Games

Former sprinter dubbed ‘fastest woman in Africa’ to retire after nearly 50 years as NHS nurse

A London nurse once described as the “fastest woman in Africa” is retiring after almost five decades in the NHS.

Former international sprinter Rose Amankwaah, 72, represented Ghana at the 1972 Olympics and started working in the NHS in 1975.

She was initially given weekends off so she could continue her athletics training, where she ran alongside a young Linford Christie.

Mrs Amankwaah spent her whole medical career at Central Middlesex Hospital.

Mrs Amankwaah, then Rose Asiedua, won a bronze medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand.

She added another medal to her haul in 2023 when she was given the NHS Silver Medal Award by England’s chief nurse, Dame Ruth May.

She moved to England in 1974 aged 22, and shortly afterwards started training to be a nurse.

After finishing her training she was employed by the hospital as a staff nurse and finishes her career as theatre matron.

During her time at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, the mother-of-four and grandmother-of-10 has met both royalty and senior politicians.

She said: “I’m happy that I’m going to have some time with my family but I have been in this hospital all my life, so retirement feels like losing something – you’re part of the furniture and all of a sudden you are not going to be.

“But I’m so happy that I have achieved what I want to achieve.”

Mrs Amankwaah said that during her work in theatres she had seen major advances in surgery – with most procedures being “open” when she started, followed by a shift to laparoscopic, or keyhole, surgery and now widespread use of robotic surgery.

Her first trip in retirement will be to Ghana to visit her 87-year-old sister, with a number of other holidays in the pipeline.

Retirement also means she will be able to watch the Paris Olympics in the summer.

On her sprinting career she said: “I started running in 1958 when I was in secondary school in Ghana.

“I started representing Ghana with a high jump but then a coach came to me and said they would like to train me in 100m and 200m races.”

A London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust spokesperson said: “The NHS is all about people and we’ll all miss Rose when she goes. She is a great nurse and personality and, after 49 years, still knows how to set the pace and run the race.”

African Games 2023: We will still qualify – Black Satellites coach

Black Satellites coach Desmond Ofei remains unperturbed despite Ghana’s stuttering start in the men’s football competition of the Accra 2023 African Games.

The Satellites were held by Congo to a goalless draw on Friday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana went close on two occasions; first through Aziz Misibau’s long-range effort that cannoned off the crossbar with 15 minutes to go.

Ten minutes later, substitute Michael Epson’s tap-in was ruled out for offside.

When asked if he was worried about the result, Ofei expressed confidence in his team’s chances of progressing.

“I am not worried about the result. It does not change much for us. We played quite well and created enough chances to win,” Offei insisted.

“I know we have the quality in the squad and with different profiles. In the second half, we showed that and significantly improved. So I believe we will qualify” he concluded.

Ofei has been in charge of the Black Satellites since he was promoted from his role as assistant coach in September 2023.

He had previously served as assistant to Samuel Boadu for nine months at the Black Satellites.

Ghana’s next match is a clash with The Gamba on Wednesday, March 12, 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Black Stars to play Uganda in friendly on March 26

The Uganda Football Association (UFA) has announced an imminent friendly between the Cranes and Ghana’s Black Stars in the upcoming international break.

The game, which is scheduled for March 26, will be held at the Stade Grande Marrakech in Marrakech, Morocco.

According to the Uganda Football Association, the friendly match is part of Uganda’s preparations for the impending 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Before the game against Ghana, Uganda will also face Comoros.

The Black Stars have been without a head coach since their disappointing campaign in Cote d’Ivoire which saw Chris Hughton dismissed after another group-stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The GFA has been looking for a new coach since Hughton’s dismissal but no replacement has been named thus far.

The friendly against Uganda provides an opportunity for Ghana to assess their strength and readiness ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June.

The President’s Cup: An opportunity missed for Ghanaian football

The recent edition of the President’s Cup held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium was marred by poor organization and missed opportunities. Despite being a free event, the stadium failed to attract a full crowd, and the overall ambiance and publicity surrounding the games were severely lacking.

This article aims to address the concerns raised by the disorganized event and shed light on how the organizers missed a chance to promote Ghanaian football and boost struggling clubs in the country.

Missed Opportunities:

One of the missed opportunities during the President’s Cup was the failure to mobilize supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the stadium.

With effective organization, the event could have been an excellent platform for showcasing support for President Nana Akufo-Addo and his Ivorian counterpart.

The absence of a passionate crowd impacted the overall atmosphere and enthusiasm around the games.

Another disappointing aspect was the overcrowding of media personnel around the president and their bodyguards. This unprofessional scene gave the event a disorganized and chaotic feel.

A more structured approach should have been taken to ensure that the media coverage was well-coordinated and that the focus remained on the football action rather than the prominent figures present.

Local Participation:

It is worth questioning the decision to invite a Togolese referee and an Ivorian team, ASEC, for the event. Ghana boasts talented referees and football clubs that could have been given an opportunity to showcase their abilities.

Inviting a local team would have not only strengthened the bond between the government and the local football community but also provided financial support to struggling clubs in the Ghana Premier League.

Financial Implications:

The money spent on inviting the foreign club that ultimately secured the trophy could have been utilized to support domestic clubs in financial distress. Ghanaian football has seen its fair share of struggles, with clubs often grappling with financial woes.

By diverting funds towards supporting these clubs, the government could have made a tangible impact on the state of football in the country.

The anticipation was that, His Royal Majesty, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was coming to grace the occasion together with the two heads of state.

However, the Asantehene made no mistake by declining the invitation on traditional grounds. It could be very embarrassing if Otumfuo was at the poorly organized event.

Thanks to Kumasi-based musicians Kwaku Gyesi, Amenado and reggae artiste African Child whose presence electrified the ambiance in the stadium with their hit songs, the whole place was unentertaining.

The organizers of the event must thank the various Senior High Schools in Kumasi for showing up to watch the football game else the stadium could have been partially empty.

This is the first time I have seen Kumasi Asante Kotoko playing against a top club like ASEC with a free gate, yet the thousands of noisy Kumasi Asante Kotoko supporters in Kumasi had no interest to watch the game.

This truly confirms that something wasn’t right in Kumasi.

Conclusion:

The 2024 President’s Cup highlighted a lack of organization, missed opportunities, and a failure to utilize the event to its full potential.

By ensuring the involvement of NPP supporters, inviting local teams, and redirecting funds towards struggling Premier League clubs, the event could have fostered a stronger sense of unity and support for Ghanaian football.

It is imperative that future editions of the President’s Cup prioritize local participation and focus on empowering Ghanaian clubs to elevate the overall standard of football in the country.

African Games 2023: Ghana is ready to deliver an unforgettable event for the rest of Africa and the world – Mustapha Ussif

The Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, has promised the rest of Africa that Ghana will deliver a competition that will be difficult to forget.

Ghana is hosting the 13th edition of the African Games with 53 other countries joining the West African nation for the continent’s flagship competition.

This also happens to be the first time the competition is being held in Ghana.

Despite the Games commencing earlier this week, the opening ceremony was held on Friday, March 8, at the University of Ghana Stadium.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister said, “Today, thanks to the 13th African Games, courtesy His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ghana can boast of the finest multi-sporting discipline facilities in the sub-region.”

“These facilities will continue to be useful not only to Ghana but to the entire sub-region for training and competition purposes.

“This is a unique opportunity for Ghana and we are privileged and ready to deliver unforgettable games for Africa and the rest of the world.”

The games will continue on Saturday, March 9, with swimming among a host of sports getting underway.

Photos: See colourful opening ceremony of 13th African Games

The 13th African Games commenced with a vibrant and colourful opening ceremony that captured the hearts of many around the globe.

Held at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday, March 8, the event featured sports officials and athletes proudly adorned in their respective country colours, representing nations from Ghana to Ethiopia, Tunisia to South Africa, Brundi, and more.

All sports disciplines of the various countries made a symbolic grand entrance, showcasing the diversity and unity of the African continent.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, underscored that the 13th African Games symbolises a celebration of unity, sportsmanship, and excellence across the African continent.

He emphasised that the event serves as a beacon of hope, reminding Africans of their shared heritage and common aspirations.

The opening ceremony was further enriched by dazzling performances from top Ghanaian musicians, including Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale, King Promise, and South African sensation Kamo Mphela among others.

Myjoyonline’s photojournalist, David Andoh was present at the ceremony and captured these captivating scenes.

African Games 2023: Theodosia Okoh Hockey pitch remains uncompleted 72 hours to start of competition

With three days to the opening ceremony of the 2023 African Games, the Theodosia Okoh Hockey pitch is without a hockey turf.

The stadium is earmarked to host the hockey competition of the African Games but work is progressing slowly at the facility and time is fast running out.

Twenty-nine (29) sporting disciplines will be in action at the 2023 African Games, with eight disciplines serving as Olympic qualifiers for Paris 2024.

The Africa Hockey Federation initially announced that Hockey would kick off on March 15 and run till March 23. However, new information suggests the hockey start date has been moved to March 17 due to the unreadiness of the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium.

According to Joy Sports sources, the hockey turf, which is being imported, will arrive in Ghana on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

With the start of hockey pushed to March 17, it means Ghana has 12 days to fix the turf, test it and make sure it reaches the International Hockey Federation (FIG) standard for the games.

Ghana’s hockey teams themselves were underwhelming in South Africa in the 2024 Olympic qualifiers in November 2023. Both the men’s and women’s teams missed out on qualifying for the Olympics with the Men coming third while the Women placed fourth.

The authorities at the Ghana Hockey Federation have struggled to prepare the team for the African Games, with playing surfaces hard to come by.

Theodosia Okoh Hockey pitch was given a pass to host the African Cup for Club Championship (ACCC) in 021 and the Hockey Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 despite the playing surface not being up to International standard.
Who do we blame for this embarrassment?

Since the African Games is a unique event, the Local Organizing Committee are in charge of making sure the hockey pitch is ready for the tournament. So far, they have not delivered.

13th African Games: Ghana Athletics announces final team selection

hana Athletics has selected their final team that will represent the nation at the upcoming 13th Africa Games, taking place in March 2024 in Accra, Ghana.
The team selection adhered to a rigorous process aligned with the national athletics body’s 2024 selection policy and qualifying standards.
“The team selection was conducted meticulously, adhering to the 2024 Ghana Athletics Selection Policy and Qualifying Standards,” stated a press release dated February 29.
Running and field event standards, according to the release, were based on 2023 African rankings to ensure only the most competitive athletes were chosen.

Development was also considered, with the B qualifying standard aimed at “nurturing the next generation of Ghanaian world-class athletes.”
Indoor equivalent standards were used given the timing of the Games in March.
According to the release, athletes were provided opportunities in January and February to express interest in participating.
The technical committee convened on February 28th to finalize the selection.
“Athletes who indicated disinterest or failed to respond to the interest inquiry were excluded from consideration,” the release specified, maintaining transparency in the process.
The local organizers have approved 36 total slots for Ghana’s athletics team, with 18 slots each for men and women.
However, Ghana Athletics is petitioning for more spots, aiming to give additional talent a chance to compete on home soil at the prestigious continental event.
See below the list of the selected athletes and coaches

frican Games 2023: Azamati leads Ghana’s track and field team

Ghana’s 100m record holder, Benjamin Azamati leads the list of star-studded athletes announced by Ghana Athletics for this month’s African Games.

Azamati, who missed out last year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest due to injury has fully recovered, will be the only athlete competing in the 100m, but will be joined by current and former 200m national record holder, Joseph Paul Amoah for the relays.

The duo were part of Ghana’s 4x100m relay men’s team that won gold in the last African Games in Rabat five years ago, and set a new national record of 38.07s in Oregon World Championships in 2022.

Their experience is expected to be a catalyst as the West African nation seeks to defend the medal.

Current 200m record holder, James Dadzie, Edwin Gadayi, Solomon Hammond, Sarfo Ansah and Ibrahim Fuseini completes the list of athletes assembled for the 100 and 200m events.

Raymond French, Solomon Diafo, Joshua Bour, and Frank Addo will be competing in the 400 and 4×400m events, with Alex Amankwah racing in the 800 and 400, while Dompey Barnabas goes in for the 400m hurdles.

Notable absentee, however, is promising Isaac Botsio.

Hor Harlutie, Mary Boakye, Benedicta Kwartemaa, will race in the 100 and 4×100m relays, and they will be joined by Janet Mensah and Deborah Acheampong, while Grace Obour (400 and 4×400), Grace Aduntira (400 and 4×400), Latifa Ali (200, 4×400 and 4×100), will be joined Bridget Annan and Sandrah Appiah for the women’s events.

For the field events, Rose Yeboah would not he available to defend high jump gold medal won on Rabat in 2019, but Esther Obenewaa will be hoping to fly high Ghana’s flag in the event.

Abraham Seaneke (long jump), Ebenezer Gyimah (high jump), Evans Yamoah (high jump), and Bugase Rexford (discus) are the men for the field events.

Ghana will not have a representative for the women’s long jump as Deborah Acquah will be participating.

African Games 2023: Bawumia commissions Legon Stadium

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday, March 1, 2024, commissioned the University of Ghana stadium (Legon Stadium), at a colourful ceremony in Accra ahead of the 13th edition of the African Games to be staged in Accra.

The 11,000 capacity facility which will serve as one of the venues for the competition has been completed as Ghana wraps-up preparations ahead of the opening of the Games on March 3.

Commissioning the stadium, the Vice President said “The history of the African Games is tied with the history of the continent.

“I believe it is common knowledge that the Great Pan African and First President of the Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah is a founding member of the Games. The Games thus inhabit the Spirit of Africa and Pan Africanism.

“Our theme for this edition of the Games, “Experience the African Dream”, is thus steeped in the core values of unity, independence, political and economic cooperation, as well as historical and cultural awareness.”

He added that “this is the age of the African Renaissance. The continent is tagged by Trade Finance Global with the potential to shape geopolitics and world economics for decades to come.

“This potential would not marginally materialize to propel our people into prosperity without conscious and intentional action on the part of everyone, especially leadership across all social divides and facets of society.”

The United Nations, he said, had “Identified sports as the most appropriate vehicle for sustainable socio-economic development and made a pronouncement as such in 2018. Combined with the youthful bulge of our demographic dividend, the opportunity is here, and the time is now. Ghana is ready to host the world.

“It is in recognition of many social and cultural benefits inherent in sports that the Government of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic, took the bold decision to bid for and win the rights for Ghana to host this edition of the African Games. This visionary step has resulted in the construction of international standard sporting facilities such as the University of Ghana Sports Stadium and Rugby Field and the Borteyman Sports Complex.

“Construction of these facilities have not been easy, but we know that the returns would be immediate and substantial”, he concluded.

Over 13,000 elite athletes, sports technocrats, technicians, and officials, including volunteers are expected to participate in the African Games that ends on Saturday March, 23.

The African Games is a celebration of the continent’s greatest sporting talents who gather and compete in an atmosphere of camaraderie, unity and celebration the cultural diversity that is uniquely African.