Opposition MP Labels Athletics Championship Organisation A National Embarrassment

Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, has accused the government of organizing the ongoing African Athletics Championship very poorly. He called the situation a national embarrassment. This criticism comes from the Minority Spokesperson on Proper Governance and Accountability. Assafuah expressed his views on Facebook on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. He stated that the government’s management of sports has declined significantly. Reports highlight problems with athlete accommodation. Transportation plans were confusing. Preparations faced delays. Logistical issues also cropped up. Athletes were reportedly treated poorly during the competition. This event was meant to showcase Ghana positively across Africa. Instead, Assafuah believes it exposed weaknesses. These included problems with planning and coordination. He wrote that the event became a symbol of poor planning and weak coordination. Governmental neglect was also evident. The MP said these challenges are not isolated. They show a broader failure of leadership. There is a lack of seriousness in managing sports under this government, he stated. Mr. Assafuah is also the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee. He argued that concerns were raised long before the championship began. Officials within the athletics world warned about inadequate preparation. They expressed worries about delays in government support. However, authorities did not act quickly enough. Mr. Assafuah stressed that this situation damages Ghana’s international reputation. It also harms the morale of the athletes competing. He insisted that sports are an important tool for national development. Hosting a continental competition should not lead to national shame. It negatively affects Ghana’s image globally. It sends the wrong message to the international sports community. This indicates Ghana’s unreadiness to host major events. Mr. Assafuah maintained that Ghanaian athletes deserve better support and leadership. He views sports as a vital vehicle. It promotes national pride. It aids youth development. It creates economic opportunities. It contributes to international diplomacy. This incident raises questions about how Ghana manages large-scale international events. It also puts a spotlight on the allocation of resources for sporting infrastructure and athlete welfare. The specific costs of the championship have not been fully detailed. However, events of this scale often require significant government investment for venues, logistics, and athlete support.