The Osu Mantse, Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, has endorsed the 2025 Absa Black Star marathon, underlining its significance in fostering healthy living and community welfare.

The Osu Mantse threw his support behind this year’s event when a group from Absa Bank Ghana and the Black Star Marathon Foundation paid him a courtesy call at the Osu Palace to formally invite him to the marathon.

This year’s marathon, set for Saturday, July 26, 2025, would feature a 42.2km race with a wheelchair event in both the men’s and women’s races, as well as a 10km run, walk, and jog.

The event, which is on the theme “Your Story Matters”, would begin and end at Independence Square in Accra.

During the meeting, Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV thanked the organisers for their respect and formality in seeking the blessing of traditional authorities.

He praised the marathon as a positive step towards enhancing community health and encouraged all Ghanaians to participate and support this vital cause.

Mr Richard Doe – Sallah of Absa Bank Ghana, speaking on behalf of the organisers, highlighted the broader vision behind the marathon.

“We came here this morning to invite Osu Mantse and his subjects to join us in this very important marathon that is going to happen on their land,” he said.

“It is also a way of saying that we recognise the fact that we are having this event on your land, and we want you and the whole traditional area to be part of this important international marathon.”

He emphasised that the event aligns with Absa’s corporate mission to make a positive and inclusive impact on society.

“The marathon itself is geared towards supporting healthy living and lifestyle, and also addressing critical health issues like kidney disease,” he added.

Also present was Naa Adokarley Mettle Tutu of the Black Star Marathon Foundation, who reiterated the health-focused goals of the event.

“We are on a mission to promote good health, vitality, tourism, and awareness of kidney disease, which has become a major concern in Ghana. We want the entire community and traditional leadership to stand with us in this national effort for wellness and transformation,” said Naa Adorkarley.

The prize pool for this year’s marathon has been increased, with the total exceeding GH¢132,400.

Both the men’s and women’s marathon winners will receive GH¢15,000 each, with special prizes allocated for other categories. Registration for the event is currently open and will close on Monday, June 30, 2025.