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Ghana has officially been confirmed as the host of the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place from May 12 to 17, 2026, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon, Accra.
The confirmation follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Ghana Athletics, and the Government of Ghana. The agreement was formalized at a ceremony attended by CAA President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the Confederation’s Chief Executive Officer, Lamine Fati, and senior Ghanaian government officials.
The Government of Ghana was represented by the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, who described the development as a significant milestone in the country’s sports administration and international engagement. He expressed confidence in Ghana’s readiness to successfully host the continental championship, citing strong support from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the minister, sports development remains a national priority under the current administration, with budgetary allocations directed toward upgrading key sports infrastructure ahead of major international competitions. He noted that hosting the African Senior Athletics Championships presents Ghana with an opportunity to accelerate infrastructure development while strengthening its long-term athletics programmes.
“Ghana is committed to delivering a world-class championship that reflects our capabilities as a nation and leaves a lasting legacy for sports development,” Mr. Adams said, adding that the event is expected to attract global attention and further enhance Ghana’s reputation as a dependable host of major sporting events.
CAA President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum praised Ghana for emerging successful in a competitive bidding process that included countries such as Botswana. He urged Ghana to uphold the spirit of Pan-Africanism by ensuring a well-organised championship that promotes unity and excellence through sport.
Mr. Malboum also commended Ghana’s leadership, particularly President John Dramani Mahama, for continued support for sports development and strong governance over the past year.
The 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships are expected to bring together elite athletes from across the continent, positioning Ghana as a central hub for African athletics. Beyond competition, the event aligns with Ghana’s broader sports development agenda, which seeks to inspire young athletes, promote excellence, and strengthen continental solidarity through athletics.
