Features
The growth of Blue Bloods in Africa
Globally, internet adoption has steadily increased over theyears, and Africa has not been left out. Quite the opposite. Thegrowing young population of the continent and uptake ofinternet and smartphone technology have driven the growthof various industries. According to the Global System forMobile Communications Association (GMSA), Africa will have120 million new mobile subscribers by 2023, reaching newheights of a total of 615 million, corresponding to 50 percentof the region’s population. This digital movement is openingup new possibilities that are giving new forms ofentertainment a chance to thrive, one of which is online sportsbetting. It is fair to say that in the past ten years, sportsbetting has emerged all over Africa, and is expected to growwith the digital economy of the world.
Picking up on trends popular in Europe and North America,and with Africa’s love for sports, it is fast becoming an onlinegaming continent. With accessibility increasing, the questionarises: what’s available and which companies are trusted topave the way for wins for the users?
BetKing’s Entry
No matter their culture, language, political persuasion, socialstatus, or race, people across the African continent have onething in common. The shared love for sports – especiallyFootball. Combine that with a population of 1.3billion people,of which around 70% are youths, and you get a highlydesirable market for sports betting operators. In February2018, BetKing launched in Africa, with its first office in Lagos,Nigeria with a solid mission – to create an efficient systemthat enables the quests of its Kings and Kingmakers byproviding the right technology, radical innovation, anduncompromising service to all customers while at the sametime drive as much impact within communities as possible.
BetKing believes everyone is a king and this is reflected ineverything that makes up the brand; from the colours thatsymbolize royalty and wealth, to its excellent service deliverythat is specially designed for Kings and most importantly, anobjective to grow the Kingdom – one King at a time.
Within four years of operating in Africa, the company hasspread its tentacles to other countries in Africa includingEthiopia, Kenya, and just recently, Ghana. Currently servingmillions of customers across Africa, BetKing fast has become afavourite among punters across Africa – despite having accessto a plethora of other bookmakers.
So, what then, has accounted for BetKing’s success acrossAfrica, and to be the platform of choice?
Transforming lives through sports entertainment
A look at the company’s activities would send a clear message–BetKing Cares. Across all markets, BetKing, unlike anyother business, is known as a company that providesentertainment for individuals but is also known forempowerment, transforming lives, and the positive impact thebrand brings to individuals and communities. The company’sgoal is to change the face of sports betting in Africa and indoing so, BetKing remains committed to initiatives thatimprove the conditions of the societies they operate. This hascome to life through various initiatives that cut across –entrepreneurship and employment, sports development, andenvironmental sustainability, to mention a few.
Under the company’s CSR initiative BetKing Cares, whichserves as the cornerstone of the organization’s commitment topositively affecting lives both within and outside of thecommunities it operates in over the past four years, BetKinghas made significant contributions to the socio-economictransformation of Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia. In Nigeria, thecompany rolled out a ‘Month of Good’ initiative designed topositively impact communities. Through collaborations withtwo well-known non-governmental organizations (NGOs) -Market Doctors and the African Clean-Up Initiative (ACI), thecampaign supported medical outreach impacting hundreds ofpeople in significant cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Benin,Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Anambra, as well as beachfrontand drainage clean-up initiatives in some of these cities.
In 2020, the Ethiopian Premier League heralded a new era inEthiopian football with the backing of BetKing andMultiChoice. The investment and partnership aimed toprovide international exposure to the league by givingEthiopian football players a platform through which to putEthiopia on the world football map. In Kenya, BetKinginvested in the renovation of Dagoretti Youth CommunityCentre based in Nairobi’s Kawangware slums.
The Making of ‘Kings’ and ‘Kingmakers’
BetKing’s agent network has enabled thousands of individualsto own their businesses and become their own boss. Theenterprise has enabled the youth amongst these fans to viewsports betting as a business rather than just a game. Thisopportunity creates direct & indirect employment incommunities and the ripple effect leaves a positive impact onthe economy. The agent network has proven invaluable for theyouths involved and most individuals have gone further totestify that the business has a positive impact on theirstandard of living, and soci0- economic well-being. Asidefrom giving thousands of youths the chance to work forthemselves, the company invests in ability building for itsnetwork of agents. A recent collaboration between BetKingand DSTV would offer new agents complimentary DSTVequipment and subscription which reduces setup costs anddrives customer engagement.
BetKing’s unique approach to customer experience and CSRefforts combined with its offer of the biggest odds-on majorleagues with exciting markets across several sports and virtualgames has powered its rapid growth in Africa in just fouryears.
The expansion to Ghana
BetKing’s agenda is not for Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia alone.BetKing is dedicated to changing the face of sports betting inthe whole of Africa – including Ghana. On August 6, 2022,BetKing officially launched in Ghana with a high-levelstakeholder event that presented an opportunity for the brandto reiterate its plans for the Ghanaian market. The Head ofPolicy for the Sports Ministry, Mohammed Sannie Adams, theCommissioner of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, PeterMireku, former Black Stars – Asamoah Gyan, John Paintsiland Samuel Kaffour; the media, and key players from thesports industry were all present at the event, which was heldat MultiChoice Ghana Limited.
As seen in recent years, there is a unique opportunity andtalent in the country to grow Ghana into a world-class sportsecosystem and BetKing hopes to play a major role in thisjourney – with a more dedicated focus on youth. Sincedifferent markets, regions, and communities have differentneeds as opposed to a one size fits all approach, the company’sstrategy is to gain insights into communities in Ghana tounderstand what they need and how BetKing can supportthem. BetKing aims to reach underserved communities toguarantee inclusion for all. As part of the company’s plans,BetKing aims to develop entertainment centres while cateringto their needs and overall ensure value is delivered in animpactful and sustainable way.
Positively affecting communities and bringing excellentresponsible gaming & compliance standards stays BetKing’scollective commitment to sports fans across Ghana andbeyond – and helps ensure sports betting continues to be anexciting, engaging, entertaining, but most of all, impactful ifnot a life-changing experience.
By Gossy Ukanwoke, Managing Director forKingmakers
Today, I focus on the Apostolic Church International in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The Apostolic Church International, Finland (or, Apostolic International Association Ry) was established in October 9, 2023. The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
History of the Church in Ghana
The Apostolic Church Ghana originated from the 1904–1905 Welsh revival, officially established in Ghana (then called Gold Coast) in 1935 following connections between a local prayer group in Asamankese (a town in southern Ghana), led by Peter Newman Anim, and the Apostolic Church, UK. There were historical splits in 1939 and 1953, but the Apostolic Church attained autonomy in 1985.
Today, the Church is headquartered in Accra. Last year (2025), it dedicated its new 10-storey headquarters, “The Apostolic Church Tower,” in Frafraha, Adenta West in Accra.
Activities of the Apostolic Church in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11a.m. in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. in the afternoon. There are no other activities during other days for now.
The Minister in charge of the church in Finland is also the Area Head of Italy Area. He is Pastor Daniel Kofi Addison who is the new Italy Area Head, and has just been transferred from UK South Area to Italy Area during the just-ended Council Meeting in March this year. Italy Area comprises Italy, which has 13 Assemblies, Germany, one Assembly, and Finland, one Assembly.
Elder Ebenezer Amoaning-Coffie is the Presiding Elder in charge of the Assembly in Finland. A Presiding Elder is responsible for day to day activities of the church (Assembly) and reports to the District Pastor, or in the absence of the District Pastor, reports to the Area Head.
Achievements
The Apostolic Church International, Finland was officially registered under the Finnish Law, guaranteeing freedom of worship and providing legal foundation for future growth. The church service is conducted in both English and Twi.
The church opens its doors to all people of every nation, especially Ghanaians who are in Finland and other African nationals. Now, the membership comprises Ghanaians, Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
The Church and the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the Apostolic Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
Elder Amoaning-Coffie said that the main and primary aim of the church is to bring people closer to God. “We aim to win souls for Christ. We aim to preach the gospel to the world. By propagating the gospel to the people, we are hopeful that they will turn away from any ungodly ways and be good individuals in the community and in society in general”, he stated.
He said that everything is going well so far. A key challenge, however, is how to get more members especially the youth. As a new Assembly, we are in need of instrumentalists, for example. We pray to God Almighty to help us do His work, the Elder disclosed.
Integration
By its activities, the Apostolic Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society. This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Apostolic Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
The landscape of the Ghanaian palate is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. In our bustling urban centres, from the streets of Accra to the suburbs of Kumasi, a quiet culinary revolution is taking place; one where the mortar and pestle are being replaced by the pizza oven and the deep fryer. This transition from traditional staple foods like fufu, banku, akple, kenkey, tuo zaafi, and ampesi toward “continental” dishes is more than just a change in appetite; it is a reflection of a deeper social struggle with identity and prestige.
The illusion of modernity
For many, “stepping out” for a meal has become synonymous with consuming foreign cuisine. There is an unspoken social hierarchy where a bowl of Abunuabunu is relegated to the village category, while burgers, pizzas are branded as prestigious choices. We have reached a stage where we equate foreign with modern and local with primitive.
This perception is a dangerous illusion. Our traditional dishes are marvels of culinary engineering complex, nutrient-dense, and deeply rooted in our history. When we choose a processed foreign import over a meal made from local tubers or fermented maize, we are not just changing our lunch; we are eroding the indigenous knowledge attached to our local ingredients and foods.
We need to turn the consumption of indigenous grains and tubers like millet, sorghum, and plantain into a statement of self-worth and national pride.
The cultural and health erosion
Every time a local dish disappears from a restaurant menu to make room for foreign fast food, we lose a piece of our cultural fabric. Traditional Ghanaian cooking is an art that requires patience and skill. By choosing the convenience of foreign fast food, we are raising a generation that may know the taste of a pepperoni pizza but cannot identify the rich, earthy profile of Prekese or the subtle tang of well-fermented dough dishes like corn porridge, banku, etew, abolo, agidi or kamfa, and kenkey.
Furthermore, we are at the crossroads of a nutrition transition. Replacing high-fiber, indigenous crops with calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foreign fast foods is driving a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and liver disease. We are trading our longevity for 15-minutes convenience or unhealthy diet.
A call for culinary patriotism
It is time for us to appreciate, preserve, and promote our indigenous foods and culinary traditions. We need to be proud of our local dishes, ingredients and cooking methods, rather than relying heavily on foreign or imported foods. We must stop viewing our local delicacies as low-class and start treating our culinary heritage as the high-end gastronomy it truly is.
True sophistication does not come from imitating Western fast food; it comes from innovation and adding values to our own resources. We see glimpses of this potential in the rise of branded Sobolo and the creative use of gluten-free plantain flour in modern baking of flour-based dishes such as bread, cakes, biscuits and others. This is the path forward. We must elevate our local dishes, making them as accessible, affordable, presentable and trendy as any foreign alternative.
To the hospitality industry: Innovate or stagnate
Our hotels and high-end restaurants must lead the charge. They must stop relegating local dishes to the “traditional corner” of the buffet, and apply the same culinary finesse given to imported dishes to our Fante Fante, apapransa, aborbi tadi, fetritoto, akple, abolo, yakayeke, fufu, ampesi, kokonte, wasawasa, tubani, apapransa, mpotompoto, kelewele, aliha, brukutu, pito, and other local dishes. The industry must enhance customer experiences making eating local dishes the ultimate luxury experience for both tourists and residents alike. We must elevate the presentation of our foods by using modern plating techniques to show that a bowl of light soup can be as visually stunning as a French consommé. We need to reclaim our Ghanaian plate before it is too late.
To the policy makers: Let us encourage buying of local ingredients to promote the local food industry and economy. There should be educational programmes and talks about the nutritional and cultural benefits of local foods so that people understand their value.
We need to encourage serving traditional dishes at school programmes, parties, and celebrations instead of only fast foods,
To the Youth: Let us value and appreciate our traditional dishes instead of always choosing foreign foods. There must be balance in our choice of local and foreign dishes. Confidence in our culture encourages others to respect it too. Our local dishes can also be promoted by sharing pictures, recipes, and videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to make them attractive and trendy.
Young citizens must learn from their parents and elders how to prepare local meals to keep the knowledge and cultural relevance alive. Local dishes can be modernised to appeal to younger generations and tourists.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to trade our heritage for foreign cuisines which are gaining grounds across the country at an alarming rate. We must disabuse our minds of the perception that anything foreign or imported is better than those locally made. Our health, economy, and identity are tied to the soil. It is time to stop apologising for our local flavours and start celebrating them. It is possible to embrace modernity without losing ourselves and our cultural identity. Let us make the Ghanaian kitchen the heart of our modern identity once again.
By: Marilyn Gadogbe
