Parliament approves budget allocation for Ministry of Youth and Sports

Parliament has approved GH¢195,795,973 as the budget of the Ministry of Youth and Sports for 2024, part of which will be channelled into the organisation of the 13th African Games in the country between March 8 and 23, 2024.

In moving the motion for the approval of the budget , the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, expressed that the country was providing the biggest aqua centre in Africa with a 10-lane competition pool and an eight-lane warm-up pool.

Currently under construction for the continental competition is a 1,000-seat multi-purpose hall for indoor games as well as five tennis courts with a 1,000-seat capacity.

The Sports Minister explained the University of Ghana Stadium, which was started in 2007, had been reconfigured and was at the final stage of completion to host some of the events, including athletics. He announced that six out of 10 stadiums being constructed to serve as youth centres were ready, with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo scheduled to inaugurate the Koforidua Stadium on December 28, 2023.

The African Games will involve 30 sporting disciplines, eight of which are Olympic qualifying events and others as demonstration sports to help boost the local economy.

Story by: George Opoku Boateng. gopokuboateng@gmail.com. Ahotor Fm . X – Prekese GH