President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama has stated that the Black Star Marathon will be added to the country’s tourism calendar as a means to boost tourism in Ghana through sports.
He said this in his speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the 2025 ABSA Black Star Marathon that took place at the Black Star Square in Ghana’s capital, Accra on Saturday, July 26.
The marathon course which covered 42.2 kilometres had hundreds of athletes trek through various landmarks in the city including Accra Sports Stadium and 37 Military Hospital.
The event also had para-athletes compete with recreational runners featuring in the 10 kilometre Walk or Run race that had Bassit Afful emerge as the winner after running a time of 30:27:99 minutes.
President Mahama shared how he impressed he was with the turnout at the event and added that the competition will be added to Ghana’s Tourism calendar.
#AbsaBlackStarMarathon — Our first 10km para-athlete is in! 🏁💪🏽
True strength. Pure heart. Massive respect.🎥 https://t.co/31EKUSoKwq#ChannelOneTV @AbsaGhana pic.twitter.com/Qw0NrvrqYb
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) July 26, 2025
“Next year you [the athletes] must be back here the prize money is going to be very good for all the different categories of people who run and so we are putting it as part of our tourism calendar and government is going to work with ABSA to make this the best marathon in Africa” President Mahama said.
#AbsaBlackStarMarathon: Winner’s pose activated! 🏅
She crushed the 10km like it was a warm-up.
🎥 https://t.co/31EKUSocGS#ChannelOneTV @AbsaGhana pic.twitter.com/iGApqzJ7uH— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) July 26, 2025
Celebrated para-athlete Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe won the para-athletes race while Koogo Atia won the Men’s 42.2 Kilometre race. Scroll down to watch President Mahama’s full speech at the 2025 ABSA Black Stars Marathon.
“We will make this the best marathon in Africa!” — President Mahama confirms the #AbsaBlackStarMarathon as a national tourism event 🇬🇭🏃♀️ Bigger prizes coming too!
🎥 Watch live: https://t.co/31EKUSoKwq#ChannelOneTV@AbsaGhana pic.twitter.com/GotO5hI1LH— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) July 26, 2025
