The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) is 44 years old today, AUGUST 3 and on this occasion we salute the founding fathers, patrons, executives, members and well wishers of this great Association which has become an institution and also a popular brand name in the sports industry of Ghana.

It is said that life begins at 40 and at this stage of the history of our Association when we are 44, we feel proud to be matured enough to contribute our quota to the development, promotion and transformation of sports in Ghana. We have over the years organized a successful prestigious uninterrupted awards running for 36 years and we are encouraged to organize it better as the years run because it is the premier awards of its kind in the country. The SWAG has played a significant role in curbing violence at our various sports centers through our reportage, and we feel really excited to see sports fans go and watch events in peace for love of sports.

Over the years, SWAG has enjoyed government respect and support as a major stake holder and we hope to keep on playing our watch dog role to ensure discipline, fair play and respect for all to avoid corruption and discrimination. On this occasion, we want to support our international parent body, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in the fight against manipulation and defend our right of expression, because our freedom of thought and criticism can help sports to grow and with it, generations coming will develop. Ours is a social commitment and though some of our working conditions may not be the best, we are the ones who must intervene to stem dangerous interference in the freedom of expression.

We still talk the same language in sport and so we open up a chink. Our commitment must be total and unitary, as reminded by the president of the AIPS, Gianni Merlo in his message to mark this year’s International Day of the Sports Journalist. OUR HISTORY- how it began…………………………..

The momentous desire to form an association exclusively for sports writers in Ghana came in the middle of June 1968. Kingsley Obeng, then a sports writer with the Ghanaian Times mooted the idea after a short visit to Britain where such a body existed. Following consultations with sports writers and sports commentators in the media, the vision was readily accepted at a meeting at the Accra Sports Stadium where, without delay, the nominations were made to select executives to steer affairs of the Association.

At the inaugural meeting, Kingley Obeng, the originator of the idea was made Secretary, Joe Lartey of became the President with Mr. Ben Eghan also of GBC as the Vice President. Mr.J.K. Addo Twum, Sports Editor of the Daily Graphic was made the Treasurer, with Mr. William Opare of GBC as an executive member. Other founding members were Messrs Ken Bediako, Yaw Boakye Ofori Atta, both of the Daily Graphic, Willie Kwarteng, Joe Aggrey, Kwamina Longdon, then of the Ghanaian Times, Vincent Mensah and Eugene Thompson, of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and Hayford Oppong Ampomah of GBC and Charles Asante of The Mirror.

The SWAG was officially inaugurated at a colourful ceremony at the Ambassador hotel in Accra on August 3, 1968, and the guest of honour was Mr. A. K. Deku, then Commissioner for Education, Sports and Cultural Affairs.

The Association functioned enjoying the recognition of the Central Organization of Sports (COS) founded by the nation’s first President, which allowed at least one member of the Association to travel with a sports contingent that represented the country abroad. The current government continued this policy when it offered the SWAG a place in the supporters group that went to cheer the Black Stars, the national football team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

We acknowledge the support of our sponsors without whose contribitions we can do nothing. To MTN, SIC, ATL, Stanbic Bank, rlg, multi TV, Goldfields Gh, Sidalco, Tecno, Promasidor, T T Brothers, Goil Gh Ltd, Voltic mineral water, Safina mineral water we say thank you for being part of the SWAG.

I extend to you all best wishes for August 3 and wish you well in your professional endeavours and also always remember the date. We are observers reporting on reality and our mission is to tell the truth exhaustively and impartially. SWAG has come off age and in a country like Ghana known for its successful leaders and examples should to the world like being the first nation south of the Sahara to attain independence and cloaking other firsts, I feel it is about time that the SWAG thinks of planning to host the AIPS in Ghana in the next few years. Never has this congress been held in Sub Sahara Africa and if Ghana hosts, will be a big plus and most of the founders of our Association will sleep sound in their graves, that the dream is being realized. We doff our hearts to our mentors and those who encourage us to be better sports reports.

It is also our wish to get all sports journalists on board the boat to the glory land. All sports producers, presenters, commentators, photographers, videographers, reporters, editors and even free lancers are welcome. We are creating a united front and pray that all who work in the sports media come together.

Currently the Association has over 200 members across the nation, with a sizeable number in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. We are planning to form our USA and UK branches very soon and also plans are advanced for the students branch in Ghana.

The present executive comprises Ackah Anthony as President, Ben Ohene Ayeh, Vice President; William Dodzi Ezah, General Secretary; Sammy Heywood Okine, deputy General Secretary; Veronica Commey, Treasurer; Frank Ampudu and Mathias Tibu, Executive Members. They were elected into office in 2011.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

SWAG Deputy General Secretary

PS. SWAG @ 40, 41, 42 and 43 were not celebrated, because the then executive in office missed the date. Now SWAG @ 44 has come and we should be grateful to our founders and former executives who held the fort till it reached our tune.

REMEMBER. We have to make SWAG @ 45 grand in 2013, and SWAG @ 50 very grand in 2018.