Ghana has officially secured the hosting rights for the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place from May 12 to 17, 2026, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon, Accra.
The confirmation follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Ghana Athletics, and the Government of Ghana. The agreement was formalized at a ceremony attended by the President of the CAA, Mr. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the Confederation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lamine Fati, and key Ghanaian government officials.
The Government of Ghana was represented at the signing by the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, who described the development as a major milestone in Ghana’s sports administration and international engagement. He expressed confidence in the country’s readiness to host the continental event, citing strong backing from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Hon. Adams, the President has made sports development a national priority, with provisions in the national budget aimed at upgrading key sports infrastructure ahead of major international competitions. He noted that hosting the African Senior Athletics Championships offers Ghana a strategic opportunity to accelerate infrastructure development while creating long-term benefits for the nation’s athletics programs.
“Ghana is committed to delivering a world-class championship that will reflect our capabilities as a nation and leave a lasting legacy for sports development,” the minister said, adding that the event will attract global attention and further enhance Ghana’s reputation as a reliable host of major sporting events.
CAA President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum praised Ghana for emerging strongly in the competitive bidding process, which included countries such as Botswana. He urged Ghana to embody the spirit of Pan-Africanism by ensuring the successful organization of the championships and fostering unity through sports.
Mr. Malboum also commended Ghana’s leadership, particularly President John Dramani Mahama, for his continued support for sports and what he described as strong governance over the past year.
The 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships are expected to bring together elite athletes from across the continent, positioning Ghana as a central hub for African athletics. Beyond competition, the event aligns with Ghana’s broader sports development agenda, which seeks to promote excellence, inspire young athletes, and strengthen continental solidarity through athletics.
As preparations begin in earnest, Ghana looks forward to welcoming Africa’s finest athletes and showcasing its organizational strength, modern facilities, and rich sporting culture on one of the continent’s biggest athletics stages.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Monica Bukari
