Ghana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to stage the 24th Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African Senior Athletics Championships, scheduled for 12–17 May 2026.
The MoU, which formally confirms Ghana as host nation, was signed between the Confederation of African Athletics, Ghana Athletics, and the Government of the Republic of Ghana, represented by the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams.
The championships will be held at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon, Accra.
The signing ceremony, hosted at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, marked the culmination of Ghana’s successful bid to host the continental event, beating competition from Botswana after a decisive vote by CAA member federations.
Addressing stakeholders at the ceremony, the Sports Minister reaffirmed government’s full commitment to delivering a successful championship. He stated unequivocally that Ghana is ready to host the event, stressing that the competition enjoys backing at the very highest levels of government.
He disclosed that provisions for the championships have already been captured in the 2026 national budget, a clear signal of institutional and financial preparedness. According to him, the Vice President and the Chief of Staff are firmly behind the hosting effort, underlining government’s resolve to ensure a seamless and world-class event.
A high-powered CAA delegation, led by its President, Col. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, was present to witness the signing. He was accompanied by the CAA Chief Executive Officer, Lamine Fati, and a Region II delegation headed by Chief Tonobok Okowa, who doubles as First Vice President of CAA and President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
Also in attendance were key figures from Ghana’s sporting ecosystem, including Ghana Athletics President, Bawah Fuseini, the Ghana Olympic Committee, represented by its President Lawyer Richard Akakpovie, and the National Sports Authority, represented by the Deputy Director-General (Technical), Madam Veronica Commey.
Speaking on the long-term significance of the championships, Mr Fuseini described the event as transformational for athletics development in Ghana.
He noted that beyond competition, hosting the African Championships would deliver lasting benefits in expertise, modern equipment, commercial opportunities, and institutional growth, insisting that Ghana Athletics would emerge stronger and more organised.
For his part, CAA President Col. Malboum explained the rationale behind Ghana’s selection, revealing that although two countries submitted bids for the 2026 edition, member federations overwhelmingly voted in Ghana’s favour.
He said the decision reflected deep confidence in Ghana’s organisational capacity, infrastructure, and recent track record in hosting major international sporting events.
Earlier in the day, the CAA and Ghana Athletics delegations paid courtesy visits to the National Sports Authority and the Ghana Olympic Committee, as part of broader stakeholder engagements ahead of the championships. The delegation also undertook an inspection tour of the University of Ghana Sports Stadium to assess facility readiness and compliance with CAA technical standards.
The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the CAA, Ghana Athletics, and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, defining roles, responsibilities, and technical obligations as preparations intensify.
Building on the successful hosting of the 13th African Games, Ghana is expected to once again demonstrate its credentials as a reliable host of elite continental competitions when Africa’s finest athletes converge on Accra in May 2026.
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