Sports

“Rising Queens” Event Celebrates Women’s Chess Excellence In Ghana

Mindsport Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Chess Association, FIDE Women’s Commission, and Africa Chess Confederation, successfully hosted the “Rising Queens” event, August 30, 2025, a vibrant celebration of women’s chess excellence in Ghana. The event featured a dynamic mix of awards presentations, personal chess journey sharing, rapid chess tournaments (open and women-only), and meaningful networking opportunities.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of appreciation awards to outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of women’s chess in Ghana. The awardees included:

Queens of Ghana Chess

IA. Ashley Christiana Naa Merley
WFM. Dr. Ayiku Angela Naa Amerley
WCM. Tobi Felix Abena
WCM. Maud Benson Esi
Dzidzor Dotse
WCM. Gertrude Banini
Ridham
Betty Dzima
Keziah George
Hephzibah T. Tandoh
Tiwaa Abena Appau
Ayesha Osman
Aquah Araba Mensima
Majid-Michel Lady Rowena
Pearl Addo
Cassandra Biney
Sumya Dotse
Richael Ashley
Audrey Ayiku

Parental Support Recognition

Mrs. Adutwumwaah Sarkodee Adoo
Mrs. Regina Richardson
Ms. Dimple Gupta
Mrs. Prithya Pradeep
Mrs. Elsie Fosua Tandoh
Mrs. Anita Acheampong
Ms. Christiana Armah

Gentlemen who have supported Women in GH Chess

Air Commodore George Arko Dadzie
Mr. Ameku Philip Elikem
Mr. John Kojo Hasford
Mr. Ambrose Amexo
Mr. Evans Kpodo
Mr. Edward Thompson

The event also featured rapid chess tournaments, with the following winners:

Open Rapid Event

1st Place: Jeshurun Tandon
2nd Place: CM. Daniel Smart Frimpong
3rd Place: Miracle Morris
Best Lady: WCM. Maud Benson

Women’s Section

1st Place: Christiana Naa Merley Ashley
2nd Place: WFM. Dr. Angela Amerley Ayiku
3rd Place: Pearl Addo

The event was graced by distinguished guests, including Mr. Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ms. Veronica Commey, Deputy Director General of the NSA, and Mr. Gyamfi, Chief Operations Officer at the NSA. Other notable attendees included senior Ghana chess players, representatives from the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), and Ocean Spray.

Special thanks to our partners and supporters:

Ghana Olympic Committee for their support
National Sports Authority for their logistics and technical support
Ocean Spray, our number 1 snacks sponsor
Air. Cdmr. Arko Dadzie
Ms. Keziah George
Mr. Harry Sarkodee Adoo

Special appreciation to the media for their coverage of the event. We are grateful for their support in sharing the story of women’s chess excellence in Ghana.

We also appreciate the technical support team and organizers, including: