‘SWAG will continue to influence Ghana sports’

The President of Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Kwabena Yeboah, has challenged members of the association and sports journalists in general to adopt a more professional approach to their work and ensure that accuracy and factual reporting become the cornerstone of their practice.

In a statement issued yesterday on the occasion of its 47th anniversary, SWAG association saluted all its founding fathers, Patrons, members and partners who over the years had made great sacrifices and contributed immensely to the growth of the association into an influential body that had since championed the advancement of sports journalism, as well as the development and promotion of sports in Ghana.

On August 3, 1968, SWAG was officially inaugurated at a ceremony at the then Ambassador Hotel in Accra, with Mr A.K. Deku, then Commissioner for Education, Sports and Cultural Affairs, as the guest of honour. Ace broadcaster Mr Joe Lartey, then with the GBC, became its first president.

For the SWAG president, the association had chalked up a lot of achievements since its establishment in areas such as the development of sports journalism and the promotion of sports in general.

“For nearly five decades, SWAG has evolved from an umbrella body for sports journalists that championed the welfare of its members into a very powerful association of over 150 active members, which has influenced the policy direction and transformation of Ghana sports, as well as promoted greater professionalism in sports journalism.

The statement added the annual SWAG Awards, which had honoured outstanding sports personalities and corporate bodies for 39 years running, was one of significant contributions by SWAG in the development and promotion of sports in Ghana.

It said the new leadership of SWAG had pledged to continue to broaden the frontiers of sports journalism, particularly in the face of the rapidly growing sports media, which needs a strong umbrella body.

The SWAG president paid glowing tribute to his predecessors, namely Messrs Joe Lartey, Willie Kwarteng, Oheneba Charles, Joe Aggrey, Ebo Quansah and Ackah Anthony, for their untiring efforts, which have brought the association this far.

“I wish to state also that SWAG has come this far through the special support the association has enjoyed from corporate bodies such as the then Kumasi Breweries Limited (KBL), Guinness Ghana Breweries, Akosombo Textiles Limited, Onetouch (now Vodafone), ABL, Stanbic Bank, GOIL, Activa Insurance, SIC Insurance and our headline sponsor MTN, not to forget the National Sports Authority and the Ministry of Youth and Sports”, Mr Yeboah said.

“In moving forward, we need more corporate support to enable the association organise the 40th SWAG Awards Night and SWAG Cup match as well as play its influential role in developing Ghana sports,” the statement added.