Osei Kofi, the pharmacist who finished second in the Adom TV Dame Dame Kumasi edition, says the game of draughts deserves far more credit than it gets in Ghana.
Speaking after his loss to champion Abu National in the grand finale at the GNAT Hall on 5th December 2025, Osei addressed what he called a persistent misconception.
“People think draughts is for lazy people,” he said. “But it’s not. It opens your mind. You can’t do well in this game unless you think ahead, stay focused, and make disciplined decisions.”
Osei, who impressed throughout the tournament before falling short in the final, said the sport demands the same level of mental commitment expected in any competitive field. He believes more players, clubs, and schools should treat draughts as a serious mind sport rather than a casual pastime.
The Kumasi edition drew strong competition from across the Ashanti Region, with Abu National eventually taking home the GHS 10,000 prize. Osei earned GHS 5,000 as runner-up and later went on to defeat Atta K. 2–0 in the third-place playoff for an additional GHS 3,000.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the title, Osei said the tournament showed how much skill and discipline the game requires.
“Draughts sharpens your thinking,” he said. “Anyone who takes the game seriously will see that.”
