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Azumah Nelson eulogizes Former President Rawlings
Ghanaian boxing legend, Azumah Nelson, has eulogised the late former President Fl.Lt. John Jerry Rawlings, describing him as “A true champion like no other”.
In a statement the three times World Boxing Champion noted that the death leaves a lot of void in his family, because he played service above self.
Read full statement below
Thursday 12th November, is a day I will never forget. It’s a day that brought me
excruciating pain after my number one fan and mentor, J.J. Rawlings passed away.
His death leaves an unfillable void in my life. To the world, His Excellency J.J. Rawlings was an influential Statesman etched in Ghana’s history as a dynamic force who helped shape the foundation of our beloved Ghana.
Away from the spotlight, he was even more dynamic and impactful.
A profoundly thoughtful man who placed service above self, J.J. Rawlings hugely shaped my view on life, work, and many other things.
I will forever thank God for his wise and
confidential counsel. If he were before me today, I would say, without haste, that
undeniably, God used you to change my life into the man the world celebrates today, as a former world boxing champion.
You are indeed the true champion, a champion like no other.When I think of you and the impact you had on my professional career, and on the careers of countless others, you are unquestionably Godsent! I dedicated my biography, “The Professor” to you, because you taught me so many life-building skills that played a direct role in bringing out the champion in me.
You believed in me, even when I doubted myself. As the true professor, you shared “lessons in life” that demonstrated humility,
gratitude and faith.During your time as the Head of State, you showed effortless humility by cleaning my room and ensuring that my fellow boxing colleagues and I had a place to rest after rigorous training.
Always a man of subtle acts of kindness, for years while I trained as a struggling
boxer, I would randomly receive portions of beans and gari. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered we were beneficiaries of the debt you owed the beans sellers. You even rented an apartment for me.
In return, you only asked me to train hard and represent our beloved Ghana for the world to see that greatness can come from Ghana, the true gateway to Africa.
When it came to counsel, you freely shared priceless guidance with me. When I wanted to join the military after representing the force at the World Military Games where I won gold, you advised me against it saying “you saw greatness in me and joining the force will limit my growth in boxing”.
You saw things I didn’t see. I dare say you are a prophet we failed to acknowledge.
I speak on behalf of many of your mentees, and give you our heartfelt thanks. You have
motivated us, enabled us, supported us and promoted our personal growth and professional development.
You recognized our individual potentials and helped us reach that potential and beyond. We all have similar stories to share about how you have personally advanced our careers and still continued to help us, until your untimely demise.
We collectively represent your leadership and mentorship legacy.“Leaders like you are true champions, fighting in the ring of life, where bouts can bring you down, you pushed on, rose above and won.
And as a true champion, you shared your
greatness with others, empowering them to rise higher and help make Ghana, Africa, the world a better place for all.”
Rest well, and know that your undeniable legacy is etched in the minds of all, and many generations ahead will celebrate you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Journey well Papa J, A True Champion like No Other.
Fondly, Azumah Nelson
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
eputy Foreign Minister accompanies Veep to Shanghai to champion Global South reform, industrial drive
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, accompanied Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on a successful working visit to Shanghai, China, from 15th to 19th October 2026, at the invitation of the East China Normal University (ECNU).
The highlight of the visit was the 2026 Global South Academic Forum held on 17th October, which brought together over 200 scholars, policymakers, political party leaders and media professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”
In her keynote address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asserted that political independence is only truly the beginning, stating that “winning political power and governing effectively are related but not the same responsibility.” She called for stronger South-South cooperation, multilateralism and reform of the global financial architecture to end debt traps, ensure fair risk assessments and promote climate policies that respect different national circumstances.
On 18th October, she addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, linking Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization. Warning that training youth without factories creates unemployment, she appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, with priority on value addition in cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, coconut and timber.
On October 19, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La for the Vice-President, attended by members of the Ghanaian community and business leaders, who praised the thorough preparation by the Ghana Embassy staff for the visit.
Throughout the trip, Mr. Quayson coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align the engagements with Ghana’s jobs and transformation agenda.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
