Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Prof. Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare
The Management of University of Ghana has organised a meeting to update the University community on the University’s intension to host the 13th African Games dubbed Accra 2023 Games scheduled for August/September 2023.
Prof. Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), in his opening remarks, said the Games presented the University of Ghana with the unique opportunity to project and showcase the University of Ghana, the competence of personnel and officials, the competitiveness of athletes and the conduciveness of the University environment to the world.
“The games will give us the platform to project the beauty of our campus, the competence of our personnel and officials, the competitiveness of our facilities for the Games. UG will benefit from a legacy of excellent infrastructure. This enormous investment in infrastructure will remain with us after the Games. I ask for the cooperation and support of all as we journey through the construction inconveniences though I am hopeful it will be within a short period”, said Prof. Awandare
Earlier in his welcome address, the College Secretary of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS), Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, who represented the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, extended appreciation to all participants present at the information-sharing session. Mr. Baidoo disclosed that Ghana will host the 13th Africa Games in August - September 2023. The meeting had, therefore, been called to brief the University about the Games in general, as well as the extent of work to be done on the selected facilities to be used for the Games. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports, through the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Games, has contacted University Management for permission to use some facilities of the University to host the Games and the University has given approval to the request” he revealed.
Mr. Baidoo stated that the University has put together a three Member Committee chaired by the Registrar with the Directors of Sports and Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorates (PDMSD) as members. The Committee was working with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the LOC for the smooth implementation of the Games. Mr. Baidoo apologised for any inconveniences that might emanate from ongoing construction works in preparation towards the games.
In a presentation captioned: ‘Africa Games – History, Management and Operations’ the Director of Sports Directorate, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, disclosed that the African Games will promote harmony and synergy of actions within the African Sport Movement.
Director of Sports Directorate, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu
Dr. Bitugu also revealed that the African Games is going to be a Hybrid Model since some projects and games will be undertaken at the University of Ghana Campus and its Borteyman site. He revealed that the University of Ghana has the 11,000 capacity UG stadium for athletics and football, warm-up athletics track, Rugby Field among others, while the Borteyman Development has a one-thousand-seater 8-Lane Swimming Pool,one-thousand-seater Multi-Purpose Sports Hall for Basketball, Badminton, Boxing, Table Tennis and Weightlifting, six-kilometre single-lane road, three-kilometer double-lane road and many more. In addition, selected halls of residence will be upgraded to accommodate the athletes.
Mr. Charles Kofinti, Director of Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD), in his presentation on construction works and security stated that there were renovation works which would involve refurbishment of rooms in selected hostels. He also added that there will be the construction of demountable domes which will serve the purposes of a kitchen, canteen and a medical center.
Director of Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD), Mr. Charles Kofinti
Regarding security systems, Mr. Kofiniti stated that high-level security was to be expected with perimeter fencing, electronic access gates and CCTV Equipment. On traffic control, Mr. Kofinti said “South Legon First Gate is to be the Main Access to the Games Village with additional access from the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) area. The Okponglo Entrance Gate will be restricted to the accredited VIPs to minimize disruption in the normal flow of traffic onto the University Campus. For the two-week period of the games, it is expected that there may be occasional diversions and warning signs to smoothen the flow of traffic.” He, however, noted that traffic flow would not interfere with the normal activities within the University.
The interactive segment saw a vibrant question and answer session as well as contributions from participants and students.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Awandare reiterated appreciation to all present and stated that Management of the University was humbled and privileged to be given the opportunity to host the competition.He added that professional structures would be put in place to ensure that facilities were well maintained and sustained after the Games.
Present at this meeting were Provosts, Directors, Hall Masters, Senior Tutors, staff, and student representatives.
A cross-section of the participants
Click here for some photos from the event
