Samson Deen addressing the media after the tour. INSET: One of the halls for the Games
President of the African Paralympic Committee (AfPC), Samson Deen says plans are far advanced for a successful hosting of the maiden African Paralympic Games in September (Accra 2023).
However, he told the media after inspecting the various venues that, the facilities need urgent attention for the successful hosting of the event.
He mentioned that plans were in place to  refurbish some of the facilities as soon as possible, to make it disability friendly for the Games.
He said, “We would be using the Accra Stadium, Legon Stadium, Trust Sports Emporium as well as the Eden Heights Sports facilities for the seven disciplines earmarked for the Games.”
He pointed out that wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis would be played at the Eden Heights courts, which was ready and certified by the International Federation for the Games.
The AfPC noted that other disciplines, including goalball and amputee soccer would be played at the Accra Stadium, while the Legon facility would host para athletics, with the Sports Emporium having sitting volley and para powerlifting.
“It is important to assess the facilities to indicate Ghana’s readiness to host the first ever Para Games and we are certain to organise a successful event.
“There would be top notch transportation system for the competition to ensure that participants are safely transported from one end to the other.
“All we need is the government and corporate Ghana to come on board to support us organise a decent and memorable Para Games,” Deen stated.
The chairman for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Para Games, Chris Boadi-Mensah, reiterated that they were ready to host the rest of Africa saying, “We would put in place all necessary measures to ensure that participants are safe to enjoy the Games within the period.”
The facility tour was led by Ignatius Elletey, Para LOC member.
The Para LOC inspected the Accra Stadium pitch and Hathlamani Hall, and later moved to the Trust Sports Emporium (Bukom) to inspect the boxing arena, the physiotherapy centre and gymnasium.
Later on the same day, the team inspected the courts at Eden Heights and ended up at the Legon Stadium.
The Managing Director at the Emporium, Madam Shirley Acquah-Harrison and Sales Executive at Eden Heights, Cyril Gadogbe, both assured the team of the facilities availability to host the Games.
It emerged after the tour that the facilities were about 80 per cent ready for the Games, with guarantees that they would be completed within a couple of months.
Ghana would host the African Para Games from September 3 to 12, with over 40 countries expected to participate in the event.
An estimated amount of $8.5m has been earmarked by the LOC to host a successful event.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum