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‘NeHo’ Dogboe, what next?
• Dogboe – Can the nation still wait for another world title from him?
Ghanaians a fortnight ago woke up Sunday morning to the upsetting news that the nation’s world title boxing hopeful – Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe, had lost in his intrepid bid to become champion again.
Dogboe staggered and slumped to two-time Cuban Olympic gold medallist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez 117-110, 118-109 and 119-108 for the vacant WBO featherweight title at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa in the United States.
After losing his super-bantamweight title few years ago – specifically on December 8, 2018, in back-to-back defeats to Emanuel Navarrete, the Ghanaian vigorously bounced back to blow out the likes of Chris Avalos, Adam Lopez, Christopher Diaz and Joet Gonzalez in his last four fights. Remarkable feats!
A new Dogboe was born, supposedly. It was not difficult at all for a generous prediction to be posted in favour of the Ghanaian aggressive boxer – with many pencilling him down for greatness again.
At least, scores of the sport’s experts favoured him to punch his way to reclaiming his belt, especially when
his nemesis – Emmanuel Navarrete, had moved up in weight, and was entirely out of his path to another stardom.
It was a huge set-back, therefore, when Dogboe failed heavily in his bid to become champion again after losing unanimously to Ramirez.
Watching the fight closely, it seems – even though Dogboe has improved prettily well under top trainer Barry Hunter, he is still short of endurance, power and ring-craftiness.
In most of his bouts, you see a boxer that begins ferociously and runs out of steam as the fight progresses. His stamina level has been suspect; his guard impressively powder-puffed and his ring-craftiness a bit dawdling. He throws an avalanche of punches with many going astray – and it is a worry that never gets settled.
That notwithstanding, though he lost against Ramirez, the wide difference on the scorecards of the judges, looks a bit questionable. He did enough to get a close call. But that should tell Dogboe that he needs to take his ‘judges’ into the ring through a more convincing performance than what he demonstrated two weeks ago. He must not leave anything to chance.
Indeed, it is high time Dogboe sat and took a good look at his fight-style and perhaps re-strategize if he still wants to be relevant in the sport – especially at the fiercely thrilling featherweight division.
He must work his tail off and live by his special motto: “NeHo!”
NeHo, in the Ewe language, means to uproot, to lift oneself through adversity.
“NeHo is something I use because, regardless of the situation in the ring – or any situation – you have to keep coming forward; you never give up. You uproot and accomplish your mission,” Dogboe told The Ring magazine recently.
“Neho, to me, helps psyche myself up. You’re going to go through difficulties in the ring but how do you do that?
“You have to psyche yourself up to where you think nothing can get in your way. People may misinterpret the word, that to uproot and destroy everything there. But if the military is going on the battlefield, your soldiers are scared; believe me. But the leader will give them something to recite and that’s the word that I use to keep coming forward and digging deep – and I keep saying that my head, ‘NeHo, NeHo, NeHo.’”
So, it is time Dogboe take a firm decision either to do the ‘Neho’ now or think about hanging the gloves. And, that decision must be fast because at 28 years, age is steadily but speedily catching up with him in the featherweight category.
By John Vigah
The professor who spends his days exploring the intricacies of African languages found himself at the centre of a different kind of lesson on Friday, October 2, 2026. 
This time, there were no lecture notes, academic arguments or university classrooms. Instead, there was the weight of tradition, the rhythm of a community celebration and the solemnity of an oath at a royal palace.
Professor Ọbádélé Kambon, a full Professor of African Linguistics at the University of Ghana, was enstooled as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene of Akuapem Mampong in the Eastern Region in a ceremony that brought academia and traditional authority together.
For the professor, the occasion was more than a new title. It was a moment that connected his academic interests in African languages and indigenous knowledge with the living traditions of an Akan community.
The day’s events unfolded through a series of customary observances. Kambon was first taken to the compounds of the Ɔkyeamehene and Gyasehene, where the preparations for his installation continued.
Then came the application of hyire, the white kaolin powder associated with traditional rites.
With the customary proceedings underway, the new chief was lifted onto the shoulders of celebrants and carried along the main thoroughfare of Akuapem Mampong.
The procession transformed the streets into a public stage for a ceremony rooted in the community’s traditional institutions.
There was something striking about the image, a university professor, accustomed to the measured language of academic discourse, being carried through the town in a display of traditional recognition.
Yet the celebration was not complete with the procession.
A ram was sacrificed at the Mamponghene’s compound before Kambon was taken to the palace, to swear the oath associated with his new offices.
The ceremony brought him formally into his roles as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene.
Beyond the colourful proceedings, the titles themselves carry layers of historical meaning.
Kambon in his research explores the historical connections between Apagya and Akan political and military organisation.
Accounts cited in his work linked Apagya to an asafo, or military company, while historical writing traces an Apagya stool in Asante to the reign of Opoku Ware I in the eighteenth century.
These historical associations offer a glimpse into the institutions that have shaped Akan society over generations, although they do not automatically define the precise responsibilities of the office in Akuapem Mampong.
Kambon’s own professional life reflects a similar interest in preserving and examining African knowledge.
His work encompasses Akan language structure, naming practices across the Black world, proverbs and indigenous intellectual traditions.
Through Abibitumi, the platform he founded, he also promotes language learning, scholarship and cultural engagement.
But tradition was only one part of the story that day.
When the formal ceremony gave way to a reception, the occasion expanded into a celebration of three milestones: Kambon’s enstoolment, his promotion to full professor and his daughter Ama’s admission to the University of Ghana.
The gathering therefore carried a personal significance that went beyond the honours bestowed on one man. 
It celebrated professional advancement, the continuation of family aspirations and a connection to cultural heritage.
For a father, seeing a daughter gain admission to the same university where he holds a distinguished academic position offered another reason to celebrate.
For the professor, the moment placed family achievement alongside his own professional and traditional milestones.
Kambon had already established a place in the traditional life of Akuapem Mampɔn through an earlier installation as Banmuhene Kyidɔmhene, recorded in 2017.
His latest enstoolment adds another chapter to that relationship.
In Akuapem Mampɔn, the day brought together the university, the palace and the family table in one celebration. And for Kambon, the journey from the lecture room to the traditional procession showed how scholarship, cultural responsibility and family achievement could converge in a single memorable occasion.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Intercity STC Coaches Limited has interdicted a driver captured in a viral video allegedly hitting a Sprinter bus during an overtaking manoeuvre at Pokuase before driving away from the scene.
In a public notice, the company described the driver’s conduct as unacceptable, stressing that it did not reflect the safety standards and professionalism it upholds.
Management said it had commenced an immediate investigation into the incident and identified the driver, who has been interdicted pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.
The company added that it was awaiting an official report from the Pokuase Police Command to help establish the facts surrounding the incident.
STC reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and responsible road use, while thanking members of the public for bringing the incident to its attention.
Management assured the public that appropriate action would be taken following the investigation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
