Two stalwarts of Ghanaian scrabble are set to receive special recognition from the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) for their contributions to the sport’s development across the continent.
Dr. Robert Bannerman, a distinguished medical practitioner at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital who doubles as the patron of the Korle Bu Scrabble Club, and Mike Ofori Mante will be honoured during the 15th African Scrabble Championship, which begins Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda.
They are among several Scrabble greats to be recognised at the tournament, which is held biennially.
Dr. Bannerman’s dual role as a medical professional and scrabble enthusiast has been instrumental in fostering the game’s growth, particularly through his leadership at one of Ghana’s most active scrabble clubs, where he has mentored numerous players and helped elevate the standard of competitive scrabble.
The awards ceremony will take place as part of PANASA’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, with 13 nations competing for continental glory at the Olympic Hotel.
Ghana’s eleven-member delegation, which includes the honourees, has arrived on Monday. The team is led by Charles Haizel Tachie-Menson, who last month became the first non-Nigerian in a decade to clinch Nigeria’s prestigious Lekki Scrabble Classics title.
Ghana Scrabble President Haruna Adamu is heading the contingent, which includes promising players Huzeru Sani, Fataw Bayenang, and Mohammed Rashad Abdulai. The team also includes Stanley Ubeidi, Edwin Boama, Betty Kyeremateng, and Ingel Robinson.
The five-day tournament, which begins on Thursday and runs until October 27th, will see players compete across 32 rounds for a prize pool that awards $5,000 to the champion. Defending champions Nigeria are headlining a strong field that includes South Africa, Kenya, and hosts Rwanda.
The championship has attracted participants from Cameroon, The Gambia, Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe. Seven players from the Ghanaian squad will compete in the main competition, while the remaining members participate in the side event.
Second and thirdplace finishers will receive $3,200 and $2,300, respectively, with cash prizes continuing down to tenth position, ranging from $1,100 to $250. The top three positions will also be awarded trophies.
