Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif has urged the Ghana Olympic Committee to remain committed to organising a successful African Games.
With Ghana set to host the intra-continental event in 2023, the Sports Minister has assured the GOC of the government’s support in ensuring the competition is a success.
“What is even more crucial for us, as a nation, is the 2023 Africa Games, which we are hosting. It is a National Project, which all of us must be committed to, to leave a lasting legacy as host nation in terms of organisation of the competition, and the successful participation of our athletes,” Mustapha Ussif said at the GOC’s Elective Congress on Monday.
“On our part as government, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has firmly pledged government’s commitment towards ensuring a successful organisation of the Africa Games.”
He encouraged the GOC to work towards leaving a lasting memory after the competition, intimating that preparation for the tournament ought to start in earnest.
“A successful Africa Games in 2023, also means our athletes in the various sporting disciplines doing very well on home soil. That is why preparation towards achieving that should start now, by going back to the grassroots, to find more talents and prepare them for the task ahead,” he said.
“The 2023 Africa Games offers our country a unique opportunity to revitalize all aspects of our sports, including development, promotion and active organisation of competitions, especially at the lower levels to unearth more talents.”
Mustapha Ussif had earlier spoken of his determination to host the “best-ever” African Games as Minister.
He told Parliament’s Appointments Committee during his two-hour vetting that this was the legacy he wanted to leave as Sports Minister.
“We are very focused. The government is committed to hosting the best ever All Africa Games in the country,” he said a fortnight ago.