The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has inaugurated a Local Organising Committee (LOC) to steer Ghana’s preparations for the 24th African Seniors Athletics Championships, which will be hosted in Accra in 2026.
The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation conference room, officially kick-starts planning for the continental competition scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana Stadium, Legon, from May 12 to 17, 2026. The championships are expected to attract over a thousand athletes and officials from across Africa.
In his address, the Minister described 2026 as a particularly demanding year for Ghana’s sports calendar, citing the country’s participation in major international competitions including the FIFA World Cup, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. He stressed, however, that hosting the African Seniors Athletics Championships placed an additional responsibility on Ghana to deliver a world-class event.
Mr Adams cautioned the committee about the magnitude of the task ahead, noting that managing the logistics for a large number of athletes and accompanying officials would require meticulous planning and coordination.
He further revealed that the event is expected to attract global attention, disclosing that the President of World Athletics, Lord Sebastian Coe, is anticipated to attend the championships. According to the Minister, the presence of such high-profile personalities would place Ghana firmly in the international spotlight.Ghanaian sports merchandise
The LOC is chaired by the Managing Director of Ghana Commercial Bank, Farihan Alhassan, and comprises representatives from key sports and public institutions, including Ghana Athletics, the National Sports Authority, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, National Security, and the private sector.
Mr Adams urged the committee to see the championship not only as a hosting obligation but also as an opportunity to revive interest in athletics at the grassroots level. Drawing from his own experiences, he observed that athletics once attracted widespread participation in schools, adding that with improved organisation, the sport could reclaim its prominence.
He linked the success of the championship to broader national efforts to strengthen school sports, referencing the appointment of Professor Sarpong as National School Sports Coordinator under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama. The Minister encouraged the LOC to ensure the event leaves a lasting legacy for Ghana’s athletics development.
Responding on behalf of the committee, a member of the LOC, Bawah Fuseini, assured the Minister and the nation of their commitment to deliver a successful championship. He pledged that the committee would justify the confidence reposed in them and ensure the event brings pride to Ghana.