Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has hinted at Ghana’s potential bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
He revealed that discussions have taken place with the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) regarding the possibility of Ghana stepping in as the host country.
With four previous candidates withdrawing due to cost constraints, the 2026 Commonwealth Games currently lacks a host city. Last year, Australia withdrew its bid, while Malaysia and Singapore also declined the opportunity.
The Executive Board of the Commonwealth Games Federation recently stated that they are considering various proposals, with a host expected to be announced in May.
Ghana’s Youth and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has revealed that the country is well positioned to consider hosting the Commonwealth Games slated for 2026.#StarrFM #StarrNews pic.twitter.com/kWPbjfCZ8q
— Starr 103.5 FM (@starr1035fm) April 9, 2024
Drawing on Ghana’s successful hosting of the 2023 African Games, Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif expressed confidence in Ghana’s ability to fill the void left by the withdrawn cities.
He highlighted that the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation has visited Ghana and inspected the country’s facilities, indicating a strong interest in an African host nation.
Ussif emphasized the potential advantages of hosting the Commonwealth Games, noting that it may not incur the same level of costs as organizing the African Games. Additionally, funding from the Commonwealth Games Secretariat could be available to support Ghana’s hosting efforts.
Ghana previously hosted the 13th African Games in March 2024, showcasing its capability to organize major sporting events. The Commonwealth Games is slated for March 17 to March 29, 2026.
