Ghana has commenced its preparations towards the hosting of the 2023 African Games. As part of this preparation, the country is expected to renovate some of its existing structures as well as construct new ones.
Accordingly, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, will today, Tuesday, August 31, 2021 cut the sod for construction works to begin on one of the sporting facilities.
The President is expected to perform the ceremony at Borteyman near Accra for the construction of the 50,000 capacity Olympic Standard stadium to kick start Ghana’s preparation to host the games.
Director of Communications at the Presidency, disclosed this at the Jubilee House press briefing in Accra.
The stadium will host facilities for about 25 sporting disciplines for the game. It will have multi-purpose sports halls for all indoor sports, aquatic centres for swimming and tennis courts.
Suspension of the project
It can be recalled that in 2020, President Akufo-Addo announced that land had been acquired to construct a stadium in Borteyman to host the games.
However, in July this year, Mr. Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports told Parliament that the government would not be able to meet set timelines to complete the project as a result of challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As such, he indicated that the Government of Ghana has suspended the construction of the 200-million-dollar 50,000 capacity stadium at Borteyman.
The sports minister further explained that instead, the Government would refurbish existing facilities across the country to host the event. He mentioned the University of Ghana’s uncompleted Stadium as one of the facilities that government intends to use as the centre for the games.
The sod cutting today, could therefore, means that government has decided to construct the new facility in addition to the refurbishment of the existing structures as earlier announced.
President to Visit Western and Western North Regions
Meanwhile, Mr Arhin, who gave highlights of the President’s itinerary for the week, said he would on Friday, September 3, 2021, embark on a working visit to the Western and Western North Regions. The visits from part of his annual routine of visiting every region to appraise what is going on with respect to the execution of government’s agenda.
Director of Communications at the Presidency further indicated that President Akufo-Addo would pay courtesy calls on traditional leaders, inspect works on ongoing projects as well as commission completed ones.
Mr Arhin further hinted that the President, after the tour of the Western and Western North Regions, would proceed to the Volta and Oti Regions on a later date.
The 13th edition of the Africa Games
The 13th edition of the Africa Games, formerly known as the All African Games would involve 54 participating countries and 25 sporting disciplines. The continental showpiece is expected to take place in three cities- Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast.
Meanwhile, the 2019 edition was hosted by Morocco following the country’s re-admission to the African Union in January 2017. A total of 340 events in 26 sporting disciplines were held in the last edition.
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