The annual African Media is a collaborative effort supported by the African media stakeholders, to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent, celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and deliberate on measures to safeguard media freedoms and promote access to information, the safety of journalists and media viability in AU Member States.

The AMC was conceived in 2021 by the East African Editors Forum, UNESCO Liaison Office to AU and UNECA and UNESCO National Office in Da-es salaam. It emerged out of a growing need to engage with all the African media stakeholders in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing media in the digital age. Recognizing the critical role of a free and vibrant press on the continent, the inaugural AMC was convened in 2022 in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing together media stakeholders from across Africa and the African Union Commission

AMC has emerged as a pivotal forum for advancing media freedom, innovation, and sustainability across the African continent. Stemming from the esteemed World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3rd, the convention serves as a nexus for journalists, editors, policymakers, academics, civil society and media development partners to convene and deliberate on pertinent issues shaping the media landscape in AU Member States. With a rich history rooted in safeguarding press freedom and journalistic integrity, the AMC has evolved into a beacon of collaboration and capacity-building, rotating across African countries to address evolving challenges and opportunities in the digital era.

This year’s Convention is at the Accra International Conference Centre from Wednesday to Friday, May 15 to 17, 2024.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

The annual African Media is a collaborative effort supported by the African media stakeholders, to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent, celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and deliberate on measures to safeguard media freedoms and promote access to information, the safety of journalists and media viability in AU Member States.

The AMC was conceived in 2021 by the East African Editors Forum, UNESCO Liaison Office to AU and UNECA and UNESCO National Office in Da-es salaam. It emerged out of a growing need to engage with all the African media stakeholders in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing media in the digital age. Recognizing the critical role of a free and vibrant press on the continent, the inaugural AMC was convened in 2022 in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing together media stakeholders from across Africa and the African Union Commission

AMC has emerged as a pivotal forum for advancing media freedom, innovation, and sustainability across the African continent. Stemming from the esteemed World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3rd, the convention serves as a nexus for journalists, editors, policymakers, academics, civil society and media development partners to convene and deliberate on pertinent issues shaping the media landscape in AU Member States. With a rich history rooted in safeguarding press freedom and journalistic integrity, the AMC has evolved into a beacon of collaboration and capacity-building, rotating across African countries to address evolving challenges and opportunities in the digital era.

This year’s Convention is at the Accra International Conference Centre from Wednesday to Friday, May 15 to 17, 2024.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

DG of NSA meets Presidents of Sports Federations /Associations

The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) has met Presidents of National Sports Federations / Associations

After a successful campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup Tournament for winning the 2023 MTN FA Cup, Dream FC are content with the continental taste and want to do it again.

Coach Abdul Karim Zito says he has learnt a lot and wants to impart to young coaches, his players and other football people.

Last Thursday, they beat Soccer Interllectuals by a lone goal to qualify for the Semi Finals of the 2024 MTN FA Cup Competition which has the slogan “Obia yen obia”.

But the competition which began with all the Premier League Clubs, Division One and Two has seen the mighty clubs surviving and the weak teams falling by.

The Semi Finalists include Nsoatreman, Legon Cities and Tano Bofoakwa.

The Still Believe lads inflicted a 1-0 win over Division One League side Soccer Intellectuals on Thursday to secure qualification to the semifinals of this year’s FA Cup competition.

Dreams FC attacking midfielder Abdul Aziz Issah says his outfit ultimate target is to defend the FA Cup title this season.

The top transfer target for clubs in Africa and Europe at large scored the only to propel Dreams FC to book a place in the semifinals.

Speaking after the game, Issah emphasized the need to defend the FA Cup title and make a return to Africa for the second time running.

“Our main target is to defend the title and make a return to Africa” he said after the game.

The Still Believe lads defied all odds to reach the semifinals of their maiden participation in the Confederation Cup campaign.

Meanwhile, MTN, the telecom giant in Ghana has released inspiring incentives for the FA Cup Competition with the creation of fan zones and distribution of prizes to lucky winners.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana is at the 2024 World Athletics Relays championship which takes place at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas on May 4 and 5, 2024.

This championship serves as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, attracting the world’s top-performing athletes from over 40 countries. Ghana's primary objective is to qualify the men’s 4 x 100m relay team.

The Ghanaian 4x100m men's relay team, currently ranked 15th globally, is focused on accumulating points or securing an automatic qualification.

They recently participated in the 2023 African Games and the Penn Relays, clinching second place on both occasions behind Nigeria and Jamaica.

Ghana 100m record holder, Benjamin Azamati who missed the Penn Relays, has joined forces with Ibrahim Fuseini, Isaac Botsio, Sean Safo-Antwi, and Joseph Paul Amoah to bolster Ghana's chances of securing Olympic qualification.

Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, Vice President of Ghana Athletics is very optimistic and confident that the Ghana quarte team will make it. “Am sure they will make it” he stressed.

He appealed to corporate Ghana to support the training and camping of athletes as they prepare for major competitions.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

… Celebrates with kids at Bukom

Expensive boxer, John Abaja Laryea turned 24 years old on 1st May, 2024 and he was celebrated at the Bronx Boxing Club in Bukom – Accra by his management, coaches, fans and gym mates.

WBO Africa Featherweight Champion, John Laryea celebrated this birthday with his team, family, friends and colleague boxers at the Bronx Boxing Club. Everyone present at the gathering was happy and had a lot of fun.

The undefeated boxer earlier in the day took to the streets of Bukom and generously gave back to the community by sharing refreshing moments with some kids in Bukom.

The 14th world ranked "expensive" boxer last year, celebrated his 23rd birthday in the ring, right after stopping his opponent Solomon Martey on the 6th round to win his 2nd WBO African Featherweight title.

When asked in an interview if he plans on printing something new on the memories of Ghanaians this time around, John said "I will make sure i win my first international bout on the 31st of May and dedicate it to my fans and all Ghanaians as appreciation for their support all these years, and possibly have a post-birthday celebration". He jokingly added.

Mr. Samuel Anim Addo, manager of John Laryea happily expressed his appreciation to everyone at the event and also his gratitude for how far John has come. His wish for the young boxer is to be a world champion before his next birthday.

By George Agbakla

After the recent exploits of light heavyweight boxer, Jon Power in Ghanaian rings, he has earned recognition and now international match makers are following him.

Solomon Otoo who saw his bout has decided to match him against a Nigeria Richard Egowa (12-0-0) of Nigeria in a hot contest which has been described as his biggest test.

Jonathan Mbanugu who is (7-0-0) has agreed as he wants to beat the best to be the best, so the fight may happen in Nigeria around.

Manager of Power, Mr Gordon Frimpong of Osibor Promotions fame said they well prepared and ready for any fight and this is what we are here for (boxing), so if the purse is good enough we are also good to go because I want the whole world to see what my boy is made of and he is not afraid to enter into the ring because he fears no one.

Jon Power who is gaining popularity day by day is poised for greatness and already making waves to be one of the best in the Light Heavyweight division.

The Nigerian opponent also undefeated, so the bout would be a good show.

“Challenges makes fight happen, because that is where we see the caliber of boxers one is producing to the world, both boxers are on the same page and ready to roar at each other to deliver what the fans want so let’s see how it goes in the end” Solomon said.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

For going into his opponents back-yard to win by spectacular knockout and win the Universal Boxing Organization™ (UBO) Africa Light Heavyweight title, makes Nigerian Idowu Rasheed the April 2024 UBO Boxer of the Month.

A heavy underdog, Rasheed blitzed experienced Ghanaian Bastie Samir (20-1-1) in the second round, on April 13 at the Decathlon Ghana in Accra, scoring one knock-down with a left hook before finishing Samir with a second left hook shortly after.

Now 6-1-1 (6), the hard-punching 25-year-old turned professional in August of 2021. The fight in Accra was his first outside Nigeria as a pro, and his first championship fight. Its safe to say, he didn't let the opportunity go to waste.

Unfortunately the fight was surrounded by controversy when it was at first declared a Technical Draw due to a wrongly-called illegal punch, but the result was quickly overturned and Rasheed officially declared the rightful winner and UBO champion.

Very fittingly, he will be presented with the UBO championship belt today, May 1, at a press-conference at the offices of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control in Lagos.

Source UBO

Stanley Nyantekyi aka the ‘Ashanti Warrior’ in Boxing circles has received the sports personality of the year award at this year’s Golden Age Business and Creative Art Award 23 ceremony.

Ghana Biggest Award for Business, Entrepreneurs and Creative Art Awards to celebrate individual Workers or Creative who have excelled in their line of Work was held on1st of May at the plush La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.

Mr. Gordon Frimpong aka Osibor, manager of Nyantekyi said he was happy for the recognition and reward.

He urged the Ashanti Warrior to train hard and win the world title.

According to Mr. Frimpong other boxers are training seriously in the gyms and advised them not to lose hope, but keep on training as the fight night can come when one is not prepared.

He commended Bronx Boxing Gym for training the boxers with the advanced and international methods.

Stanley Nyantekyi thanked God for the favour and blessings upon him. He promised to intensify his training and realise his dream of becoming a world champion.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana’s women claim table tennis silver at West Africa Championships

Ghana impressed at the 2024 ITTF West Africa Regional Championships, with both Borteye and Baah-Danso reaching the women's singles semi-finals, while Borquaye progressed to the quarter-finals

Ghana’s women’s table tennis team secured a well-deserved silver medal at the 2024 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) West Africa Regional Championships held in Lomé, Togo, from 25 April to 27 April.

The team, comprising Cynthia Kwabi, Joanita Borteye, Blessing Labanti, Bernice Borquaye and Celia Baah-Danso, dominated Group 2, defeating Benin, Togo, and Guinea to advance to the semi-finals.

Their dominance continued in the knockout stages, with a convincing 3-0 victory over Côte d’Ivoire. Borteye, Kwabi and Baah-Danso all secured straight-set wins against their Ivorian counterparts.

However, the final against Nigeria proved a sterner test. Despite a valiant effort from Borteye, who secured Ghana’s sole win in the final, Nigeria’s Hope Udoaka ultimately emerged victorious, clinching gold for her team.

Ghana’s impressive showing extends beyond the team event. Both Borteye and Baah-Danso reached the women’s singles semi-finals, while Borquaye progressed to the quarter-finals. The men’s team, featuring James Marfo, Michael Yeboah, Israel Aklie, Samuel Akayade and Emmanuel Commey, also reached the semi-finals before being halted by eventual champions Togo.

By Leroy Hawkson