SWAG inaugurates new secretariat

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has officially opened its new office in Accra, urging members to take the lead in combating misinformation and to fulfil their role as watchdogs, thereby serving as catalysts for the development of sports in the nation.

The newly inaugurated office, situated within the Accra Sports Stadium, was allocated by the former Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Professor Peter Twumasi.

The official inauguration was performed by Nii Amarkai Amarteifio, the Chief Patron of SWAG and a former Secretary of Youth and Sports during the PNDC era, with the assistance of former presidents of the association and key figures from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the NSA.

For over five decades, SWAG has been at the forefront of promoting and developing sports in Ghana through its unwavering commitment to honouring sports excellence, practising effective sports journalism and providing dedicated service to its members and the sports community.

Addressing attendees at last Friday's ribbon-cutting ceremony, which included former SWAG presidents now serving as patrons, Joe Aggrey and Ebo Quansah, SWAG President Kwabena Yeboah encouraged members to utilise the new office as a springboard for producing high-quality content, crafting compelling stories and enhancing SWAG’s image.

"The new edifice represents a minor yet significant step towards creating a conducive environment for sports journalism to flourish," Mr Yeboah remarked, paying tribute to SWAG's first president, the late Joe Lartey, for his pioneering contributions to sports journalism and the association's growth.

“Our new secretariat is more than just a physical space. It is a hub for innovation, creativity and excellence in sports journalism. This is a place where we can share ideas, learn from one another, push the boundaries of what is possible and more important, an environment to conduct business and engage corporate partners and stakeholders,” Mr Yeboah added.

Abdul Majeed Bawah, Deputy Director General of the NSA, expressed his excitement at seeing a project that had been in the pipeline for a relatively short time come to fruition. He noted that the inauguration of the facility was a significant milestone, as it would serve as the voice of sports in the country.

A former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Aggrey, who led SWAG for 16 years, praised the association’s leadership for maintaining its high standards, acknowledging the significant progress SWAG has made since its inception in 1968. --GNA