SWAG celebrates 45 years: 1968 - 2013

Today Saturday August 3, 2013 marks the 45th anniversary of the formation of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).

The plan of forming the body exclusively for sports journalists in Ghana was mooted in 1968 by Kingsley Obeng, then a sports reporter with the Ghanaian Times, who after a short visit to Britain where such a body existed thought it wise to have a similar association in Ghana. The idea was readily accepted and the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) was officially inaugurated at a colourful ceremony at the then Ambassador Hotel in Accra on August 3, 1968. Mr. A. K. Deku, then Commissioner for Education, Sports and Cultural Affairs was guest of honour for the occasion.

At its premier meeting, Mr. Kingsley Obeng, the originator of the idea, was appointed Secretary; Mr. Joe Lartey of GBC became the first President, with Mr. Ben Eghan Jnr., also of GBC, as his Vice. Mr. J. K. Addo Twum, Sports Editor of the Daily Graphic, was made the Treasurer. Other founding members were Messrs Ken Bediako, the late Yaw Boakye Ofori-Atta, both then with the Daily Graphic, Willie Kwarteng, Joe Aggrey, Kwamina Longdon, then of Ghanaian Times, Vincent Mensah and Eugene Thompson, both of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), and H. O. Ampomah of then GBC who is now the Association’s chaplain.

Rather unfortunately after the grand inauguration, the Association became dormant, and after two years changes were effected at the top hierarchy, with Mr. Willie Kwarteng, then Sports Editor of the Ghanaian Times, being entrusted with the mantle of leadership. Mr. Eugene Thompson, then Sports Editor of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), became the Association’s new Secretary. But like their predecessors, the new leadership also failed to inject the much-needed vibrancy into the affairs of the Association and it became necessary to effect changes again in 1973.

The first SWAG Awards night was held at the Ambassador Hotel in 1974. It was poorly patronized and the SWAG eventually had to admit a lot of uninvited guests. Two years later Kumasi Brewery Limited (KBL), headed by the late Dennis Beesley who was later made a SWAG Patron, offered to sponsor the SWAG annual Awards. KBL did it in such a grand manner that it easily became the topmost annual event for the sporting fraternity. The KBL-SWAG deal lasted for nearly two decades.

In the meantime, the SWAG executive had once again reshuffled in early 1973, with the dynamic Oheneba Charles, then Editor of the Sporting News, assuming the presidency. His Vice was Ken Bediako, with Mr. Joe Aggrey, then of the Ghanaian Times, as Secretary, and Mr. Ebo Quansah, also then with the Ghanaian Times, as Deputy Secretary. Mr. Addo-Twum was made Honorary Treasurer. The Association made gains under Oheneba Charles’ leadership. The Awards night and the annual SWAG Cup match were institutionalized. Another feather in the cap of the Oheneba Charles administration was the purchase of a Club House for the Association at Dansoman, a suburb of Accra, where members meet to discuss issues about SWAG.

After 12 years in office, the Association decided to elevate Oheneba Charles to the position of Patron in recognition of his hard work and devotion to duty. Again, in consultation with the Patrons, Mr. Joe Aggrey, then with the Daily Graphic who later became a Deputy Minister of Sports, was appointed President, with Mr. Francis Assuah of Ghanaian Times, and later Editor of Weekly Spectator, as his vice. The late Mr. Akwasi Atta Amoah, then of the Weekly Spectator, was made Secretary, with Mr. Felix Abyateye of the Daily Graphic as his Deputy. Mr. Sammy Aduagyei of Ghanaian Times was made the new Treasurer.

The Joe Aggrey administration continued the good work of its predecessor. It was, however, decided to move away from the era of appointive executives to the era of elective ones. A new constitution was therefore promulgated to pave way for democratic elections.

The first ever SWAG elections were held on Saturday, Oct. 4, 1997 at the Association’s Club House. Mr. Joe Aggrey was returned unopposed as President, likewise his vice, Ebo Quansah. Other officers were Messrs Emmanuel Amoako, Secretary; Christian Abbew of Weekly Spectator, Assistant Secretary, and Kwesi Brew of GNA, Treasurer. Two executive members, Mr. Stanley Twum-Barima (The Statesman) and Mr. George Martinson (Christian Messenger) were returned unopposed.

Mr. Ebo Quansah became acting President in early 2001 when Mr. Joe Aggrey was appointed Deputy Minister of Sport. Mr. Quansah was confirmed President at the polls in 2002. Mr. Kwabena Yeboah, Editor of Africa Sports, became the Vice President. Other officers were Messrs Emmanuel Amoako, Secretary; Maurice Quansah, Asst. Secretary; Rosalind Amoh (Graphic), Treasurer; Ben Ohene Ayeh and Kwame Baah-Nuako, executive members. Mr. Ackah Anthony of Graphic Sports took over as President after four years with Mr. Christian Abbew of Ghanaian Times as his Vice President; Mr. Richard Avornyotse became General Secretary, Mr. William Ezah, Deputy General Secretary, Ms Veronica Commey (GNA) Treasurer, Mr. Emmanuel Amponsah (Ghanaian Times) and George Lawson (GBC), executive members respectively. On February 26, 2011, Mr. Anthony, Mr. Ezah and Ms Commey retained their positions. Mr Ben Ohene Ayeh was elected Vice President, likewise Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine, Deputy General Secretary, Messrs Mathias Tibu and Frank Ampadu, Executive members.

The SWAG boasts of ever-increasing membership; it also has a powerful board of patrons, comprising Dr. Yaw Nkansa-Gyane, Mr. Walter Esposito, Chief Patron, Mrs. Theodosia Okoh, Nene E.T. Kwashie, Mr. Ray Quarcoo, Mr. Kwame Ofosu-Bamfo, Mr. Amarkai Amarteifio, Nana Kumi Gyamfi, Dr. Sam Jonah, Oheneba Charles, Mr. Assad Mallah and Mr. Joe Lartey. On a sad note, the SWAG has lost six of its patrons over the years, namely Messrs B. K. Edusei, Dennis Beesley, D. G. Hathiramani, S. K. Mainoo, H. P. Nyemitei, B. A. Holdbrook-Smith and Zac Bentum. May their souls rest in perfect peace.

The Association appointed four new Patrons in 2013. This decision became necessary in view of the failing health of some of the pioneer patrons. Those appointed were Mr. Talal Fatal, Group Head, Global Village Group, Madam Gifty Annan-Myers, President, Ghana Rugby Association, Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu, Head of Public Relations and Marketing, Stanbic bank, and Mr Edward Boateng, Executive Chairman, Global Media Alliance.

The SWAG is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and has been represented at various International Congresses of the international body.

Currently SWAG operates from an administrative office at the Accra Sports Stadium. Visit us at www.swag.com.ghToday we say Happy Birthday and congratulations.

By Sammy Heywood Okine, Deputy General Secretary