Ghana has officially secured the rights to host the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships in 2026, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between key stakeholders.
The agreement was formalized during a ceremony attended by the President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Mr. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, CAA CEO Mr. Lamine Fati, and Ghanaian officials.
The MoU was signed between the CAA, Ghana Athletics, and the Government of Ghana, represented by the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams.
The championships are scheduled to take place from May 12 to 17, 2026, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon, Accra.
Hon. Kofi Adams expressed strong confidence in Ghana’s readiness, highlighting the full support of President John Dramani Mahama. He noted that provisions have been made in the national budget to upgrade critical sports infrastructure in preparation for the event.
“This is an excellent opportunity for Ghana to focus on sports infrastructure development, which will have lasting benefits for our athletic programs,” the Minister said. He assured that Ghana is committed to delivering a world-class event that will showcase the country’s capabilities on the global stage and attract international attention.
CAA President Mr. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum commended Ghana for emerging as a strong contender for the hosting rights ahead of other nations like Botswana. He urged the country to demonstrate the true spirit of Pan-Africanism through the successful organisation and execution of the championships.
Malboum also expressed gratitude to Ghana’s leadership, praising President Mahama for his strong support and good governance over the past year.
The 2026 championships are expected to attract elite athletes from across the continent, further elevating Ghana’s status as a hub for international sports.
The event aligns with Ghana’s broader sports development agenda, focusing on promoting athletics excellence, fostering unity through sports, and strengthening the country’s position as a capable host of major continental and global sporting events.
As preparations begin, Ghana looks forward to delivering a memorable championships that will celebrate Africa’s athletic talent on a grand stage.
