AMA boss launches Accra Marathon

The Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, last Thursday launched the Accra Marathon and expressed the hope that it would set high standards of sporting excellence in West Africa.

He said the AMA was a partner of the October 7 event which was expected to attract an estimated 10,000 runners and will be used to promote a healthy, vibrant city - Accra.

“I am happy the private sector is supporting this event. Let’s converge to exercise and run to be healthy because everyone who takes part is a winner,” Mr Sowah stated.

The Deputy Minister Of Youth and Sports, Mr Pius Enam Hadzide, said sports had many benefits for good health, wellness and business, so ventures like the Accra Marathon must be embraced by district assemblies, and also urged them to support the Vice President’s initiative of Monthly Health Walks for promoting mass sports.

The Egyptian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Mohammed Heider, who is a running enthusiast, said he had witnessed the two previous marathons and was hopeful that next month’s Accra Marathon, which evolved out of the Millennium Marathon, would have a positive effect on tourism and create healthier people.

Mrs Carthy Morton of the Millennium Marathon Limited,  said the Accra Marathon would involve competitions such as Para cycling race, 5km race for ambassadors, CEOs and elite, as well as the 21km mass race.

The 2017 Accra Marathon is sponsored by GNPC, Menzgold, Coral Paints, Peugeot, Papaye, MTN, Total Ghana, GOIL Ghana, UNB, Gridco, BS5, Twilling Ghana, Tang Palace Hotel, DDP, IPMC, AMS, Wigal, Kasapreko, Ghana Shippers Council and Millennium Insurance.