Ghana is for the first time hosting the 13th edition of the African Games which commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra.
The event which will end on March 23rd gathered almost 3,000 athletes from 49 countries, heralding 16 days of competition across 29 sporting disciplines. The games were officially declared open on Friday by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
At the ceremony, which took place in front of 10,000 spectators at the newly opened University of Ghana Stadium, a procession of celebrities, entertainers, athletes, and sportswomen from 48 African nations was showcased.
In his remark, president Akufo-Addo urged the citizens of Ghana to take advantage of the 13th African Games for the benefit of generations.
He noted that the continent is blessed with a rich diversity which spurs the need to appreciate the unique contributions of participating countries with different cultures, traditions, and identities.
He described the role that sports had in uniting the continent as heartwarming.
“Remember that you inspire numerous people throughout the continent with your efforts as you compete in the games in the upcoming days. Aim for greatness, test your boundaries, and highlight the enormous talent that exists in Africa”, he advised.
President Akufo-Addo asked the participating nations to uphold the principles of fair play and impartial respect during the competition and to compete with honesty and sportsmanship.
He called on key players in the sports ecosystem to rally behind Ghana in making the Games a memorable one. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your dedication and determination in reaching this prestigious Games,” he said.
Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif assured the rest of Africa that the country will deliver a competition that would be hard to forget.
“Today, thanks to the 13th African Games, courtesy of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ghana can boast of the finest multi-sporting discipline facilities in the sub-region,” he stated.
He further noted that “Ghana and the wider sub-region will continue to benefit from these facilities for competition and training needs. This is a unique opportunity for Ghana and we are privileged and ready to deliver unforgettable games for Africa and the rest of the world.”
Following the talks, a 40-minute musical included appearances by well-known African singers including King Promise, Kamo Mphela, and Shatta Wale. A dance performance showcasing the customs and cultures of all 16 regions of Ghana was combined with an amazing light and fireworks display.
Participating nations in the procession included Morocco, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon and Gambia.
The rest were Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sudan and host Ghana.