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Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), President Ben Nunoo Mensah, painted an inspiring picture of the country's sporting progress.
Reflecting on a year of remarkable achievements, he outlined Ghana’s sixth-place finish at the 13th African Games, the OlympAfrica Project in Amasaman, and support for national federations and athletes as part of the GOC’s commitment to nurturing talent and driving Ghana to greater heights in international sports.
In his report at the GOC’s Annual General Assembly held at the Theodosia Okoh Jockey Stadium in Accra last Saturday, Mr Nunoo Mensah catalogued milestones achieved in 2024 and unveiled ambitious plans for the future.
The congress drew key figures from the sports world, including members of the GOC, the Commonwealth Games Association-Ghana, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, and the National Sports Authority.
It provided an opportunity for the committee to reflect on its progress and outline plans for the coming year.
In his keynote report, the GOC President took a reflective look at the committee's milestones and challenges of the past year.
The highlight of the report was Ghana’s successful hosting of the 13th African Games, where the country proudly finished sixth on the medal table with an impressive 69 medals—comprising 19 gold, 29 silver and 21 bronze from nine sports disciplines.
"The African Games were a monumental achievement for Ghana," he declared, underscoring the nation's rising prominence on the continental sports scene."
"We provided financial support to the national sports federations, with a contribution of $30,000 to assist their efforts at the African Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and ANOCA also recognised our efforts, with ANOCA presenting a cheque for $200,000 to support the event’s organisation."
The GOC’s commitment to supporting athletes and federations continued throughout the year. A total of $22,572 in grants was awarded to Football and Volleyball teams, while $72,000 was distributed across various sports federations, including Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Swimming, Skeleton and Weightlifting. This investment is vital in enabling athletes to reach their full potential on the international stage.
"This support is not just about money; it’s about giving our athletes the tools they need to succeed. Every dollar invested brings us closer to our goal of international sporting excellence," Mr Nunoo Mensah added.
The OlympAfrica Project, a key initiative aimed at enhancing sporting infrastructure, has also made significant strides. Located in Amasaman, the project is set to create a Basketball/Volleyball Court, a Tennis Court, a Football Field, and a Multi-purpose Sports Hall.
The total project is valued at $160,799.47, with $79,161 already spent to complete the first phase.
"The OlympAfrica Project will be a game-changer for sports in Ghana," Mr Nunoo Mensah said, adding, "It is an investment in the future of our athletes, giving them access to top-quality facilities and resources."
The GOC’s plans for the upcoming year are as ambitious as ever, with a focus on strengthening partnerships, enhancing athlete development, and improving sports infrastructure.
"Our primary goal is to build lasting partnerships with international organisations, governments and corporate partners. This will enable us to secure the necessary resources and support for our athletes," Mr Nunoo Mensah outlined.
In line with this, the GOC is prioritising athlete development through specialised training programmes, coaching clinics and competitions, aiming to cultivate world-class talent.
Furthermore, infrastructure development remains a top priority, ensuring that Ghanaian athletes have access to the best possible training facilities.
"Together, we can continue to advance the Olympic spirit in Ghana and develop the sports infrastructure needed to support our athletes," Mr Nunoo Mensah concluded, expressing his deep gratitude to all those who have contributed to the country’s sporting successes.
