President Akufo Addo cuts sod for construction of facilities for 2023 African Games at Borteyman
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 cut the sod for construction work to begin on sporting facilities for the 13 edition of the African Games scheduled for 2023 in Accra.
He performed the ceremony at Borteyman in Nungua near Accra for the construction of sports facilities to host the 2023 African Games.
The facility will host 24 sporting disciplines for the African Games. It will have multi-purpose sports halls for all indoor sports, 1,000 seater aquatic centre for swimming, 1,000 seater basketball and tennis courts.
Nana Akufo Addo in his speech at the ceremony said it is historic as Ghana was at the first Games in Brazzaville in Congo in 1965, and now prepares to host for the first time in 2023, which is a landmark.
He recalled how Ghana won the bid in 2018 and how efforts in preparations have been made by the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Cabinet and Parliament.
He said the $145million facilities project would be turned into a University of Sports Development to turn out more sports people, and also used for future tournaments.
He encouraged all Ghanaians to unite and support the national project.
Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif said due to time constrains and covid 19 interference, the LOC has decided a hybrid system to fix and renovate the University of Ghana, Legon Sports Complex and build other complementary facilities at Borteyman.
He hinted that 24 sports disciplines would be contested by 5,000 athletes from 55 countries.
Present were Nii Afote Agbo who performed the welcome address, the chairman Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare and members of the LOC, MPs, sports federation heads, the GOC President, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, 2020 Tokyo Bronze Medalist Samuel Takyi, former national athletes, Azumah Nelson, Stephen Appiah, Ohene Karikari, Mike Ahey, Grace Obuor and others as well as the media.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
