Accra 2026: African Athletics Championships Rocked by Claims of Poor Organization and Food Rationing
The 2026 African Seniors Athletics Championships in Accra are underway, seeing Ghanaian runner Alex Amankwah qualify for the 800m final while other sprinters prepare for 100m semi-finals. However, the event faces significant criticism from MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah over organizational failures, although National Sports Authority officials are addressing concerns like alleged food shortages.
The 2026 African Seniors Athletics Championships officially began on Tuesday, May 12, at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra, Ghana. Following an opening ceremony held the night prior, the event sees over 40 countries competing for honours and is scheduled to conclude on May 19, 2026.
Ghanaian athletes have already started to make their mark. Middle-distance runner Alex Amankwah achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first athlete from the host nation to qualify for a final at these championships, securing a spot in the men's 800m event. Amankwah, who is based in the US, advanced to the final as one of the fastest losers after finishing third in his heat, where only the top two received automatic qualification. The highly anticipated final of the men's 800m is slated for Wednesday, May 13, at 4:15 pm.
In other track events, a trio of Ghanaian sprinters — Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, Edwin Gadayi, and Joseph Paul Amoah — are set to compete in the semi-finals of the men's 100m event. These semi-finals are scheduled for the evening session of Wednesday’s program, with the athletes vying for a place in the final. Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, the country's record-holder in the sprint, will race in Heat 2 from lane 4, alongside his countryman Edwin Gadayi in lane 5. Their heat includes international competitors such as Makarawu Tapiwanashe of Zimbabwe, Yassine Hssine from Morocco, Nigeria's Favour Ashe, Mandoze Jayson of Botswana, and Stali Kakene from Zambia. Joseph Paul Amoah will compete in Heat 3, facing athletes like Chidera Ezeakor from Nigeria, Bradley Nkoaka of South Africa, Tshuma Methembe from Zimbabwe, Lobatlamang Kevin of Botswana, Kossi Medard Nayo from Mauritius, and Mamdou Fall Sarr of Senegal. The qualification criteria state that the top two athletes from each of the three heats, along with two of the fastest losers, will advance to the final.
Despite the athletic achievements, the organization of the championships has faced considerable criticism. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo and the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, strongly condemned the government's handling of the event. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 13, Mr. Assafuah labeled the situation