The 67th edition of the Asantehene Golf Open Championship opened at the prestigious Royal Golf Club in Kumasi in a blend of tradition, sport and royalty.
The four-day tournament, headlined by Telecel Ghana, attracted a distinguished gathering of golfers, dignitaries and spectators, with the official tee-off by the Asantehene, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, setting the tone for the championships.
The Ashanti King was joined by Telecel Group Board Chair, Nicolas Bourg; Telecel Ghana CEO, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai; and the Chairperson of the Management team of the Royal Golf Club, Kwesi Attah-Antwi for the ceremonial tee-off.
The 67th Asantehene Tournament saw top-tier talent from across Africa vying for the prestigious awards in different categories of the competition, between 6th to 9th November, 2024. A total of 270 seasoned professional and amateur golfers from ten countries in Africa competed fiercely on the renowned 18-hole course of the Royal Golf Club.
“Golf is close to the heart of the Asantehene; he’s always proud to get the support of Telecel Ghana in organising the annual golf championship. Golf is a good sport and exercise for our health, and I will encourage more young people to take up golf to build their discipline, stay healthy and build social connections,” Mr. Attah-Antwi said during the ceremonial tee-off.
On the final day of the men’s championships, golfer Ernest Herman and James Akwaboah battled it out for the coveted first-place finish. Ultimately, Herman clinched the overall championship title with a stellar round, demonstrating both precision and strategy.
For seven years running, Telecel Ghana has headline-sponsored the Asantehene Open, which forms part of its annual Ashanti Month celebrations; with other activities, including enterprise customer visits by senior management, mass health screenings, clearing the medical bills of indebted patients in the regional hospital, digital and financial skills training for women entrepreneurs in the informal sector and market activations.
Royal Dinner & Awards: A night of glamour and glory
Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of His Majesty’s reign, the tournament concluded with a glamorous Royal Dinner at the new Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall. Dressed in black tie and evening gowns, guests were treated to a dazzling evening of fine dining and entertainment, with a focus on awarding outstanding golfers.
Recounting the backstory to his deep-seated love for golf since November 1999, the Asantehene delivered a stirring speech in which he expressed his gratitude to Telecel Ghana for their continued support in the region and encouraged more people to try golf.
“Let’s dispel the perception that golf is for only wealthy individuals. I have advised the Royal Golf Club to ensure it attracts more young people to play the sport and make it easier for people to join the club,” His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said. “Thank you to Telecel for the consistent support for the tournament. As long as I live, I will break bread and drink wine each year to celebrate golfers.”
Reflecting on the golf tournament’s success and Ashanti Month activities, Telecel Group Board Chair, Nicolas Bourg, said the 67th Asantehene Open has been an extraordinary showcase of golf and tradition; and the telco is proud to be part of it.
“We will continue to support the golf tournament and work closely with the Ashanti Kingdom and the government to achieve our shared vision of a digitally connected and prosperous nation,” Mr. Bourg said. “We plan to invest in the Ashanti Region to improve network coverage and introduce cutting-edge technologies that will not only benefit our customers, but will also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.”
The evening climaxed with the much-anticipated award ceremony, where the top golfers were honoured with trophies and certificates. Ernest Herman received the grand trophy in the Men’s Championships, Kwame Selorm Boampong won the Men Handicap category while Samira Kangoute was awarded the champion in the Ladies Championship.
Telecel Ghana’s Albert Achiaw came second in the Sponsors B category, receiving the award for Overall Runner-Up in the group.
Other notable competitors were awarded runner-up trophies for their exemplary performances, including James Akwaboah and Christopher Osei-Cobbina for the Men’s Championship; Amos Boateng and Lesley Boakye-Yiadom for the Men’s Handicap; and Grace Komladzei and Afi Amezado for the Ladies Championship.
Telecel Ghana Asantehene Open’s year-on-year success has helped to elevate the tournament to international prominence and will remain a major highlight of the sporting calendar for years to come.
