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A new protocol agreement was also signed on the sidelines of the AU Heads of States Summit in the Ethiopian capital. This agreement clarified who would be in charge of the organization and management of the games.
The All African Games, one of the most significant sporting events in Africa, have been postponed to 2024.
The games were originally scheduled to take place in Ghana from August 4 to 19, but due to a combination of economic pressures, delays in preparations, and acrimony among key stakeholders, the event has been rescheduled.
The games had faced disruption because of a disagreement between African sporting confederations and the African Union (AU) over marketing rights.
The African Union (AU), the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), and the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC) had been embroiled in a rift over the sole mandate of who is in charge of organizing the games.
The three parties, AU, AASC, and ANOCA, had all claimed to be responsible for the games, which created confusion and delayed the planning process.
The issue was reportedly resolved amicably on Sunday (February 19), at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, following a meeting facilitated by Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
A new protocol agreement was also signed on the sidelines of the AU Heads of States Summit in the Ethiopian capital. This agreement clarified who would be in charge of the organization and management of the games.
"We have now moved beyond the impasse, and it is important that we work together to deliver a successful event for the continent," said Mustapha Berraf, President of ANOCA.
"We are excited to host the African Games in 2024, and we are committed to ensuring that the facilities are ready for the event," added Dr. Ofosu-Asare.
Ghana had been chosen as the host nation, and three cities, Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast, were set to share hosting duties.
However, the country was struggling to prepare the necessary facilities for the event, with the rescheduling providing them more time to complete the facilities.
The construction of the Borteyman Sports Complex, which was earmarked to host swimming, boxing, and indoor sporting events, had fallen behind schedule.
The University of Ghana Stadium was also facing a race against time to be completed, while works on the Athletes’ village had faced complications Works on Athletes' Village had faced complications due to the University of Ghana academic calendar.
The continuous presence of students at the Diaspora Halls making it difficult for refurbishment works to progress at the required pace.
The build-up to the games was further overshadowed by an economic crisis affecting Ghana.
Although inflation dropped for the first time in almost two years in January, down to 53.6 per cent. Some voices had called for the cancellation of the event, citing the cost of hosting it.
Former Ghana President John Mahama had led calls for the cancellation of the event, but Kweku Ofosu Asare, deputy chief operating officer of the Local Organising Committee, claimed that it would cost Ghana just as much not to host the Games as it would to stage them.
Dr. Kwaku further stated that the games would still be called ‘Accra 2023’ as planned initially.
The games were going to be used as the 2024 Olympics qualifiers, and the postponement could have a significant impact on African athletes' preparations for the Olympics.
The effect of the postponement is that Uganda could have fewer athletes qualify for the 2024 games according to Beatrice Ayikoru, the General Secretary of the Uganda Olympics Committee.
The postponement of the games was a significant decision, but the resolution of the dispute between the African sporting confederations and the African Union has brought clarity to the organization and management of the games.
The focus now turns to the preparation of facilities, and Ghana will have to work hard to ensure that they are ready to host the All African Games in 2024.
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