Black Stars midfielder, Kudus Mohammed
Ghana's leading sporting personalities are expected to converge at the Accra International Conference Center where the glamorous 47th SWAG Awards ceremony would be staged.
The 47th edition of the SWAG Awards, which take place on Saturday, January 28, 2023, have Joseph Paul Amoah, Dede Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, and Arsenal star Thomas Partey all in contention for top gongs.
Hearts of Oak attacker Daniel Afriyie Barnieh is in the running to retain the Home-based Footballer Award of the Year - an award he won at last year' event. However, he would have ex-AshantiGold forward Yaw Annor and Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim to beat.
In last year's edition, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games medalist Samuel Takyi bagged the Sports Personality of the Year and Amateur Boxer of the Year awards. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old is absent from this year's list of nominees which means a new champion would be crowned on the big night in Accra.
In last year's edition, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games medalist Samuel Takyi bagged the Sports Personality of the Year and Amateur Boxer of the Year awards. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old is absent from this year's list of nominees which means a new champion would be crowned on the big night in Accra.
Sprinter Joseph Paul Amoah, amateur boxer Abraham Mensah, and Ajax Amsterdam star Kudus are the three candidates who could replicate the feat achieved by Takyi in December 2021.
26-year-old medical practitioner Dr. Kwabena Adu Poku has been named as the 2022 Chess Player of the Year while Kelvin Alphous would be crowned the Badminton Player of the Year for the second year running.
The race is, even more, hottest for the Athlete of the Year award with top guns Benjamin Azamati and Joseph Paul Amoah in an open contest for the prize.
In the female category, Tripler jumper Abigail Kwarteng and USA-based Deborah Acquah along with high jumper Rose Yeboah are all gunning for the big award. Kwarteng (triple jumper) and Acquah (long jumper) who both competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK are in pole positions for the accolade. But, home-based Rose Yeboah boasts of a rich voting constituency that has been left impressed with her delivery. Yeboah, who won the Prospect of the Year Award at the 2019 edition and won Gold for Ghana during the 2022 Africa Athletics Championship, would be hoping to mount the podium once more.
Police Officer Grace Mintah has been nominated for the Female Armwrestler of the Year Award.
During the launch of the awards, the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, SWAG, announced the criteria for nominations for the 47th Awards back in August 2022.
Ghana's Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has pledged his support for the longest-running awards scheme in the country. The former Buckingham University student has already provided cash support of GHS50,000 to the awards with GHS10,000 each going to the Sports Journalist and Female footballer of the Year categories.
Leading Ghanaian mining firm Adamus Resources Limited has become a joint headline sponsor together with MTN Ghana to the 47th Awards with SES HD Plus, Betway, Stanbic Bank, Ghana Gas, Gyata Cement, Tobinco Pharmacy, Ghana Freezones Authority, Twellium Industries, Special Ice and others.
Top guest for the SWAG Awards include Nana Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI, President of the Owirenkyi Traditional Council, Assin Kushea, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, Minister for Sports, Dr. Akuffo Dampare, Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kwame Asuah Takyi, Comptroller General of Ghana Immigration Service, former athletes and players, entertainment celebrities and many more with Ghanaian Afropop and Afrobeats singer Wendy Shay, budding comedian O.B. Amponsah, gospel artiste Perpetual Didier, and young singer Ashley Chuks all performing at the event.
The awards recognizes, rewards, and honours outstanding achievements of deserving Ghanaian sportsmen, sportswomen, teams, and officials in various disciplines (i.e. the crème de la crème persons, who bring glory and honour to themselves and the nation).
It also recognises the contribution of individuals and organisations that contribute positively to the development and promotion of Ghana's sports. It is also a platform for interaction between these sports stars and influential members of society, for stocktaking and agenda-setting, to accelerate Ghana's sports development.
The 47th MTN/Adamus SWAG Awards will be shown live on HD+ Decoder Scoore Channel 151.