The participating institutions are the University of Ghana (UG), University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Education, Winneba (UEW), University of Development Studies (UDS), University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), University of Mines and Technology (UMAT), and the Simon Diedon Dombo University for Business & Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS).

The rest are the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Akenten Appiah Menkah University of Skills Training & Entrepreneurial Development (AAMU-STED), and CK Tedam University and Technology & Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS).

Twelve sporting disciplines would be honoured at the ‘2022 GUSA Games’ namely; volleyball, football, athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, goalball, handball, netball, hockey, table tennis, and tennis.

An estimated number of 4,000 individuals, including sportsmen and sportswomen, and officials are expected to be present at the Games.

“Harnessing sporting talents of students for national development through healthy competition using science and technology”, is the theme for this year’s event.

Opening ceremony

As part of the programme line-up, a colourful opening ceremony was held on Monday, November 7, 2022, at the Paa Joe Sports Stadium, KNUST.

A cadet of the KNUST Senior High School graced the occasion with a memorable turnout, where they hoisted the GUSA flag and other institutional flags.

The Council Chairman of the KNUST, Ambassador Nana Effah Appenteng, together with the Vice Chancellor, Dr Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, inspected the parade.

Harnessing talents

In a speech read on behalf of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who doubles as the Chancellor of the KNUST, urged the participants to see sports not for making merry but more importantly creating employment opportunities for themselves.

He said the games were timely as they would help harness more talents ahead of the All African Games scheduled to be hosted next year in Ghana.

Otumfuo seized the opportunity to advise the contestants to be measured during the competition in order to reduce casualties.

He again called on the organizers, to ensure that the various sporting disciplines were free and fair by all standards.

Host

On her part, Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, the Vice Chancellor of the KNUST, entreated all the participatory universities to give off their best and make their schools and themselves proud.

She commended the local organizing committee, led by the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo for making the necessary arrangements for the successful commencement of the Games.

He assured that the KNUST has, more importantly, beefed up its security on campus to ensure that all the participants were safe before, during, and after the games.