Ghana will be hosting the rest of Africa in the 16th Africa Scrabble Championships this year.

This year, the privilege of hosting the biennial event has been bestowed upon Ghana. The prestigious 4-day event will be held in the industrial hub of Ghana, Tema at Kesdem Hotel, Community 5, from the 15th to the 18th of December 2016.

Eighty to 100 participants are expected from South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Tanzania and the host nation Ghana.

Stakeholders reckon this year's edition promises excitement and surprises.

The Nigerians have largely dominated this competition and are poised for victory with a 30-man team that includes the likes of Jighere Wellington (World Champion 2015), Eta Karo, Ayorinde Seidu and Toke.

Kenya, silver medalists at the last ASC, hope to snatch the coveted prize right under the noses of the Nigerians as the likes of Allan Oyende and his team have booked their participation.

Meanwhile, Ghana will be hoping to pull off a surprise host and win feat with a number of highly-rated players on their team with the likes of Micky Quao, Kojo Acheampong, Chrys Placca, Christian Mensah, George Addo (SCAG President), and current national champion Charles Tachie-Menson.

President of the Ghana Scrabble Association, George Addo says Ghana will host a credible and entertaining tournament.

He noted that Ghana was prepared to give the rest of Africa a memorable event during the period.

“Our preparations have gone really well. As the host nation, our preparations have bordered on factors such as logistics, correspondence with the International community and local arrangements such as accommodation and transport. And thankfully with regards to all these, I can say that all is set for us to welcome the participants and stage a great tournament,” he said.

Touching on Ghana’s chances of winning the tournament, Mr. Addo said team Ghana is poised to dominate despite power houses like, Kenya and Nigeria.

“The Nigerians and the Kenyans have been the dominant teams on the continent, but I can assure you that things will be different this year for our team, and here are the reasons why: during the last tournament in France, we sent a team that performed creditably.

“This time around too, our team has been taken through effective training sessions to adequately prepare them to go for gold. In addition, we have been strengthened by the addition of some top players from the diaspora. We are very well prepared to host and win,” he assured.