Mrs. Joyce Mahama, the President of the Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG), has been elected as the new President of the African Women In Sports Association (AWISA). The election took place last Sunday at the MPlaza Hotel in Accra, Ghana, marking a significant milestone for African women in sports leadership.
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The election saw a diverse group of women from various African nations appointed to key positions within AWISA. Madam Hadijah Namanda of Uganda was chosen as the Vice President, while Stephanie from Seychelles secured the role of Secretary. The Assistant Secretary position was awarded to Lisa from Namibia, and Grace Asiam from Ghana was elected as Treasurer.
Though Madam Anna from Angola was defeated in the presidential race, she was appointed as the Regional Chairperson for Region 5. Ms. Hannah Bennie from Ghana emerged as the Regional Chairperson for Region 2, representing West Africa. AWISA’s leadership structure includes five regional chairpersons, following the demarcations set by the African Union (AU), with some officials retaining their previous roles.
Other key executives elected include Anna Ferreira from Angola, Stephanie from Seychelles, Sheila Dasha from Mauritius, and Elizabeth Ngulungu from Namibia. These representatives will serve their respective regions alongside Corol Garose, the former Vice President from Namibia, who was brought on board to leverage her extensive experience in women’s sports management and administration.
Mrs. Joyce Mahama expressed her gratitude for the support she received during the election, noting that four out of the six voting nations chose her as President, with the remaining two voting for her opponent. She highlighted that the association’s membership is expected to grow as more countries get involved.
During the event, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), who attended the ceremony as a special guest, urged AWISA to remain committed to its mission. He emphasized the importance of gender equity and called for increased participation of both girls and boys in sports competitions.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Mahama underscored her vision for AWISA, focusing on uniting African women in sports and tackling issues like gender discrimination and violence against women. She emphasized the association’s mandate to promote gender equality and create a supportive environment for women athletes, ensuring they have the necessary resources and funding to excel.
Mrs. Mahama also highlighted the alignment of AWISA’s goals with those of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which seeks to enhance women’s participation in sports, whether at a competitive or recreational level. One of her key initiatives includes promoting Ampe, a traditional African sport, with the aim of gaining recognition for it as an official sporting discipline across the African sub-region during her four-year tenure.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Mahama appealed to corporate bodies and stakeholders to support AWISA’s mission, emphasizing that collective efforts are essential to achieving their goals of empowering African women in sports and driving positive change across the continent.
