#Ghana – International Chess Federation

Ghana Chess Association successfully elects new executive council members

editor_d — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:18:07 +0000

Accra, Ghana – February 22, 2026 – On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the Ghana Chess Association held a congress to elect a new executive council, as mandated by the association’s constitution. The elections were organised and supervised by a three-person electoral committee chaired by Mr. Ambrose Amexo.

Voting took place from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, after which the results were declared and the new executives were sworn in by a senior member of the Ghana Olympic Committee.

The results were as follows:

PRESIDENT

Acheampong David: 14 (17.07%)
Ashley Christiana Naa Merley: 68 (82.93%)

VICE PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION)

Ayiku Angela Naa Amerley (Yes): 77 (93.9%)
Ayiku Angela Naa Amerley (No): 2 (2.44%)

VICE PRESIDENT (TECHNICAL)

Fomevor Clinton Cephas: 65 (79.27%)
Tandoh Charles Raymond Appiah: 16 (19.51%)

GENERAL SECRETARY

Kporxah Maxwell Kwasi (Yes): 77 (93.9%)
Kporxah Maxwell Kwasi (No): 3 (3.66%)

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Mills-Pappoe Benjamin Adoayi (Yes): 73 (80.02%)
Mills-Pappoe Benjamin Adoayi (No): 5 (6.1%)

TREASURER

Dzima Betty (Yes): 76 (92.68%)
Dzima Betty (No): 3 (3.66%)

ORGANISING SECRETARY

Acheampong George Koomson: 62 (75.61%)
Senyegah Paul: 18 (21.95%)

PLAYERS’ REPRESENTATIVE

Anhwere Bernard (Yes): 78 (95.12%)
Anhwere Bernard (No): 1 (1.22%)

YOUTH COORDINATOR

Benson Maud (Yes): 76 (92.68%)
Benson Maud (No): 2 (2.44%)

Ghana Championship: Bernard Anhwere and Maud Benson claim titles

editor_d — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:38:12 +0000

CM Bernard Anhwere and WCM Maud Benson emerged as the winners of the recently concluded Ghana National Chess Championship. Organized by the Ghana Chess Association the event was held in Accra and brought together top chess players from across the country.

Final standings

Open category:

CM Bernard Anhwere – 7.5/9
Akpa Prince – 6.5
FM John Hasford – 5.5
CM Fomevor Cephas Clinton – 5.5
Loglo Daniel – 5

Ladies category:

WCM Maud Benson – 7/8
Ridham – 7 pts
WCM Gertrude Banini – 5.5
Dotse Dzidzor Esi – 5
Dotse Sumya Ibrahim – 4.5

Bernard Biney Otoo‘s impressive performance earned him the junior championship title, highlighting the bright future of Ghanaian chess

The top 5 finishers in both Open and Ladies categories will represent Ghana as The Golden Knights at the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan later this year.

The Ghana Chess Association extends its gratitude to the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, for attending the closing ceremony. He expressed his appreciation for the game of chess and commended the organizers, notably Madam Christiana Ashley, for a thrilling event and pledged continued support for the sport, highlighting the strong participation of young players.

Special thanks also go to the dedicated arbiters, organizers, the media and our sponsors, including Mr. Rajan Singh of Cave and Gardens, for their continued support of Ghana Chess.

Photos: Sabb Studio

Chess to make an appearance at the 13th African Games in Accra

KN — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 18:11:45 +0000

In a seminal moment for the game, chess is set to be showcased among 23 sports at the 13th African Games, hosted by the Republic of Ghana from 8th to 23rd March 2024.

The event will be held in the capital city of Accra, celebrating the spirit of unity and excellence across the African continent.

“The inclusion of chess in this prestigious multi-sport event is a significant step in the international recognition of the game at big international sports competitions,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

Chess made its debut in the African Games in 2003, and it featured in all subsequent editions till 2015. The decision to include chess in the 13th edition was accepted by the Minister of Youth & Sports of the Republic of Ghana, reflecting the status of the game globally.

“Upon my recent visit to Africa, I have seen great appetite for the game and interest from the public and the African government. To have chess included in one of the biggest sports events in Africa is wonderful. It reaffirms the place chess has as a sport in major sporting events and is a step closer to having chess present at the Olympic Games as the biggest global sports event,” said Grandmaster Nigel Short, FIDE’s Director for chess development.

The 13th African Games will witness the participation of 24 countries in the chess tournament, with each country entitled to enter a team consisting of two chess players, comprising one man, one woman, and one captain.

The formats will include the Mixed Team Rapid Championship, Men’s Rapid Championship, Women’s Rapid Championship, Mixed Team Blitz Championship, Men’s Blitz Championship, and Women’s Blitz Championship.

The inclusion of chess in the African Games follows the success of reintroducing chess to the Asian Games, where competitions were held in individual and team tournaments in both the open and the women’s categories.

The overarching goal of the 13th African Games is to foster positive rivalry among the youth of Africa, projecting a united Africa to the world. Beyond the sporting arena, the event aims to promote Africa’s rich art and culture, contributing to socio-economic development across the continent.

Official sponsor:

Riyadh Season

Riyadh Season is an official partner of FIDE at the 13th African Games in Accra.

Riyadh Season is one of the world’s largest annual winter entertainment festivals located in Saudi Arabia, it welcomes millions of visitors every year who get to experience a variety of exciting surprises, events, and music concerts. Additionally, it hosts international activities and events that draw in world-renowned stars in sports such as boxing, tennis, and football. The festivities capture the essence of Saudi heritage and hospitality and it showcases its present-day vibranism.

For more information about Riyadh season, visit: riyadhseason.com

Kwabena Adu-Poku and Gertrude Banini win Ghanaian Championship 2023

KN — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:03:00 +0000

The 2023 Ghana National Chess Championship Finals, two 10-player round-robin tournaments (Open and Ladies sections), were held over five days from December 26-30 at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra. The top 5 highest rated players in both sections, as well as the top 5 finishers in the first Phase (Qualifiers), which was held from December 1 – 3, participated in the competitions.

Open Section

The top seed and defending champion, CM Kwabena Adu-Poku, put up a great performance, scoring 7/9 and winning his third straight national title. Multiple-time national Champion FM John Hasford finished in second place, half a point behind (6.5/9), and became the only participant to defeat the champion. Clinton Cephas Fomevor clinched the bronze with 5.5 points. IM Francis Anquandah and Bernard Anhwere and rising star Daniel Frempong-Smart tied for fourth place with the first two qualifying for the national chess team (the Golden Knights) thanks to better scores in direct encounters.

Final standings

Ladies Section

It was a fairy tale ending in the ladies’ category as newcomer Gertrude Banini delivered a remarkable performance, netting 8 out of 9 points and emerging National Women’s Champion ahead of Zone 4.2 women’s Champion Maud Benson and 5-time National Women’s Champion WCM Tobi Felix. Zonal champion Maud finished half a point behind the champion to take second place, while the 5-time National champion Tobi clinched bronze with 6.5 points.

Final standings

The Golden Knights

The top 5 players in both the open and ladies’ sections earn a spot on the Ghana National Chess Team (The Golden Knights) and get to represent Ghana at the 45th World Chess Olympiad and the 13th African Games.

By Maxwell Kwasi Kporxah, Ghana Chess Association

Ghana Championship 2021: Adu-Poku and Felix claim titles

KN — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 22:34:05 +0000

The finals of the Ghana National Chess Championship, two 10-player round-robin tournaments (Open and Ladies sections), were held over five days from December 26-30 at the Media Center of the Accra Sports Stadium. The lineup included the top 5 highest-rated players in both sections and the top 5 finishers in the qualifying stage that took place from November 12-14, 2021.

Open Section

Dr Kwabena Adu-Poku, also known as BN146, won the open category and his first national title in grand style, completing the event unbeaten. He finished the tournament with an impressive 7½ out of 9, a full point ahead of the favourite and the silver winner FM John Hasford whom he beat in the direct encounter.

The young medical doctor is quite famous in Ghanaian chess circles thanks to his constant efforts to promote chess with his YouTube channel, which he runs with Bernard Anhwere (pictured below), who came in third in the championship.

The tournament also saw a few major upsets as defending champion IM Francis Eric Anquandah and many-time member of the national team CM Jamena Joseph Mensah ended up in 7th and 10th positions, respectively. Both did not make it to the Ghana National Chess Team (The Golden Knights).

Final standing open:

1		Adu-Poku, Kwabena	1925	7½
2	FM	Hasford, John Kojo	1990	6½
3		Anhwere, Bernard	1847	5½
4		Fomevor, Cephas Clinton	1750	5
5	CM	Adu, Jnr Lionel	1829	5
6		Ameku, Philip Elikem	1881	4½
7	IM	Anquandah, Francis Eric	1965	4½
8		Akpa, Prince	1655	2½
9		Aduamah, David Kofi	1753	2
10	CM	Mensah, Joseph Jamena	1932	2

Ladies Section

WCM Tobi Abena Felix won the National Women’s Chess Championship for the fifth consecutive time and proved her dominance by scoring 8½/9 (making a draw in the final round).

Maud Benson (pictured below) came in second with 7½ points after losing only to Tobi and drawing newcomer Tiwaa Abena Appau who finished 5th and qualified for the national team (The Golden Knights)

Dzidzor Esi Dotse, the only player to hold Tobi to a draw, finished third with 6½/9.

Final standings women:

1	Felix, Tobi	1448	8½
2	Benson, Maud	1265	7½
3	Dotse, Dzidzor Esi	1150	6½
4	Ashley, Christiana Naa Merley	1219	6
5	Appau, Abena Tiwaa		5
6	Addo, Pearl		4
7	Majid-Michel, Lady Rowena	1062	3
8	Hephzibah, Awura-Ama Manubea		2½
9	Danso, Claudia Adomah		1½
10	Hadassah-Mercy, Aforo Tandoh		0½

The Golden Knights

The top 5 players in both the opens and ladies’ sections earn a spot on the Ghana National Chess Team (The Golden Knights).

Text: Maxwell Kwasi Kporxah

Photo: Ghana Chess Association

Francis Anquandah and Felix Tobi win Ghana championship

KN — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 12:17:10 +0000

Francis Anquandah and Felix Tobi Abena are new Ghana national chess champions.

Anquandah scored 7 points in a 10-player round-robin that brought together most of the country’s top-rated players. Joseph Mensah came in second just a half-point behind the champion; Adu-Poku Kwabena took bronze. Ghana’s first and only International Master and multiple champion, Francis Anquandah won his first national title back in 1986, the same year he participated in his first Olympiad. His longtime rival and also multiple champion of Ghana John Hasford did not get to the podium this time and finished fourth. ½

Final standings open:

1. Francis Anquandah 7/9
2. Joseph Mensah – 6½
3. Adu-Poku Kwabena – 6
4. John Hasford – 5
5. Cephas Fomevor – 4½
6. David Ameku – 4
7. Edward Thompson – 3½
8. Dwamena Aikings – 3½
9. Prince Akpa – 2½
10. Lionel Adu Jr. – 2½

The rating-favorite of the 5-player double round-robin national women’s championship, Tobi Felix lost only one game and won nine to finish 1½ points clear of the runner-up Maud Benson. This is the fourth consecutive title for Tobi.

Final standings women:

1. Felix Tobi – 9/10
2. Benson Maud – 7½
3. Ashley Christiana Naa Merley – 7
4. Majid-Michel Lady Rowena – 3½
5. Addo Pearl – 3
6. Zakaria Minawara – 0