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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 family of Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, a distinguished statesman and diplomat, has paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama. They officially informed him of his passing.
The delegation, representing the Gbeho family, noted that it was culturally and diplomatically important to formally notify the President of the loss before making a public announcement of his death.
Ambassador Gbeho was a towering figure in Ghanaian and international politics. He served in many diplomatic missions, including New York. He was Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, a Member of Parliament for the Anlo constituency, and President (formerly Executive Secretary) of the ECOWAS Commission.
He was widely respected for his role in regional integration and his contributions to global diplomacy at the United Nations.
President Mahama expressed his condolences and shared reflections on Ambassador Gbeho’s contributions to the country, West Africa and the world.
Funeral details will be announced later.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has revoked all firearm permits in Ghana with immediate effect and announced a new registration process for all gun owners.
The minister made the announcement on Tuesday, June 23, at the information service department saying all individuals who currently hold licences to own firearms or sidearms must undergo a fresh registration process.
“From this afternoon, all permits that have been granted to any individual that you are holding a sidearm or firearm is hereby revoked,” Mr Muntaka said.
He explained that the government had identified gaps in the country’s firearm registration system and needed to introduce stricter measures to improve public safety.
“We are opening the window where everyone will have to come forward again to register or re-register the gun because we’ve changed the procedure,” he stated.
According to him, the government decided not to wait until the end of the year to make the changes because lives could still be saved within the next six months.
The Interior Minister said one of the new requirements would be mandatory mental health screening for applicants seeking firearm licences.
“We’ve seen that people with mental health have already gone through and have the sidearm. Now we are introducing mental health. Before we give you the sidearm, we have to be sure that you have the mental stability to hold the firearms,” he said.
Mr Muntaka also announced that applicants would be required to undergo drug tests before being granted licences.
“We’ve also realised that people who are on drugs are also holding their arms and they are legitimate because it’s been registered. Now you have to go through drug tests to be sure that you are not on drugs before you can hold sidearms,” he added.
The minister said the new measures form part of efforts by the government to tighten firearm control and prevent legally registered weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
He urged all firearm owners to cooperate with the new registration process once details of the exercise are announced.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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