By Isaac Tetteh
Ghana is making significant strides to position itself as a leader in inclusive sports, with recent high-level discussions emphasizing infrastructure development and international collaboration.
The meeting between Mr. Samson Deen, President of the African Paralympic Committee and Ghana Paralympic Committee, and the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Mr. Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, focused on strengthening Ghana’s capacity to host major para sports events and improve facilities for athletes with disabilities.
This renewed focus on infrastructure is seen as a vital step toward ensuring that Ghana can host high-profile international para sports competitions confidently. The upcoming events, including the AfPC Elective Congress and the inaugural Open Para Sports and Classification Festival scheduled for November 2025, are part of a broader plan to showcase Ghana’s commitment to inclusive sports and attract global attention.
“This is a national priority. We’re committed to seeing para sports thrive and will provide the facilities and manpower needed to ensure success,” said Yaw Ampofo Ankrah (NSA Director General). The emphasis on upgrading sports venues underscores this strategic push.
International support is playing a crucial role in Ghana’s efforts. Delegations from countries like Spain have already been engaged, signaling a growing global interest in Ghana’s inclusive sports initiatives.
The upcoming classification festival aims to provide athletes with essential international classification, a key requirement for participation in Paralympic competitions worldwide. These developments are seen as a means to elevate Ghana’s status as a hub for para sports excellence in Africa.
“Africa’s para athletes are talented but structurally underserved. With Ghana taking the lead in hosting a continental classification festival, we’re not just creating opportunities, we’re correcting historic inequalities,” Samson Deen stated.
Beyond infrastructure, the focus is on systemic change within Ghana’s sports landscape. Mr. Deen highlighted the importance of moving away from personality-driven programs to a sustainable system that promotes fairness, development, and community empowerment
“This movement is no longer about individuals. It’s about systems that work, structures that uplift everyone”; Samson Deen mentioned.
The strong partnership between the NSA and the African Paralympic Committee marks a pivotal moment in Ghana’s sports diplomacy. With the NSA’s commitment to providing facilities and technical support, Ghana is positioning itself not only as a host for major para sports events but also as a catalyst for regional development of inclusive sports infrastructure and programs across Africa.
