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The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has declared Ghana’s readiness to support any African country given the opportunity to host the World Athletics Championships, urging the continent to speak with one voice on issues of development.
Mr Adams made the call on Sunday, in Accra when he opened the African Athletics Championships Council Meeting at the African Regent Hotel.
The meeting precedes the African Athletics Championships, which kick off today at the Legon Sports Stadium, with member countries converging in the capital for the council sitting.
The Minister, who was the main speaker, admitted that the commitment shown by colleague speakers and the President of World Athletics
had “taken the wind truly out of my sail.”
“We may have our athletes competing based on our flags from individual countries, but when we meet as a federation like this, I want us to speak with one voice,” Mr Adams urged.
He cited past successful events on the continent — Kenya’s hosting of the U-20 competition, Uganda’s cross-country championship, and the recent World Relays organised in Botswana — as clear evidence that with minimal federal support, Africa is ready to host the World Championship.
“I can assure you, we are prepared as individual countries on the continent to support any African country that is given the opportunity to host the world championship. We will not leave that country alone. We will join hands to have a successful event that will go down in history as never organised before,” he said.
The Minister stressed that Ghana would stand with any African country that gets the opportunity to host, and expressed confidence that other nations present would do the same.
“Let our athletes compete, but let us work together as a collective to improve infrastructure in our various countries. Improvement in Kenya is improvement in Botswana. Improvement in Botswana is improvement in Ghana,” he added.
Mr Adams also announced that government had established a Sports Fund aimed at developing grassroots sports, with athletics standing to benefit immensely.
“Our idea is that athletes, especially, should not compete at the district level without the opportunity of running on proper tracks, jumping and landing on the appropriate platform. We want to give every athlete that opportunity,” he said.
He noted with concern that the days when athletes ran barefooted or tied makeshift footwear should become a thing of the past.
“They must all run with spikes, and collectively we can improve this situation,” he added.
The Minister commended Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, for his leadership, which he said had made athletics more attractive and competitive.
“Indeed, we are all assured that we compete fairly, and where there are issues, they have been settled within time. Your 10-year leadership, together with your vice presidents and team, has worked hard,” Mr. Adams said.
He, however, called for continuous capacity building, noting that sports keep changing and African countries must be supported to keep pace.
Lord Coe, who attended the meeting, lauded Africa’s efforts in athletics development and applauded the recently held World Athletics Relays in Botswana, as well as the African Diamond League and other African meets.
He praised Ghana for qualifying for the World Athletics Championships Beijing in the relays and lauded the country’s efforts in growing and developing athletics.
Lord Coe assured that his outfit would support Ghana in athletics development.
Bawa Fuseini, President of Ghana Athletics, who welcomed members to the meeting, said Ghana was fully prepared for Accra 2026.
Richard Akpokavie, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, also praised the championships.
The African Athletics Championships officially begin today at the Legon Sports Stadium, with athletes from across the continent vying for honours.
