West African Country, Ghana successfully hosted the 13th African Games, welcoming over 5,000 athletes and officials to the country.
According to modernghana.com, the event not only showcases Ghana’s capabilities as a host nation but also presents an opportunity to promote its cultural heritage and tourist attractions on the international stage.
Over 3,000 volunteers from all over helped the organisers to succeed in the quadrennial event attracting 53 African nations to compete in 29 sporting disciplines at 9 different locations at Borteyman, however the main Games Village was at the University of Ghana, Legon, the same place that hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. The Legon Sports Stadium has been refurbished with modern fitting, though it was planned 24 years ago.
The other venues except for Cape Coast for Female Football will all be in the capital like the Trust Sports Emporium which houses the Bukom Boxing Arena and Ga Mashie Hall, The Accra Sports Stadium will certainly be part of the African Games just like the Theodocia Okoh Hockey Stadium, Laboma Beach and Achimota Cricket Oval and Ablekuma
The Olebu road of Ablekuma to Pokuase is part of the sports show that will sell and market Ghana to those who do not know through cycling
Although the first president of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was the one who mooted the idea of a continental multi-sports event to promote friendship, peaceful living and unity, Ghana has never hosted.
The first games came off in 1965 in DR Congo and after other countries tried to host as well as other misunderstandings and manipulations, the sports festival had been on hold and came back.
Alas, it is in Ghana in 2024, after it was postponed from 2023, but the name of the event has to be maintained so that is the reason why it is still called Accra 2023.
Accra is indeed a historic city, just like Cape Coast, the supporting city with one discipline that also with many tourist Attractions
Nightlife in Accra is one of the best on earth, so many people choose Accra for their vacations. December in Accra for instance is a superb adventure.
In Accra, food is not expensive and one can have varieties to choose from at the numerous chop bars and restaurants from the popular jollof rice to waakye, kokonte, fufu,
The people are so friendly, especially the indigenes of Accra who love welcoming and hosting guests and foreigners.
The names of suburbs also rhyme in a way that any visitor would enjoy like Aworshie. Kaneshie, Bubuahie, Okaishie, Lartebiokorshie as well as Korle Gonno, Chorkor, Mamprobi, Dansoma, Abeka, Tesano, Achimota, Nima, Mamobi, Kotobaabi, New Town and others.
We also have Dansoman, Sakaman, Kweiman, Kwashieman, Sampaman, Abbeyman,
Indeed Accra life is so unique and spectacular with the beaches from Ada to Tema to Osu, La and James Town to Kokrobite and Bortianor.
For the bonjour, it is happening for them in East Legon, Trassaco. Cantonments, Labone. Dzorwulu, Haasto, Tema and other places
Tourist sites registered by the United Nations Heritage Monuments in Accra include the Usher Fort, James Fort and most popular of all the Cape Coast Castle. The adventure can take you further to the famous Elmina Castle which is in the Central Region.
In Accra one can visit attraction spots like the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Arts Center, Legon Botanical Gardens, Accra International Conference Center, State House, Independence (Black Star) Square National Theater, Artists Alliance, National Museum Makola Market, James Town Lighthouse, W.E.B. Duboise Center, La Beach, Dansoman Beach, Bojo Beach, pubs at Osu Oxford Street, and East Legon are just too good to leave like Sky Bar 25, Number One Hotel, Alisa Hotel. Lancaster Hotel, Marriott Hotel, Airport View Hotel, Movenpick Hotel, Kempinski Hotel, Zen Garden, Bospherous, Purple Pub and down to Shai Hills if you want to go a bit far from town for extra adventure.
Team Ghana had some feeling of Cape Coast as the athletes; Black Bombers and Black Satellites had the opportunity to visit the famous Castle
Aside from the people, food and weather which is superbly warm just like the hospitality of the people, Accra is also safe. Indeed one of the safest places to live in the world. The security apparatus, Ghana Police ensures the safety and security of the people, especially foreign nationals.
Accra is known to be a sporting city as most boxing champions and footballers as well as other athletes hail from Accra, like Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club founded in 1911, Accra Great Olympics and other new clubs such as Tudu Mighty Jets, Accra Lions and Legon Cities
Accra is the home of Ghana’s world boxing champions, namely David Kotei Poison, Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Alfred Kotey, Joshua Clottey, Richard Commey and Emmanuel Tagoe.
Accra has produced other sports champions in arm wrestling, athletics, basketball, cycling, swimming table tennis, tennis, breaking and other new sports.
The opening ceremony saw top musicians Shatta Wale, Kamo Mphel, Pat Thomas, Ebo Taylor and King Promise welcoming the sportsmen and women to the spectacular show with an excellent performance, while Wiyala, Stonebwoy, InnosB, and Stanley Enow closed the amazing and memorable event with another wonderful display.
The next Games, the 14th edition will take place in Egypt in 2027.
Long live Ghana, and long live the African Games.
