women’s football and encourage greater participation in the sport.
The Football Association will be represented by key officials who will provide mentorship and educational guidance to the participants.
Jennifer Amankwaa Sarpong, GFA Women’s Football Development Manager, will educate the girls on the Women’s Football Development Pathways, highlighting opportunities within the sport and potential career prospects.
Bernice Bempah, GFA Women’s Safeguarding Officer, will lead discussions on the GFA Safeguarding Code of Ethics, focusing on creating safe sporting environments and educating the girls on recognizing inappropriate behaviour, setting boundaries and confidently reporting concerns.
Patience Boadu, a public health practitioner and nurse, will facilitate sessions on girls’ health and football, covering important topics such as healthy lifestyles, hydration, menstruation, and personal hygiene.
The Ayensuano District Basic Schools Sports Festival is expected to combine sport, education and mentorship, creating an enabling environment for young girls to discover their potential both on and off the field while aligning with the broader vision of the Ghana FA to grow women’s football across the country.
