Sports Ministry granted GHS 195.7 million budget approval by Parliament
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has received parliamentary approval for its 2024 budget, which includes funds allocated for the organisation of the 13th African Games in Ghana.
The total budget approved was GH¢195,795,973, with a significant portion earmarked for the continental sporting event.
According to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, Ghana is committed to hosting a successful African Games, and has made significant investments in infrastructure to ensure the event’s success.
He highlighted the construction of a state-of-the-art aqua centre with a 10-lane competition pool and an eight-lane warm-up pool, as well as a 1,000-seat multi-purpose hall for indoor games and five tennis courts with a 1,000-seat capacity.
The University of Ghana Stadium, which has been under construction since 2007, is nearing completion and will host several events during the African Games. Additionally, six out of ten stadiums being built to serve as youth centres are now ready, with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo scheduled to inaugurate the Koforidua Stadium on December 28, 2023.
The National Sports Authority (NSA) has also initiated various programs aimed at empowering young people in the country. These include a national volunteer program for the youth in various communities, as well as a STEM program for nearly 657 people in training in cosmetology, fashion design, and ICT.
Minister Ussif emphasised the significance of the African Games, stating that the event is expected to attract over 5,000 athletes, 3,000 officials, 2,000 volunteers, and an estimated one billion online and global viewers.
The games will feature 30 sporting disciplines, including eight Olympic qualifying events and others as demonstration sports, which will help boost the local economy.
As part of the legacy of the African Games, Accra is being positioned as a sports hub, with plans to engage various federations to organize more sporting events beyond the games.
Minister Ussif expressed optimism about the potential of Accra becoming the 2024 Africa Sports City, saying, “We are talking to the Africa Union to declare Accra as the 2024 Africa Sports City where we will engage various federations to organise more sporting events beyond the games.”
