The Ghana eSports Federation has been formally launched in Accra after the National Sports Authority approved and recognised the federation as the sole governing body of eSports in the country.
The event, which took place at the Madagascar eSports Arena at the West Hills Mall, saw the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah, and representatives from the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), grace the occasion.
President of the Federation, Igor Boumekpo expressed his excitement of fulfilling the long-awaited goal.
"It's like a dream, I dreamt about this since 2003. People I love left because they call what I do 'cartoons'. Recently in 2019, I lost someone I loved so much because of this. She saw it as just a 'game'.
"I want to assure every Ghanaian that from now to 2026, we are going to register every eSports organisation in this country, team, association, developers and the players themselves. Everybody is going to be part of this because we need to have accurate data for the nation including the game centres," he said.
He also stressed the importance of women in the sport.
"There's nothing you will do in this world if you don't get the women involved. We need them and the Federation has a great plan for them. The Federation vice is there to make sure we involve the women in every activity. The women are going to play a major role and we're trying so hard to make sure we involve them in all our activities."
President of the GOC, Nunoo Mensah expressed belief about the potential of the sport.
"eSports is the future of sports and the earlier those of us in Ghana embrace it and embrace it well and put in structures and facilities to make sure we get the best out of it, the better.
"I want to congratulate the Federation, and I can assure you that the Ghana Olympic Committee will have their back and be with them throughout this journey."
The National Sports Authority have approved and recognized the Ghana eSports Federation as the sole governing body of E-Sports in Ghana.
Following a meeting with Ghana eSports Federation (GESF) president, Igor Boumekpo, and the NSA in February, the details for having an autonomous status as the sole governing body responsible for regulating and managing all esports-related activities in the country were discussed.
This recognition by the NSA for the Ghana eSports Federation (GESF) marks a groundbreaking development for the esports community in Ghana, and the gaming community in Africa holistically.
Over the last few decades, GeSF have organised numerous competitions and events for gamers in Ghana and Africa, including the Warm Up ESports Festival with 3Sports last year, and the yearly Orange eSports events since 2018.
Also, GeSF organised the NFL Fan Zone event this year in Accra for Gamers upon the NFL Africa Touchdown which included the presence of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the event.
The approval and acknowledgement of the Ghana eSports Federation (GeSF) is a huge stepping stone for the future of gaming events in Ghana and Africa with optimism of achieving and improving Ghana’s gaming society.
Credit: Kwame Benaiah