ACCRA, January 2025 - The 49th SWAG Awards at the Accra International Conference Center on Friday January 24, 2025 was an exquisite, elegant, and expertly executed event that celebrated the best of Ghanaian sports. The night was filled with glamour, excitement, and a sense of pride as the sports community came together to honor outstanding achievements.
As guests began to arrive, they were greeted by the elegant décor and warm hospitality of the event staff. The red carpet was abuzz with excitement as sports personalities, celebrities, and dignitaries posed for photos and shared their expectations for the night.
The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana Her Excellency Madam Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang attended the event, representing President John Dramani Mahama, who was initially scheduled to be the guest of honor. The Vice President's presence added significance to the celebration, underscoring the government's commitment to supporting sports development in Ghana.
In her remarks, the Vice President praised the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) for sustaining the SWAG Awards for an impressive 49 years. She commended SWAG for its tireless efforts in promoting and recognizing excellence in Ghanaian sports, stating that the awards had become a benchmark for excellence in the industry.
The ceremony was attended by a galaxy of sporting legends, including the iconic boxing hall of famer Azumah Nelson, International Football consultant Anthony Baffoe, former national stars Ablade Kumah, Joseph Agbeko, Daniel Addo, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, and Emmanuel Tuffuor and many others. These legendary figures were recognized and given standing ovation any time they mounted the podium to present an award and their presence indeed added to the excitement and nostalgia of the evening.
The ceremony had spectacular performance from the DJ, the Immigration Band, making the SWAG Awards Night, an evening of thrills and surprise had the audience being engaged and entertained throughout the night, effortlessly navigating the proceedings with their wit and charm.
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The awards ceremony recognized excellence and top performers in various sports categories in the 2024 year under review, with the following winners being honored:
1. TAEKWANDO ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Kelvin Amuzu
2. TABLE TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Israel Aklie
3. HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MALE) - Benjamin Acquah
4. HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR (FEMALE) - Elizabeth Opoku
5. CYCLIST OF THE YEAR - Emmanuel Sesi
6. BEACH SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Alexander Adjei
7. WEIGHTLIFTER OF THE YEAR - Winifred Ntumi
8. SWIMMER OF THE YEAR - Abieku Jackson
9. PULLER OF THE YEAR (FEMALE) - Grace Mintah
10. PULLER OF THE YEAR (MALE) - Edward Yamoah Asamoah
11. STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - Mariam Yussif
12. ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (MALE) - Edwin Gadayi
13. ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (FEMALE) - Rose Yeboah Amoanimaa
14. FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR (MALE) - Abdul Aziz Issah
15. FEMALE FOOTBALLER (HOMEBASE) - Mukarama Abdulai
16. FEMALE FOOTBALLER (FOREIGN BASE) - Thelma Baffoe Atuah
17. PROSPECT OF THE YEAR - Abdul Aziz Issah
18. DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR - Ayisha Aminu – Golf
19. POSTHUMOUS AWARD - Dr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah
20. CORPORATE
Access Bank
KGL
AFE Lotto
21. MERITORIOUS
Mr Ernest Thompson
Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare
Ernest Danso
Gabriel Obu
Theophilus Sampah
22. DEDICATION AND VALOUR
Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah Asare
Hannah Akua Humphrey
Abdul Raheed Williams (Believer)
Mr Joseph Yaw Appiah – Football
Lawrence Carl Lokko
New Juaben Table Tennis Club
23. CLUB OF THE YEAR (MALE) - FC Samartex
24. CLUB OF THE YEAR (FEMALE) - Royal Ladies
25. COACH OF THE YEAR - Desmond Offei
26. REFEREE/UMPIRE OF THE YEAR - Nii Otoo Larkyne – Armwrestling
27. SWAG TOP 5 FEDERATIONS
Ghana Athletics
Ghana Armwrestling Federation
Ghana Football Association
Ghana Boxing Federation
Ghana Hockey Association
28. NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR – 4 x 100mts Relay Team
29. SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR - Bawah Fuseini
30. SWAG PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Coach Kwesi Appiah
Kofi Asare Brako
31. LONG SERVICE AWARD – MEDIA
Joe Lakka
Maxwell Owusu Tawiah
Karl Tufour
32. SPORTS PERSONALITY
Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah
33. SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Bright Kankam Boadu
The 49th SWAG Awards was a resounding success, thanks to the tireless efforts of the organizers, sponsors, and volunteers. The event will be remembered for its impeccable organization, stunning entertainment, and inspiring tributes to Ghanaian sports excellence. As the sports community looks forward to another exciting year for the Golden Jubilee, the 49th SWAG Awards will remain a cherished milestone in the history of Ghanaian sports.
