On August 31, 2021, The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut sod for the commissioning of a Sports infrastructure at Borteyman in Accra, meant for the hosting of the 13th African games in 2023.
In his welcome address, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif thanked His Excellency for the support and thoughts to build a new sporting infrastructure for the country. He expressed his profound gratitude to the traditional rulers of Borteyman and also assured the general public of an expedite construction to ensure that the project goes as expected.
H. E Nana Akufo Addo addressed the various dignitaries present at the ceremony. Speaking at the sod-cutting, he congratulated the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the able leadership of the former minister and current member of Parliament for Atwima- Mponua Hon. Isaac Asiamah and his able lieutenants for their excellent cooperation for bringing this to ashore. He noted that this is the first time in the nation’s history to host and organize the African games. He added that, despite the pandemic across the world, Ghana is going to organize the best African games in history.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated that the infrastructure will include 400-metre 6-Lane Athletics Warm-Up Track with playing field for football; Washrooms, Spectator stand for 500 people. One Thousand-Seater Competition Swimming Pool, collapsible to Five Hundred (500) Seater, 8-lane Competition Swimming, 8-Lane Warm-up Swimming Pool, Five Hundred-Seater (500) Temporary Dome (Handball, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, etc.). One Thousand-Seater (1,000) Multi-Purpose Sports Hall (Badminton, Boxing, Volleyball, Weightlifting, etc.), Five (5) Tennis Courts complex including One Thousand-Seater (1,000) Centre Court (Covered Spectator Stand with a VVIP viewing stand), Space for Children’s Playground. He further stated that, the 50,000 Capacity Olympic stadium will not be built due to time constraints. Nevertheless, these facilities will be constructed at Borteyman while we leverage on the existing facilities of the University of Ghana.
He expressed his gratitude to the African Union for honoring Ghana for the right to host and organize the 13th African games in 2023. He assured the African Union of Ghana’s readiness to host the most successful and memorable African games in the game’s history. He further thanked members of Parliament and crave their indulgence to view the hosting of the African games as a national project, whilst working extensively on all matters concerning the games. He asked Ghanaians to join hands in unity as we strive to maintain peace for progress and prosperity.
Joan Oduro-Nyarko
NSA-PR
01/09/2021