The Minister for Sports and Recreation has called for increased investment in athletics infrastructure across the country, warning that limited facilities are holding back the development of young talent.
Speaking at the launch of the 24th African Athletics Championships, Kofi Iddie Adams said it is unacceptable that several regions still lack basic training infrastructure for athletes.
“It is not right that some regions in Ghana do not have proper tracks for our budding athletes to train on,” he stated.
The championship is scheduled to take place from May 12 to May 17, 2026, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, marking a major moment for Ghana as it prepares to host the continent.
The Minister referenced the stellar performances of senior high school athletes at the recently concluded inter-schools competitions, describing it as proof of the country’s vast but underdeveloped potential.
He noted that despite the lack of adequate facilities in some parts of the country, young athletes continue to excel, stressing that improved infrastructure would significantly enhance performance and nurture future champions.
The call forms part of broader efforts to position Ghana as a competitive force in athletics, while ensuring that talent development is supported with the right facilities nationwide.
Kofi Adams explained that despite limited facilities in some regions, young athletes continue to excel, adding that strategic investment in infrastructure would significantly improve performance and help produce world-class competitors.
Speaking at the same event, the President of the Ghana Athletics Association, Bawa Fuseini, announced that Ghana will procure additional electronic timing equipment to meet international standards ahead of the Accra 2026 African Athletics Championships, as organisers move to prevent technical challenges that have affected competitions in countries like Nigeria and Kenya.
According to him, the importance of accurate and reliable systems for a competition of this scale.
He said the decision is informed by past incidents on the continent, noting that Ghana is determined to avoid similar setbacks by aligning its systems with World Championships and Olympic requirements.
“This is the first time Ghana is hosting the African Athletics Championships, and we are putting in place the right structures to meet global standards,” he said.
