Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-03-25 08:11:11
The 13th African Games, Accra 2023 came to a close at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium with a message from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urging stakeholders to utilize the sports platform to create a prosperous Ghana for all. The President emphasized the importance of harnessing the power of sports to build a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous nation for future generations.
This edition of the African Games marked Ghana’s most successful participation since its inception in 1965, exceeding the previous record of 27 medals achieved during the 1973 Games in Lagos, Nigeria. Ghana secured a total of 68 medals, including 19 gold, 29 silver, and 20 bronze medals across nine disciplines. Notable achievements included arm wrestling with 41 medals, boxing with seven medals, athletics with six medals, and football with two gold medals.
Athletics, in particular, garnered significant attention and success during the Games. Ghana hosted the highest number of disciplines in the history of the Games, finishing sixth out of 53 participating nations and demonstrating a vast improvement from the 2019 Rabat edition where the team returned with 13 medals. The Accra 2023 Games hosted three more disciplines than the Rabat event and provided a platform for elite athletes and coaches from 54 African countries to compete in 29 multi-sports disciplines.
The President emphasized the importance of reaffirming the commitment of stakeholders to promoting sports as a tool for national development and unity. The Games also left Ghana with state-of-the-art sports facilities, making the country an attractive destination for international sports activities. President Akufo-Addo urged sports federations to utilize these facilities to develop their disciplines and further enhance Ghana’s standing in the sports world.
The closing ceremony of the Games featured musical performances from Ghanaian artists such as Wiyaala and Stonebwoy, Cameroonian rapper Stanley Enow, and Congolese musician Innoss B. The event was attended by high-profile sports personalities from across Africa, including the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Mustapha Ussif, African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki, and other dignitaries.
Overall, the 13th African Games, Accra 2023 showcased Ghana’s sporting prowess and provided a platform for athletes to excel on the continental stage. The country’s success in the Games serves as a testament to the potential of sports in driving national development and unity, as emphasized by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his closing remarks.
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