Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem has rejected claims that money for the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championship was not released. The six-day event took place at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra. It faced significant criticism for its organisation.
Many athletes expressed unhappiness with the arrangements. Following this negative feedback, some reports suggested that the government's planned GHS40 million was not given to the Sports Ministry. This funding was meant to support the championship before it began.
Mr. Ampem, who is also the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, spoke on the matter on Asempa FM. He stated that the government always makes sure there are funds set aside for sports events. This suggests that financial issues were not the cause of the organisational problems.
Ghana hosted the competition but did not win any gold medals. The team secured a total of five medals by the end of the tournament. This performance falls short of the expectations for a host nation.
The statement from the Deputy Finance Minister aims to clarify the government's financial commitment. It seeks to separate the funding process from the execution of the event. This denial of funding delays is important for understanding the full picture of the championship's challenges.
Officials within the Ministry of Finance typically ensure that allocated funds are processed according to government procedures. Decisions on when and how funds are disbursed are part of the broader public financial management system in Ghana. Budgetary provisions are a routine aspect of government planning for major national events.
The African Senior Athletics Championship is a key event for the continent's track and field athletes. Its successful organisation relies on timely funding and effective planning by the host nation. The criticism suggests a disconnect between financial readiness and on-ground implementation.
Going forward, attention will likely focus on the Sports Ministry's management of resources. It will also be important to review the planning process for future large-scale sporting events to prevent similar organisational shortcomings. Investors and sporting bodies monitor such events for signs of governmental efficiency and commitment.