Wikipedia

Sunyani

Sunyani (/sʌˈŋjəˈeɪ/ ⓘ) is a city and the capital of the Sunyani Municipal District and the Bono Region of Ghana. The city is located about 105 miles (169 km) southwest of Kumasi and 300 miles (480 km) away from Accra. It is the sixth largest city in the country as of the 2010 census, with a population of 75,366 people. Ethnic groups such as the Akan, Northerner, Ewe, and Ga-Adangbe resided in the city along with others. As of 2024, the current mayor of the municipality is Hon. Ansu Kumi.

Sunyani
City
The Cocoa House in the centre of Sunyani in 2023
The Cocoa House in the centre of Sunyani in 2023
Nickname: 
Sun city
Detailed map showcasing the location of Sunyani in Bono, Ghana (1995)
Detailed map showcasing the location of Sunyani in Bono, Ghana (1995)
Sunyani is located in Ghana
Sunyani
Sunyani
Location in Sunyani in Bono, Ghana
Coordinates: 7°20′N 2°20′W / 7.333°N 2.333°W / 7.333; -2.333
Country Ghana
RegionBono
DistrictSunyani Municipal District
Government
[1]
 • Typemayor–council
 • Municipal mayorHon. Ansu Kumi
Elevation
308 m (1,010 ft)
Population
 (2010)[2]: 73, 29, 3 
 • Total
75,366
 • Ethnicities
 • Religion
Time zoneGMT
 • Summer (DST)GMT
Postal codes
BS0000 - BS2103
Area code035
ClimateAw
Websitesma.gov.gh Edit this at Wikidata

Sunyani's economy is largely agrarian, with the city being known for its ever-growing cocoa bean production. The city is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sunyani which is under the bishop of Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi. Sunyani is also home to many educational institutions, such as the Sunyani Technical University and the University of Energy and Natural Resources.

History

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Historically, Sunyani was a popular camping ground for elephant hunters during the late 19th century. In 1924, the British set up a district headquarters in the city and with the construction of a road between it and Kumasi, Sunyani became an economic hub.[3]

Geography

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Sunyani is located at 07°20′N 02°20′W / 7.333°N 2.333°W / 7.333; -2.333 (7.333333, -2.333333), approximately 105 miles (169 km) southwest of Kumasi and 300 miles (480 km) away from Accra.[4] The city have an average elevation of 308 metres (1,010 ft).[5]

Municipality area

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The city is located in the Sunyani Municipal District which covered a land area of 506.7 km2 (195.6 sq mi). The municipality bordered the Sunyani West District from the north, the Dormaa East District towards the west, the Asutifi North District from the south and the Tano North District towards the southeast.[2]: 1 

Environmental Issues

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Flood-prone areas in Sunyani

  highly flood-prone areas - 21.32 %
  flood-prone areas - 39.65 %
  slightly flood-prone areas - 28.06 %
  non flood-prone areas - 10.97 %

In cities all across Ghana, including Sunyani, increases in the risks of flooding hazards have placed a strain on existing drainage systems present in the settlements. According to findings from a 2024 study, it suggest that increased precipitation is the main culprit because urban areas situated on flat plains, such as Sunyani, with poor drainage systems are more prone to flooding. They also found that the rapid urbanization as a result of the increase in population is another cause in increase flood risks. Data on flood-prone areas in Sunyani are lackluster at best.[6]

Climate

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The city has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), experiencing both rainy and dry seasons retrospectively. Precipitation, on a monthly basis, is about 97.53 mm (0.3200 ft). The average monthly mean temperatures ranges around 31.24 °C (88.23 °F) while the average monthly minimum temperatures is around 21.46 °C (70.63 °F). The average monthly relative humidity is about 58.10%.[5] Water bodies that flow through Sunyani are the Tano, Amoma, Kankam, Benu, Yaya and Bisi rivers. Sunyani is located within a moist forested zone, home to many different kinds of tree species. The city is also home to two major forest reserves: the Yaya forest reserve and the Amoma forest reserve.[2]: 1 

Climate data for Sunyani (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 38.3
(100.9) 		38.8
(101.8) 		39.3
(102.7) 		37.0
(98.6) 		36.4
(97.5) 		34.7
(94.5) 		32.2
(90.0) 		34.8
(94.6) 		32.7
(90.9) 		33.1
(91.6) 		35.0
(95.0) 		35.5
(95.9) 		39.3
(102.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 33.4
(92.1) 		35.0
(95.0) 		34.4
(93.9) 		32.8
(91.0) 		31.8
(89.2) 		30.1
(86.2) 		28.6
(83.5) 		28.2
(82.8) 		29.2
(84.6) 		30.3
(86.5) 		31.5
(88.7) 		31.8
(89.2) 		31.4
(88.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.5
(79.7) 		28.5
(83.3) 		28.5
(83.3) 		27.7
(81.9) 		27.1
(80.8) 		26.0
(78.8) 		25.1
(77.2) 		24.8
(76.6) 		25.4
(77.7) 		26.0
(78.8) 		26.6
(79.9) 		26.1
(79.0) 		26.5
(79.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 19.7
(67.5) 		21.9
(71.4) 		22.7
(72.9) 		22.6
(72.7) 		22.4
(72.3) 		21.9
(71.4) 		21.6
(70.9) 		21.3
(70.3) 		21.6
(70.9) 		21.6
(70.9) 		21.8
(71.2) 		20.5
(68.9) 		21.6
(70.9)
Record low °C (°F) 11.1
(52.0) 		15.4
(59.7) 		16.1
(61.0) 		19.1
(66.4) 		18.9
(66.0) 		18.5
(65.3) 		18.0
(64.4) 		17.3
(63.1) 		18.5
(65.3) 		17.3
(63.1) 		16.5
(61.7) 		13.0
(55.4) 		11.1
(52.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 9.0
(0.35) 		45.9
(1.81) 		92.4
(3.64) 		157.0
(6.18) 		154.4
(6.08) 		181.2
(7.13) 		88.5
(3.48) 		57.5
(2.26) 		162.7
(6.41) 		163.1
(6.42) 		52.7
(2.07) 		10.2
(0.40) 		1,174.6
(46.24)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 0.6 3.0 6.5 9.3 9.9 11.6 7.1 6.2 11.6 13.4 5.4 1.1 85.7
Source: NOAA[7]

Government

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Further information: Sunyani East (Ghana parliament constituency)

The municipality has a mayor–council form of government, the city of Sunyani itself doesn't have one on its own. The mayor (executive chief) is appointed president of Ghana and approved by the city council, the Sunyani Municipal Assembly.[8] As of 2024, the current mayor of the municipality is Hon. Ansu Kumi.[1]

Cityscape

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Sunyani is a popular resettlement location for people all across the country due to its strategic central location, approximately to services such as educational institutions and health facilities, and being near the Ahafo mine. More than half of the housing stock in the city is made up of compound houses.[9]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
197023,780—    
198438,834+63.3%
200061,992+59.6%
201075,366+21.6%
Source: Ghana Statistical Service.[a]

As of the 2010 census, Sunyani has a population of 75,366 people, making it the sixth largest city in Ghana.[2]: 73  The majority of the city's residents is religious, accounted for about 96% of the population. Christianity is the most practiced religion followed by Islam and traditional African religions. Numerous ethnic groups resided in Sunyani, including the Akan, Northerner, Ewe, and Ga-Adangbe.[2]: 29  According to a 2018 report, drug use in the city increased by 12%. A recent report from 2021 found that most residents who suffer from substance abuse were in search of healthcare.[11]

Culture

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St Anselms Anglican Cathedral Church

The city is home to an art centre, the Bono Regional Centre for National Culture, managed by the National Commission on Culture. The museum helps with organizing culture-related programs for schools within the municipality. Although, many have argued that these programs encouraged "retrogression" and for people to retain onto their own ways, even if there are better options available.[12] As of 2022, the museum is close and is currently undergoing renovations.[13] The city is also home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, established on 30 March 1973.[14]

Economy

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The city's economy is mostly agrarian with about 48% of the population engaged in activities relating to agriculture. About 24% of the population is working in the service sector, followed by commerce and industry.[15]

Street hawking

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A man selling coconuts in Sunyani

Street hawking in Sunyani, according to findings from a 2024 report, is most commonly done by women who lacks education and knowledge in some kind of trade. They are usually found in unauthorized public areas for reasons such as being closer to potential consumers and availability of space.[16]

Agriculture

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Agriculture in Sunyani is concentrated in one-thirds of the city's total land area. Farmers usually rely on rainwater without or barely any kind of irrigation practice. Although, farms along the banks of the Tano River does intergrade irrigation practices into their cultivation. Crops cultivated include cabbage, garden eggs, carrots, pepper, tomatoes, and cocoa. According to findings from a 2023 study, cocoa bean production in city is relatively low due to poor land management as a result of sharp increases in the city's population and forest degradation.[17] The Cocoa House, located in Sunyani and built by the Ghana Cocoa Board, pays respect to the cocoa industry of the country as a whole.[18]

Industry

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Sunyani is home to African Global Pharma Limited (AGP), the only pharmaceutical manufacturing company in the city. The company is an affiliated company of AGP Canada Inc. with corporate office in Toronto, Canada and produces generic drugs.[19]

Infrastructure

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Sanitation

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See also: Water supply and sanitation in Ghana

According to a 2015 report using a small sample size, the people of Sunyani used a mix of public and private toilets, some of which are located relatively far from the city centre. There is one disposal site in the city consisting of 6 treatment ponds, all of which are no longer sufficient. In reality, data on how sludge is managed in the city is minimal.[20]

Healthcare

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Further information: Healthcare in Ghana

Healthcare in Sunyani is regulated by the Sunyani Municipal Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service. As of 2010, the city have a total of 6 hospitals, 12 clinics, 7 CHPS compounds[b], and 3 maternity homes.[2]: 4  The city is home to the Sunyani Municipal Hospital, opened in 1927 and served as the regional hospital until the opening of the Bono Regional Hospital in 2003, now known as the Sunyani Teaching Hospital.[22][23] Vaccine coverage in the city is considered one of the best in the country. These vaccines, specifically childhood ones, are delivered at health facilities and outreach points. The outreach points are key to deliver vaccines directly to beneficiaries. A 2021 study, prioritizing in the uptake of the administration of malaria vaccines in the municipality, found that there is around a 90% uptake in the administrating doses RTS,S 1 and 2, meeting WHO's target of 90% while the uptake of RTS,S 3 was about 80%.[24]

Education

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Sunyani Technical University

Education in the city is managed by the education department of the Sunyani municipal assembly, directed by Mr Mark Godfred Domah.[25] The city, along with the municipality is home to 111 basic schools, 50 junior high schools, five senior high/vocational schools and two tertiary institutions.[2]: 3 

Sunyani is home to numerous high schools, some of which are listed below:[26]

The city's higher educational institutions include the Sunyani Technical University, a tertiary institution offering degrees in engineering, science, and technology. It was established in 1967 as a technical institute, upgraded to a polytechnic in 1997 and was converted to the Sunyani Technical University in 2016.[27] Another institution of higher education is the University of Energy and Natural Resources, a publicly-funded university established in 2011 prioritizing careers in management of energy and natural resources in the country.[28]

Sports

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Sunyani is home to one major football venue, Coronation Park, which have a maximum capacity of 5,000 people. During preparations of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, the stadium was renovated although was not used in the competition. The venue is home to a couple of football clubs, such as BA Stars F.C., Young Apostles F.C., and Prisons Ladies F.C. along with others.[29]

Transport

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The city is served by the Sunyani Airport, a domestic airport opened on 13 July 1974 and operated by Ghana Airports Company Limited. The airport was built in 1942 and was used by the Allies during World War II. After the airstrip was abandoned, in 1969, the Government upgraded it into an airport and was eventually opened.[30]

In late September 2022, Uber opened up operations in Sunyani along with Tamale. This makes it one out of six cities in Ghana and 18 cities across West Africa where Uber is available.[31] Local vehicles used for transportation are usually old and insufficient according to findings found by a 2017 study. Walking is the main mode of transportation for getting around the city. Transport is, on average, in the private sector, dominated by taxicabs or tro tros. Road infrastructure, managed by the municipal assembly, is considered to be deficient.[32]

International Relations

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Awards

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Sunyani was voted the cleanest city in Ghana of 2007 by the Ghana Tourism Authority. As part of this award, Digital Production Partnership (DPP), an advertising agency, offered a billboard worth about US$62 to help with advertisements of the municipality.[33]

Sister cities – twin towns

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Africa § Ghana

Sunyani, in partnership with nearby Techiman, currently has a sister city relationship with:

Notable people

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Main page: Category:People from Sunyani District

See also

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Explanatory notes

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  1. ^ Sources: 2000 census,[10] 2010 census,[2]: 73 
  2. ^ CHPS hospitals are a national technique to help provide essential health services to communities who lack access to proper health care.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b Peprah, D. (14 February 2024). "Fifty-one member Sunyani Municipal Assembly inaugurated". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 2010 population & housing census (PDF) (Report). Sunyani Municipality: Ghana Statistical Service. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Sunyani, Ghana". Britannica. 1998. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  4. ^ Straight line distances from: Daft Logic; "Google Maps Distance Calculator". Archived from the original on 26 July 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b Bessah, E.; Amponsah, W.; Ansah, S.; et al. (23 February 2022). "Climatic zoning of Ghana using selected meteorological variables for the period 1976–2018". Meteorological Applications. 29 (1). doi:10.1002/met.2049. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  6. ^ Tetteh, A.; Moomen, A.; Yevugah, L.; Tengnibuor, A. (2024). "Geospatial approach to pluvial flood-risk and vulnerability assessment in Sunyani Municipality". Heliyon. 10 (18). doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38013. PMC 11459055. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Sunyani Normals 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  8. ^ A Guide to District Assemblies in Ghana (PDF). Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Ghana. 2010. pp. 37, 38. ISBN 9988572131. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Discrimination in the rental housing market in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana". Urban, Planning and Transport Research. 10 (2). 13 May 2022. doi:10.1080/21650020.2022.2072947. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Population of Regions and Districts Report (2000) (Report). Vol. 1. Ghana Statistical Service. p. 126. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  11. ^ Cadri, A.; Nagumsi, B.; Twi-Yeboah, A.; et al. (2021). "Facilitators and Barriers to Health Seeking among People Who Use Drugs in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana: An Exploratory Study". BioMed Research International. doi:10.1155/2021/2868953. PMC 8405291. PMID 34471636. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  12. ^ Okrah, K. (2003). Nyansapo (The Wisdom Knot) Toward an African Philosophy of Education. Taylor & Francis. pp. 54, 75. ISBN 0415947332.
  13. ^ "Bono Regional Centre for National Culture undergoing facelift". Ghanaian Times. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Ghana: Catholic Diocese of Sunyani celebrates three Anniversaries". Vatican News. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Problems of financing SMEs in Ghana: a case study of the Sunyani Municipality" (PDF). Research Papers in Economics (published 27 November 2015). 4 January 2015. p. 14. 68086. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  16. ^ Anaafo, D.; Nutsugbodo, R.; Agyepong, E.; et al. (2024). "Place making decisions among informal street food vendors in Sunyani, Ghana". Cities. 154. doi:10.1016/j.cities.2024.105328. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  17. ^ Osei-Gyabaah, A.; Antwi, M.; Addo, S.; Osei, P. (2023). "Land suitability analysis for cocoa (Theobroma cacao) production in the Sunyani municipality, Bono region, Ghana". Smart Agricultural Technology. 5. doi:10.1016/j.atech.2023.100262. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  18. ^ Akoto, B. (28 March 2024). "Cocoa House: A magnificent agri-architecture at the heart of Sunyani, worthy of replication". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Emerging World Pharma Inc. Strategic Partner African Global Pharma GH Receives Ghana Food and Drug Board Packaging and Insert Approvals for Paracetamol Tablets" (Press release). Marketwired. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via Yahoo! Finance.
  20. ^ Mallory, A.; Crapper, M.; Gyasi, S.F.; Boamah, B. (31 December 2015). A socio-economic analysis of different approaches to faecal sludge treatment in Sunyani, Ghana. WEDC International Conference. Loughborough University. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  21. ^ "National Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Policy" (PDF). Ministry of Health. 2014. p. 13. Retrieved 9 October 2024. ...CHPS is a national mechanism to deliver essential community based health services involving planning and service delivery with the communities...
  22. ^ Semevoh, P. (25 July 2021). "Rotary Club equips maternal unit of Sunyani Municipal Hospital". Joy FM. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  23. ^ Semevoh, P. (19 November 2023). "Sunyani Teaching Hospital inaugurated". Joy FM. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  24. ^ Tabiri, D.; Ouédraogo, J.; Nortey, P. (2021). "Factors associated with malaria vaccine uptake in Sunyani Municipality, Ghana". Malaria Journal. 20 (1): 325. doi:10.1186/s12936-021-03857-1. PMC 8314499. PMID 34315489.
  25. ^ "Education". Sunyani Municipal Assembly. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  26. ^ The following is a list of high schools and tertiary institutions in Ghana: "Senior high and technical vocational schools" (PDF). Ghana Education Service. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  27. ^ Aboagye, B.; Puoza, J. (2021). "Study on employability of mechanical engineering graduates from Sunyani Technical University of Ghana" (PDF). Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability. 12 (2): 186. doi:10.21153/jtlge2021vol12no2art1002. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  28. ^ Peprah, D. (22 January 2023). "Uinversity of Energy and Natural Resources opens three-day management retreat". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  29. ^ Ali, B. (10 June 2023). "No home venue for newly promoted Bofoakwa - Coronation Park in shambles". Graphic Online. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  30. ^ "Commissioning of Sunyani Airport Project" (PDF). Ghana Airports Company Limited. 3 August 2022. p. 7. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  31. ^ Kuuire, J. (6 September 2022). "Uber Announces New Mobility and Safety Features in Ghana; Expands To Tamale and Sunyani". Tech Labari. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  32. ^ Poku-Boansi, M.; Asuah, A.; Cobbinah, P. (2017). "Contextualizing transport infrastructure and services in Ghanaian peri-urbanism". International Planning Studies. 23 (2). Taylor & Francis: 4, 7, 10. doi:10.1080/13563475.2017.1396963. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  33. ^ "Poor attitude compounding sanitation challenges in Sunyani". The Ghanaian Chronicle. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  34. ^ Foshee, T. (26 August 2011). "Sister Cities delegates gather in Tuscaloosa to mark friendship". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  35. ^ "Geoffrey Acheampong". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  36. ^ Schirru, F. (21 November 2021). "Chi è Afena-Gyan, l'attaccante della Roma che ha incantato contro il Genoa". goal.com (in Italian). Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  37. ^ "Next Generation 2020: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  38. ^ "Lisa-Marie Kwayie". NBC Olympic broadcasts. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  39. ^ Boateng, K. (17 July 2015). "NPP primaries: Incumbent MP re-endorsed after court ordered recount". Citi 97.3 FM. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  40. ^ "Химки приобретут защитника Берекум Челси Кподо" [Khimki will acquire Berekum Chelsea defender Kpodo]. championat.com (in Russian). Championat. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  41. ^ "Shaka Mawuli Eklu approda in biancorosso" (Press release) (in Italian). Südtirol. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  42. ^ "'I'm carrying the hopes of 5m disabled Ghanaians'". BBC Sport. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  43. ^ "Gnadenlos ausgenommen". Der Spiegel (in German). 29 December 1991. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  44. ^ "Who is Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni". Graphic Online. 14 March 2018. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  45. ^ Teye, P. (30 March 2020). "Ghana loses second legend in two days as Kwasi Owusu passes away". goal.com. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
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07°20′N 02°20′W / 7.333°N 2.333°W / 7.333; -2.333

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