I am honored to join you today at this Technical Committee for the African Games and Local Organizing Committee, Accra 2023 physical meeting. I convey the greetings from His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

I would like also to express the deep appreciation of the TCAG and I to the people and the Government of the Republic of Ghana for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to us and the huge investment in the facilities for the games.  We are very happy to be here, the host country of the 13th Edition of the African Games 2023.

For the past few days, myself, TCAG Members and LOC Accra 2023 had an opportunity to inspect the games facilities which are under construction and those which are under renovations. We are satisfied with the work on the ground and call on all key partners involved in the process to double their efforts to ensure that the facilities are ready and handed over to the LOC Accra 2023 in December 2023 as promised.

While we are acknowledging the challenges that have delayed the games, it’s time to be more proactive, visionary, examine the work ahead of us, chart realistic   strategies and implement them.  I call my Committee members and the LOC 2023 to focus on the games deliverables. Meetings should be for decision makings while ground works should be done at the secretarial level. Consultation between TCAG Members and LOC counterparts should be done more frequently so that at the end of the day both parties are on the same page in the preparations for the Games.  As you are all aware we are in the last phase of the preparation for the games,

Games Governing instruments, signed agreements including timelines should be like the holy books, we need to abide by them to avoid unnecessary loggerheads.

The outcome of the previous days inspection visit will provide, clear, actionable recommendations to all parties concerned on how to fully capitalize on the resources available in the organization of the games.

For the media partners present here, I wish to request that, you promote the Games extensively. The media’s role in promoting the organization of the African Games cannot be over emphasized.

With these few remarks once again, Honorable Minister, TCAG Members, LOC Accra 2023 and the media, working together we shall overcome the challenges in the preparations for the 13th Edition of the African Games. Together, we can deliver a successful 13th Edition of the African Games in March 2024.

Wishing us a fruitful deliberation.

I thank you.