The ongoing concerns surrounding the organisation of the African Athletics Championship are yet another painful reminder of the growing decline in sports administration under the current NDC government.
What should have been an opportunity to project Ghana positively before the rest of Africa has instead become a symbol of poor planning, weak coordination, and governmental neglect.
Reports of accommodation difficulties, transportation confusion, delayed preparations, logistical setbacks, and poor treatment of athletes have dominated conversations around the competition.
These are not isolated incidents. They point to a broader failure of leadership and the absence of seriousness in the management of sports under this government.
What is even more worrying is that warnings were issued long before the competition began. Officials within the athletics fraternity openly expressed concerns about inadequate preparation and delays in support from the government. Yet, the authorities failed to act with the urgency required for an event of this magnitude.
I find it deeply disappointing that despite all the promises made by the government about resetting Ghana, the sports sector continues to suffer from incompetence, neglect, and poor prioritisation.
Ghanaian athletes continue to carry the burden of administrative failures while sacrificing daily to bring glory to the country.
This situation is unacceptable. Hosting a continental competition should not become a national embarrassment. It damages Ghana’s reputation, affects athlete morale, and sends the wrong signal to the international sporting community about our preparedness to host major events.
The government can not continue to hide behind excuses while the standards of sports administration keep deteriorating. If proper planning, stakeholder engagement, and timely financial support had been provided, these avoidable setbacks would not have occurred.
Sports is not merely entertainment; it is a tool for national pride, youth development, economic opportunity, and international diplomacy. Unfortunately, the current administration appears more interested in public relations than delivering competent leadership for the sector.
Our athletes deserve better. Ghana deserves better. Africa deserves better.
Vincent Ekow Assafuah
Member Of Parliament, Old Tafo MP
