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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 Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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