The 4th FNB Head of State Invitational Golf Tournament came to a colourful close at the iconic Achimota Golf Club in Accra, attracting more than 140 amateur golfers from clubs across the country. This year’s edition carried an added sense of prestige as President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, performed the ceremonial tee-offs to officially open the competition.
Held under the theme “Giving Back to the Community Through Golf,” the 2025 tournament reaffirmed its reputation as one of Ghana’s most distinguished amateur golf events, held annually under the patronage of the sitting President.
The tournament was organised by Northwestern Solutions in partnership with the Ghana Golf Association and First National Bank (FNB) serving as headline sponsor. Additional support came from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Aphro, La Villa Aphro, Mundus, SAP GP, Danny List Foundation, Caveman Watches, The Luckiest, John Walker Nguvu Mining Limited and others.
Blessed with perfect weather and a vibrant atmosphere, golfers competed fiercely across four divisions, each mindful of the bragging right and prestige attached to the event.
When the final scores were tallied, John Ayayee (handicap 9) emerged champion with an impressive 44 points, beating Elisee Sezan and Isaac Asante, who finished second and third respectively.
In the Men’s Group B division, Esukis Esukise Martin (handicap 24) topped the field with 46 points, followed by Kingsley Ayesu in second place and John Djiedjorm Jaja in third.
The Ladies Group A category was won by Canada-based golfer Flora Hurtubisae, who lived up to her pre-tournament promise by finishing with 40 points. Vastie Amoafo Yeboah and Mary Prempeh secured the second and third positions. In Ladies Group B, Marlene Tonyigah claimed the top prize, with Princess Nkansah Boadu and Kous Louanges Mang, the Lady Captain of Achimota Golf Club, placing second and third respectively.
At the awards and closing ceremony, Chairman of the event Prince Kofi Amoabeng and Achimota Golf Club President Frank Adu Jnr. applauded the organizers for maintaining the tradition of associating the tournament with the presidency. They also expressed gratitude to President Mahama for his continued support for sports development and urged his government to invest further in the sports sector, citing its social and economic benefits.
Executive Director of FNB, Sylvia Inkoom, praised the organizers for delivering a well-coordinated tournament and expressed her institution’s appreciation for the opportunity to support the event.
Ghana Golf Association President Kwaku Okyere and Sports Minister Kofi Adams also highlighted the game’s contributions to leisure, tourism and national development.
Minister Adams appealed to the President to intervene in the ongoing land encroachment issues at the Celebrity Golf Club.
President John Dramani Mahama, speaking after experiencing his first full taste of golf, expressed enthusiasm for possibly taking up the sport. He lauded the organizers and sponsors for staging a successful event and assured that the Celebrity Golf Club land issue would be given priority attention.
Credit: Sammy Heywood Okine
