Ghana seeks stronger UK partnership ahead of 2026 Commonwealth Games

Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has called for enhanced collaboration with the United Kingdom to maximise opportunities presented by the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Speaking at the 2026 Commonwealth Games Business Forum hosted by the British High Commission last Thursday, the minister urged both nations to use the global sporting event as a platform for building lasting partnerships in infrastructure development, facility management, sports science, tourism and youth development.

Mr Adams cited the Borteyman Sports Complex as a notable example of what strategic cooperation can achieve in infrastructure. However, he acknowledged that Ghana continues to face challenges in the effective management of sports facilities.

“We want to have much deeper exchanges that will build the capacity of local personnel to take full advantage of whichever facility we develop,” he said, calling for enhanced cooperation to promote knowledge transfer in facility management.

On Ghana’s participation in the Games, the minister emphasised the need for greater investment in athletes, describing them as ambassadors who project the country’s image globally and open doors beyond traditional diplomacy. He urged all sporting federations yet to begin training programmes to do so without delay, stressing that early preparation is key to success.

UK expertise on offer

Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, Keith McMahon, noted that 2026 offers a unique opportunity as major global sporting events continue to attract widespread attention. He highlighted infrastructure, marketing, youth development and sports technology as key areas for collaboration between Ghana and the UK.

Mr McMahon described the Commonwealth Games as a symbol of shared values, pointing to Ghana’s consistent competitiveness in boxing, athletics and para sports over recent decades. He reaffirmed the UK’s readiness to share expertise gained from hosting the Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022 Games to help accelerate Ghana’s development of sports infrastructure and training systems.

Economic potential of sport

John Apea, Head of Mission at the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), underscored sport’s economic potential, calling it a powerful driver of prosperity and development.

He revealed that the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is projected to attract approximately £150 million in direct external investment to the host city. He also referenced the economic success of Birmingham 2022, which contributed £1.2 billion to the UK economy and generated over 834 million global views, demonstrating the immense business opportunities associated with such events.