By: Nana Kwame Bediako
The President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has commissioned the Borteyman Sports Complex in preparation for the 13th African Games, which will be held in Ghana from March 8-23, 2024.
With expectations on the rise for a wonderful African game that will be hosted for the first time in Ghana since its implementation, the event, which is tipped as the Olympics of Africa, will welcome 3500 athletes from 54 countries across the African continent for the big showpiece.
As Ghanaians and most sports fans gradually prepare to support the big event, President Akufo-Addo shared his excitement and optimism about the 13th African Games taking place in Ghana before he officially commissioned the venue.
He stated that although the construction of the Borteyman Sports Complex has been a success, there were some hurdles along the way following the unexpected effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the infrastructural development plans and general preparations.
“In the last seven years, my government has renovated the Ohene Gyan Sports Stadium, the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, and the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. In addition to this, the government has built ten sports stadiums in the ten original regions of our country. Six of these stadiums, namely Wa in the Upper West, Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Central, Axim in the Western, Dormaa Ahenkro in Bono, Ho in Volta, and Koforidua in the Eastern, are ready with four other turfs to be completed this year,” President Nana Akufo-Addo said on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.
President Akufo-Addo added that the government has built 150 astroturfs across the country and hinted that, on his coming in as president of Ghana in 2017, Ghana had only three public astroturfs in the country. He also pointed out that his government is expected to construct another 100 astroturfs before the year ends.
“As we enter the final stretch of our preparation for the African Games next month, the government, the government of the African Union, the Association of the National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), the Association of Africa Sports Confederations (AASC), and other partners will do everything possible to make our visitors welcome and ensure the best arrangements,” said President Akufo-Addo.
He further urged the Sports Minister and the local organising committee to go all out and organise the best African Games in history.
