‘Proud of our own, we can do it!’

27th Mar 2018 | Source: graphic.com.gh

Freda Prempeh, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), welcoming guests to the launch of the 2018 Africa Women’s Nations Cup (AWCON)

The 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) to be hosted by Ghana, was last Friday launched with a bold statement: Proud of our own; we can do it! As the theme for the November 17 to December 5, eight-nation tournament.

Assembling a powerful list of influential women in Ghana, and graced by the presence of the First Lady of Liberia, Mrs Clar Weah, who is also the Ambassador of women’s football for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as well as the senior national team, the Black Queens, the launch held at the Swiss Spirit Suites, Alisa Hotel, saw the pledging of unflinching support to ensure that the 13th edition of the competition was a huge success.

The Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Mrs Frema Osei Pare, who was also the Guest of Honour, Mrs Gloria Akuffo, Attorney General and Minister of Justice and a known sports enthusiast, Mrs Ursula Owusu Ekuful, the Minister of Communication, Gifty Klenam, the CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Council, Mrs Joyce Wereko Ampem Opoku, the acting General Manager of Human Resource and Administration at SSNIT, the chairperson for the event, as well as the queenmother of Efutu and the Oguaa Traditional Council, Nana Amba Eyiaba, who have been made ambassadors for the competition, all re-affirmed their support and pledged to use their good offices to garner all the necessary support, not just for a successful competition, but also, to help the Black Queens ‘host and win.’

Freda Prempeh, the Chairperson of the Loval Organising Committee (LOC), gave the reassurance that all will be ready for the competition and declared the intention of delivering ‘one of the best tournaments ever witnessed.’

“ We did it in 2008 when we hosted the men’s AFCON and we will go a step further with the women’s AFCON,” she said.

The Chief of Staff also gave the assurance that not only was funds going to be made available for the competition, but provision would be made for the Queens to get the best of preparation and also be motivated so as to not only qualify for the 2019 Women’s World Cup as one of Africa’s three teams, but win the tournament for the first time.

Despite the impressive turn out of guests, the disappointment of the night was the inability of the LOC to unveil the mascot and theme song for the competition, as they were not ready.

However, musicians Grace Ashie and Wiyaala, who apparently are working on the theme song, were on hand and together with the Black Queens, dished out some ‘jama’ songs to entertain the guests.