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NSA Boss launches 2026 One Humanity International Beach Soccer Cup in Accra
The Director General of the National Sports authority (NSA), Mr Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has officially launched the 2026 One Humanity International Beach Soccer Cup Ghana in Accra.
The event drew attendees from the United Nations, sports bodies, media and other institutions to the Accra Sports Stadium for the unveiling of details about the event.
It was announced during the event that the competition was earmarked to take place in May 2026, with Nigeria confirmed as the first participating country, while Germany and England were preparing to join the four nation tournament.
During his opening remarks, the Director General, Mr Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, described the Accra Sports Stadium as a historic venue that has hosted major continental and global sporting events, including Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and World Cup qualifiers.
He explained that the beach soccer cup was not only a tournament but a celebration and festival that would bring together people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds to promote unity through sport.
Mr Ankrah recounted the humble beginnings of beach soccer in Ghana, noting that the sport started without basic equipment and lacked international recognition, but has grown over the years to gain approval from both CAF and FIFA.
He stressed that sports in Ghana had gone beyond entertainment, aligning with the President’s vision of using sports to promote tourism, culture and national development, adding that the upcoming tournament would help sell Ghana to the world.
He also highlighted the Black Sharks, Ghana’s national beach soccer team, noting that the team was christened at the Accra Sports Stadium in 2013 and has grown into a competitive side that continued to knock on the door of World Cup qualification.
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations in Ghana, the UN Resident Coordinator and IOM Chief of Mission, Ms Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, expressed appreciation for Ghana’s role in hosting the One Humanity International Beach Soccer Cup.
She noted that sport remained one of the strongest tools for promoting peace, unity and understanding, as it transcended borders, cultures, religions and backgrounds while promoting values such as teamwork, respect and fair play.
Ms Ndiaye explained that the tournament aligned with the United Nations agenda of youth inclusion and social cohesion, adding that activities such as youth clinics and community engagement would help empower young people and provide positive role models.
She highlighted the role of sports in addressing migration challenges, including human trafficking and irregular migration, stating that her organisation used sport to create awareness, promote safe migration pathways and protect young people from exploitation.
She commended the organisers for translating global values into local action and assured them of continued collaboration with national institutions, civil society, the private sector and the media to ensure long term impact.
The Executive Director of Nasco Feeding Minds, Mr Banasco Nuhu Seidu, provided details on the background and purpose of the tournament, explaining that beach soccer originated in Brazil and received FIFA endorsement in 2005.
He stated that Nasco Feeding Minds, in partnership with Beach Soccer Worldwide, was leading the organisation of the tournament in Ghana to create opportunities for young talents and promote creativity and international exposure.
Mr Seidu explained that Ghana was deliberately selected as host due to its warmth, hospitality and reputation as a peaceful and welcoming country, which made it attractive to international teams and partners.
He disclosed that although several countries had shown interest, the tournament would be limited to four nations, with Ghana and Nigeria confirmed, while Germany and England were in advanced preparations to participate.
He called on the National Sports Authority, the Football Association, the Ministry of Sports and government institutions to provide full support to ensure the success of the tournament and lay the foundation for future international competitions in Ghana.
Chairman of the Beach Soccer League Committee, Mr Yaw Kusi Gyamfi Awere, stated that Ghana was well positioned to host the competition due to its strong beach soccer culture and suitable coastal venues.
He announced that the tournament would take place from May 8, to May 10, 2026, at the Laboma Beach Resort, with matches played under FIFA beach soccer regulations to promote fair play and high level competition.
Mr Awere confirmed Nigeria and Germany as participating countries, adding that another country would be officially announced at a later date.
He explained that beyond football, the tournament would include environmental and community activities such as youth engagement programmes, beach cleaning exercises and grassroots development initiatives.
He assured stakeholders of the commitment of the Ghana Beach Soccer Association to deliver a successful and well organised tournament that would enhance Ghana’s image and leave a lasting legacy for the sport.
Background
The One Humanity International Beach Soccer Cup is a United Nations endorsed tournament organised in partnership with Beach Soccer Worldwide and Nasco Feeding Minds to promote peace, unity and social inclusion through sport.
The competition is designed as a four nation event that brings together national teams from different regions to celebrate shared human values while encouraging youth development and environmental responsibility.
Ghana’s selection as host reflects its growing profile in beach soccer, its stable sporting environment and its long standing role in using sport as a tool for diplomacy, tourism promotion and sustainable development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The state has closed its case in the Republic v Akonta Mining and two others.
The case was heard earlier today at the Accra Criminal Court, where state prosecutors and CID investigators from the Ghana Police Service closed the Republic’s case.
In all, the prosecution called three witnesses to prove its case, two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective from the Ghana Police Service.
According to an update on the case, the two former employees testified to Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako’s deep involvement in Akonta Mining Company’s alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The police detective tendered in evidence drone footage and other audio-visual materials and official communications in support of the testimonies of the two former Akonta Mining employees.
The accused persons, through cross-examination of the witnesses, sought to dissociate themselves from every mining activity in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow him to call the first prosecution witness back into the witness box for further cross-examination.
The court gave him up to Friday, October 30, to file a formal motion to recall the witnesses.
The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the motion to be heard.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
