WORLD STAR MEDIA

05/12/2019

05/11/2019

21/10/2019

Safeguard Your Profession – Hon Hadzide Advises Sports Journalists
… New SWAG Executives Inducted Into Office
The deputy minister for information, Pius E. Hadzide has called on the sports media to guard their profession by reporting on the issues positively to attract sponsors to invest in sports.
Speaking at the induction of the new executives Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) into office at the Accra Sports Stadium, he commended the members for having confidence in their leadership and retaining them in office.
He also congratulated the umbrella body of sports media in Ghana for introducing electronic voting and having a very free and fair election.
Hon. Hadzide said sports contribute massively to a nation’s development in terms of adding to GDP, creating employment and uniting the people.
He promised to add sports journalists to some of the Ministry of Information initiatives on capacity enhancement and others to safeguard journalists.
Ben Nunoo Mensah, president of the Ghana Olympic committee (GOC) who graced the ceremony also appealed to the sports media to report more on positive news as they stand to benefit with the sports men and women if sponsors come on board.
He also appealed to sports federations to emulate SWAG in organizing their elections to avoid all the negative things associated with voting.
Professor Peter Twumasi, the director general of the National Sports Authority (NSA) urged the sports media to support and report on lesser known sports like Ampe.
Dr. Roland Affail Monney, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) president who inducted the new executives into office praised SWAG for leading in many programmes on the media landscape, and urged members to meet the standards of fair reporting and be ethical.
Kwabena Yeboah, the retained president thanked members and patrons, as well as the sports authorities and sponsors for supporting the association over the past 51 years.
He hinted that it is the collective effort of members that has kept SWAG moving from strength to strength.
The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Ray Quarcoo, Madam Gifty Annan Myers, Ken Bediako, Ebo Quansah, representatives of MTN Ghana and some sports federation head.
The new SWAG executives are Kwabena Yeboah – president, Maurice Quansah – vice president, Charles Osei Asibey – general secretary, Thomas Boakey Agyeman – dep. general secretary, Rosalind Amoh – treasurer, Sometymer Otuo Acheampong - executive member and Ohene Brenya Bampoe – executive member. They will be in office from 2019 to 2023.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

12/09/2019

Graphic Sports’ Beatrice Laryea Excited To Be Named In 2019 Ghandour WISA Omy TV Awards
“I am excited about this award and I feel great that the leadership of Women In Sports Association (WISA) have noticed my many years of hardwork and decided to celebrate and honour me at the fifth anniversary and the third Achievers Awards” Female sports journalist Beatrice Laryea said when she was interviewed by Yours Truly.
“Firstly, my inspiration comes from God and the fact that He has been with me throughout this journey and He has used me to His glory” said the adventurous young pretty sports journalist at the Graphic Communications Group who was named among the recipients of the 2019 Ghandour WISA Omy TV Awards slated for Saturday September 28, 2019 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
According to Bea Laryea, founder of www.girlsinlovewithsports.com, she has been inspired by the kind words and the thumbs up received from the hundreds of people who read her stories in the various brands of the Graphic Communications Group Limited.
“Such comments inspire me to do more and never to give up on my dreams even in the face of challenges” she revealed.
“I dedicate this award to the memory of my late mother, Grace Adjorkor Adjei, who worked so hard just to ensure that I got education but unfortunately she is not here to reap the fruits of her labour so I will continue to work harder to make her proud wherever she is”.
Beatrice Laryea, a panelist on the Homebase (HB) TV Sports Show on Saturdays adviced the youth to discover where their interest and passion lie, work towards that direction to achieve their goals, as it also come with some challenges, but if they are focused, they will never give up and it will pay off one day.
She recalls “In 2009 I wrote an article about some young footballers in my community (Ashaley Botwe) in the Graphic Sports. I painted a vivid picture of how talents abounded in the town despite the fact that it is a farming community and how the community park gets busy with football activities during weekends.
I also described how these young and talented footballers needed help to achieve their dreams of becoming professional footballers.
For me, the highest point of all of this was that the article attracted some club administrators who got in touch with me and even visited the park on weekends to scout some of these players. It changed the lives of these players because some of them got the opportunity to travel outside Ghana and they currently plying their trade abroad.
“The lowest point of my career was when I missed the opportunity to travel to France to cover the FIFA Women's World Cup. For me it was a big blow because I was able to get sponsorship for the trip but unfortunately I didn't get visa and accreditation to go do the job. I tried everything but it didn't work. I have covered CAF competitions but not FIFA so the Women's World Cup would have been my first coverage of a FIFA competition but I missed that opportunity.
There is always the challenge of proving your worth in a male dominated industry or you will not be noticed. And that means working for long hours and on weekends which also means forfeiting your social life among other things. The challenges are a lot but I'll just end it here.
Just as there are challenges, there are advantages as well. You get to meet and interact with a lot of prominent people. Some of them even become families, they support you and you get to learn a lot from them” she expressed.
Her best sport is tennis. “It's a beautiful sport. I love to write about it and I love to play it too. It's just great”.
“My Sports idol will be a tennis star and it will definitely be Serena Williams although she has lost four consecutive finals since giving birth to her first child”.
She named former Accra Hearts of Oak Captain, Thomas Abbey as her football idol and best Sports administrator as Executive Chairman of Dreams FC, Mr Kurt Okraku.
She thanked God Almighty for guiding, protecting and bringing her this far.
She also commended her editors, seniors and colleagues at Graphic because they taught, shaped and challenged her to be better in her career.
She is currently on admission at the University of Ghana, Legon, School of Graduate Studies for her Masters Program, studying M. A. in Communication Studies with Specialisation in Broadcasting, Print Journalism and Advertising.
She has the ambition of owning her own Communications Firm, become a lecturer in one of our universities, build one of the biggest orphanages in West Africa and give hope to the less privileged in society.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

27/02/2019

Nana Akrofi Darte I Launches 2019 Kwahu Mountain Marathon
The 2019 (second) edition of the annual Kwahu Easter Marathon has been launched at the Startimes Ghana head office in Accra, Ghana by his royal highness, Nana Obeng Akrofi Darte I, Mpraeso Baamuhene of Kwahu Traditional Council (KTC),
According to Nana Darte l, the Marathon has come to stay, after seeking new ways of making the Easter celebrations on the mountain more exciting.
Nana Obeng Akrofi Darte I announced mouth watering prices for the winners. He said the top 10 finishers will receive a price of 20,000 Ghana Cedis. The top 2 finishers in the male category and the winner in the female category will also qualify to participate in international marathons in September and October of 2019.
He appealed to corperate Ghana to support such sporting events since the help develops the talents of our nation.
William Ezah, chief organiser and Project Manager of Medivent Consult as well as General Secretary of the SWAG said the Kwahu Marathon is more special done other marathons in Ghana because it’s going to take place in a cooler climate compared to those which happen in Accra. Athletes are assured of cool weather when they travel to the mountainous city to compete.
“The aim of the marathon is to unearthed and expose more long distance runners for the country to be represented well when it comes to international athletics” he said.
Mr. George Lomotey, Director of Television of StarTimes, in his remarks, said this year's marathon would be televised on Adepa TV and millions would have the chance to witness the event.
He said they were happy to partner Medivent Consult and Kwahu Traditional Council (KTC) in the successfully organisation of the program.
Over 1000 athletes are expected to compete in this 42.2 kilometer marathon with three winners in both the male and female categories having the chance to compete in the Bejing Marathon
Abraham Nkansah aka Apirigu Chakapama, President of Die Hard Supporters pledged his support for the event and promised that some of his members will participate as well as cheer the runners on the day.
Goil, Mobisoko and StarTimes Ghana are the main sponsors for the 2019 Kwahu Easter Marathon.
From Sammy Heywood Okine

27/02/2019

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is coming up on 6 April

27/09/2018

Yaa Yaa Wishes WISA Success
Ace musician Yaa Yaa has commended Women In Sports Association (WISA) for deciding to honour Ghana’s most outstanding female sports personalities.
Speaking with Madam Gloria Commodore, Executive Director of WISA at the Zen Garden at Labone, she said it is a great feeling to be recognized and rewarded for an achievement.
She expressed her readiness to join and sing for WISA anytime she is available.
According to Yaa Yaa, she is shooting her video for her eighth single song, which is going to be a blast, and that is the reason that she may not be at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, but has promised to be at all WISA events in future to lend her moral support.
Madam Gloria Commodore was at the Zen Garden for a meeting when she met Yaa Yaa and they clicked as people with the same ambitions of showering love and making the world a better place to live.
Now handled by Wahala Entertaiment owned by Mr. Wael H. Hakim of Elite Sports fame, Yaa Yaa said the future is very bright and hopes to realize her dream of becoming one of the best female artistes in Africa.
Yaa Yaa has seven singles and going for the eighth which would be released on October 15, 2018.
She sings hiplife, soul and afro pop. Her hobbies are writing songs, singing and dancing.
By Sammy Heywood Okine