An amount of $8.5m will be needed for a successful hosting of the first African Para Games, in Ghana this year.
The amount, according to the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the maiden multi-sport Para Games, Accra 2023, Dr Chris Boadi-Mensah, would go into the provision of disability friendly facilities and other logistics to host over 48 countries in Ghana.
This came to light when the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, inaugurated the LOC for the games and opening of the African Paralympic Committee (AfPC) Secretariat in Accra on Friday.
Ghana is expected to host the historic event on September 3-12.
The LOC membership has Dr Boadi-Mensah as Chairperson, Dr Bello Bella Bitugu, Juliana Addo-Yobo, Reks Brobbey, Henry Tachie-Mensah, Saddick Adams, Gifty Afia Oware Aboagye, Osman Ali, Eric Kissi and Dr Hayat Khattab.
Inaugurating the LOC, Mr Ussif said, he had no doubt over the LOC’s competence to deliver a spectacle, saying that, “This is another milestone for sports development in the country to compliment the government’s agenda for inclusiveness in sports and other aspects of the economy,” he stated.
He also urged the Executive Committee of the AfPC to reap the full benefit of hosting its secretariat for the benefit of the entire continent.
The President of AfPC, Mr Samson Deen, commended the Sports Minister for his efforts towards the construction of the secretariat and the upcoming Games.
“This is a manifestation of a promise made, following my election two years ago, that I would ensure that the African Para Games is held; we are on the right path to do it,” he stated.
The event he said, would be a ‘Stand Alone Multi-Sport Para Event’ for athletes to seek qualification to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
A Logo for the games was also launched.
BY MICHAEL D.ABAYATEYE
