Sports

Unveiling ‘AKWABA …AFCON 2023 Mascot

The Akwaba Mascot

The Organising Committee (COCAN) in collaboration with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and CAF, unveiled the official Mascot of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 in Abidjan a couple days ago.

The official Mascot, named “AKWABA”, was introduced to the Ivorian people during a launch event in Abidjan, signifying the commencement of the 190-day countdown to the kick-off of the event. The opening match of the competition will be played on January 13, 2023.

AKWABA, a word derived from a local Ivorian language meaning welcome, encapsulates essential values that make it a powerful symbol of the competition: hospitality, friendship, generosity, and team spirit.

The Mascot offers an authentic experience of Ivorian hospitality, connects with fans, players, and nations, and celebrates the spirit of teamwork by promoting cooperation, mutual respect, and fair play.

As the official image of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, representing the Ivorian identity and draws inspiration from the country’s iconic elephant, Akwaba is now the face of the competition.

The Journey of Selecting ‘Akwaba’

Just over a year ago, an open and inclusive competition was organised to allow all talented individuals to express themselves and create the mascot for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

The top three winners of the competition were: KOUADIO N’Guessan Raoul Frédéric (1st place), COULIBALY Kixa Pemanh Mamadou (2nd place), and BROU Blah (3rd place).

Sports

GFA holds Safety and Security Workshop for Division One League Clubs

In a bid to enhance Safety and Security, the Ghana Football Association has organized a training workshop for top officials of clubs competing in the Access Bank Division One League.

The workshop, held on Monday, February 24, 2025, aimed to educate participants on implementing Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols.

Key topics covered during the workshop included:

Effective Implementation: Ensuring the successful execution of Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols.

Roles and Responsibilities: Clarifying the duties of clubs, management, and safety and security officers.

Code of Conduct: Educating fans, coaches, players, and staff on best practices and expected behavior.

Compliance and Enforcement: Understanding the compliance regime, enforcement processes, and collaboration with match officials and security personnel.

The workshop’s primary objective was to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to create a safe and secure environment for matches.

In related news, the Access Bank Division One League is currently underway, with Real Tamale United and Debibi United leading Zone 1A and 1B.

Swedru All Blacks and Hohoe United top Zone Two and Three, respectively, after 17 rounds of matches

GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Sports

Selorm Yao Bless and Rejoice Addokwei Undergo CAF/FIFA Referees Course in Egypt

Ghanaian referees Selorm Yao Bless and Rejoice Addokwei are currently participating in the CAF/FIFA Referees Course in Egypt, following their recent elevation to FIFA status.

The duo, who earned their FIFA referee badges this year, are part of a select group of match officials from across Africa undergoing intensive training to enhance their skills and officiating standards.

The course, which runs from February 23 to February 27, is designed to equip referees with the latest laws of the game, physical fitness requirements, and advanced decision-making techniques.

Their inclusion in the program highlights Ghana’s growing reputation in producing top-quality referees for international assignments.

The experience gained from this course is expected to prepare them for officiating at higher levels, including CAF and FIFA competitions.

The Association is confident in the referees, and believe that their participation will contribute to the overall improvement of officiating in the country.