Reports from inside Jubilee House suggest that one minister who narrowly escaped the 14th February reshuffle was the Minister of Sports, Mustapha Ussif.
Close advisors of President Nana Akufo-Addo suggested that the embattled Minister and the Ministry be allowed to focus fully on the 13th African Games, which Ghana is hosting, showcasing the country’s commitment to hosting a world-class tournament with all preparations completed.
President Akufo-Addo agreed, especially since a week ahead of the reshuffle, he had officially commissioned the Borteyman Sports Complex, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s preparations for the games.
During the commissioning, the Sports Minister appeared jittery and somber around the President, leading to suggestions that he should be sacked after the abysmal performance of the Black Stars at the just-ended African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Minister supervised the spending of more than US$3 million on the Stars’ doomed campaign that lasted less than two weeks, with local camping in Kumasi and flights to Ivory Coast borne by CAF.
The Yagaba Kubore lawmaker was seen following the President around without focus during the commissioning of the Borteyman Sports Complex, which has state-of-the-art facilities and will host seven competitive sports: table tennis, handball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, badminton, and the triathlon.
Notably, four of these disciplines – table tennis, tennis, triathlon, and badminton – will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, adding an extra layer of excitement and importance to the event.
The complex boasts a 1,000-seater capacity aquatic center featuring a 10-lane competition swimming pool alongside a 10-lane warm-up pool, as well as a 1,000-seater multi-purpose sports hall ready to host a myriad of events.
Additionally, a temporary dome accommodating 500 spectators adds further flexibility to the venue. Tennis enthusiasts will be thrilled by the five-court complex, which includes a prestigious 1,000-seater Centre Court.
Moreover, the Borteyman Sports Complex features a six-lane warm-up athletics track and a FIFA-standard football training field, ensuring athletes have access to top-notch training and competition venues.