Hot!
NPC set to hold Extraordinary General Assembly, April 20
The Board of the National Paralympic Committee(NPC) of Ghana has set Saturday April 20, for its Extraordinary General Assembly.
The current date was arrived at following the postponement of the assembly in February to allow members to contribute to the organisation of the just ended 13th African Games.
Agenda of the assembly include the consideration for approval of Annual Membership Fees,consideration for approval of New Para Sports and their respective Federations/Associations,amendments to Article 2 Membership as well as date for Elective General Assembly per Article 7.
Consequently NPC Ghana, further announced that members shall to nominate and send two delegates, one with voting right in reply to the notice and invitation and must be received by the NPC Ghana by not later than 5:00PM local time on Wednesday April 17.
Members to participate in the assembly are,para athletics,para powerlifting,sitting volleyball/para volleyball,shooting para sports,para swimming,wheelchair Basketball and para badminton.
There would also be para taekwondo,para cycling federation,wheelchair tennis,blind sports federation,cerebral palsy sports,blind football,adaptive boxing,boccia sports and para biathlon.
The rest are wheelchair rugby,para archery,wheelchair softball,national wheelchair and Amputee Sports Association of Ghana,Amputee Football Association of Ghana and para table tenis.
In a related development, the Confederation of African Amputee Football(CAAF) has announced the postponement of the African Amputee Football Cup of Nations(AAFCON) which was scheduled for this month(April).
This was contained in a letter signed by the President of CAAF, Leonel da Rocha Pinto and Secretary General, Peter Oloo dated April 9.
The tournament is now set for May 18-30 in Egypt.
“On behalf of the CAAF President and the CAAF Executive Committee, I must inform you that due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be able to organise the tournament this April as earlier scheduled. We have to postpone the AAFCON to next month,”the statement read.
“We sincerely apologise for any convenience caused by the postponement of AAFCON. However we believe that this decision is necessary to maintain the integrity and fairness of the tournament while prioritising the safety and well-being of all participants,” it added.
By Michael D. Abayateye
Hot!
ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
