Golf is a fair, transparent and honest sport with massive potential to inspire integrity and good leadership, therefore it’s ideal for African leaders to take up and play because it can help promote and inspire good leadership on the continent, so says the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin.

“A game of integrity and of truth, golf is a gentleman’s game without a doubt. A game in which one player goes unto the field all alone, plays and comes back to report that I played seven on that hole and eight on another,” the King of the Akyem people said in his closing remarks as Chairman of the first ever Ghana Golf Awards.

Okyehene added at the lavish ceremony staged at the Events Haven of the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre at La in Accra on Sunday night, December 22, 2013: “Golf speaks to the inner core of integrity. African leaders should play golf and I can assure you if they pick it up, our continent will be a better place.”

Organised by Primeval Ghana, the maiden Gold Awards in this country rewarded the best performers in the year under review and promises to make it a norm for the foreseeable future, all in the bid to entrench golf as a sport worth patronizing by Ghanaians.

Present as guest of honour to witness the recognition of top golfers nationwide was the Minister of Sports, Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah who graced the occasion with his wife and pledged to soon begin playing the sport he envisages as one that can help sustain long life and prosperity.

“There is a misconception about golf and I must admit I was one of them but ever since I’ve been interacting with the Ghana Golf Association and even tonight, I’ve learnt a lot. I can boldly tell you that I am a new convert who will be going to any of the golf courses one of these days and I will come with my wife because I think golf is the key to everlasting strength and youth,” Hon. Afriyie Ankrah stated.

In the event, Nana Bonsu of the Royal Golf Club, Kumasi was adjudged the golfer of the year whilst business tycoon, Sir Sam Jonah won the award for the of personality of the year award.

Other award winners included Elizabeth Captan (most promising golfer – female), Emmanuel Quarshie (most promising golfer – male), Herbertina Amezado (Junior golfer of the year – female), Enock Nyarko (Junior golfer of the year – male), Constance Awuni (most improved golfer – female) and Vincent Atila (most improved golfer – male).

Other winners were good old Ama Morgan (senior golfer of the year – female), Seidu Konate (senior golfer of the year – male), International golfer of the year – Daniel List, professional golfer of the year – Brave Mensah, Mona Captan (amateur golfer of the year – female) as well as Peter Amenyo (amateur golfer of the year – male).