Akrafena unveiled for Accra 2023

The Local Organ­ising Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games dubbed ‘Accra 2023’ on Tuesday unveiled the Games torch chris­tened ‘Akrafena.’

An Akrafena is an Ashanti sword, originally meant for warfare but also forms part of Ashanti heraldry.

The torch is molded in the shape of an Akrafena, a symbol of pow­er in the Ghanaian Akan society which is mainly used in taking oath of office.

Performing the unveiling on the sidelines of the official inaugu­ration of the Borteyman Sports Complex by the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Deputy Chief Operating Offi­cer of the LOC, Reks Brobby, disclosed that the torch, manu­factured by a Chinese company, will embark on a continental tour, expected to make stops in Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, and Nigeria.

The initiative was intended to exemplify African unity and sol­idarity while raising awareness as well as galvanise global support for the Games.

Mr Brobby added that the Akrafena would return to Ghana in the first week of March and go through some regional capitals including Tamale, Kumasi, Ho, and Koforidua on March 6.

“The torch team would visit the Jubilee House on March 7 before ending up with the lighting of the Games cauldron during the open­ing ceremony on March 8 at the Legon Stadium.

Ghana won the bid to host the multi-sports event in 2018, joining Nigeria as the only two Anglo­phone countries to host the Games after Nigeria in 1973 and 2003

The 13th African Games will kick start in Ghana on March 8.

 BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY