Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports, has stated that the facilities for the 2023 Africa Games would be finished and turned over to organisers ahead of schedule to enable the seamless operation of the continental event.
With only eight months to go, there are concerns over Ghana’s capacity to host the competition, since several infrastructure projects are still underway.
The competition’s two locations, Borteyman and the University of Ghana, are currently under development.
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2023 Africa Games, the Sports Ministry, and the office of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana went on a tour with the media to assess the work done thus far.
The trip, which took place at the University of Ghana, saw the media, the LOC for the games, the Sports Minister and his deputy, and engineers review the campus facilities to verify that work is progressing in preparation for the games, which will take place in March 2024.
The tour began at the Rugby Field and concluded at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium. The major stakeholders were given an overview of what has been accomplished thus far and what may be expected in the next months.
Everyone was moved from the rugby pitch, where they were shown the media area, VIP section and closets, to the Dome Site, which includes a canteen, a 10-bed clinic, a kitchen and a generator set.
The crew then assessed the halls to see if air conditioners had been repaired, damaged doors had been replaced, washrooms had been renovated, and mattresses had been replaced.
The party was brought to the sports stadium, where engineers demonstrated construction on the training centre, which was located around five metres away from the stadium.
The turf at the main stadium was also inspected before the trip concluded with a media briefing on the excursion’s aims.
In an interview with Citi Sports, Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif stated that Ghana is on track and would be able to host the African continent in March 2024.
Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, expressed her delight at seeing the huge effort done on campus and emphasised how the games will not disrupt the school’s academic cycle.
The LOC chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare, then urged the media to publicise the good job done to encourage Ghanaians to support the tournament and turn out in large numbers when the time comes.
