The Local Organising Committee for the 13th African Games – Accra 2023, paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Minister of Health Hon. Mahama Asei Seini on Thursday, February 3, 2022.
The meeting, which took place at the office of the Deputy Minister in Accra, was in line with the LOC’s stakeholder engagement strategy which is aimed at exploring all possible collaborations toward delivering a prestigious African Games event in August 2023.
During the discussions, the Executive Chairman of the LOC Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare briefed the Deputy Minister on the mandate of the LOC to organize and host a successful African Games in August 2023.
Considering the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare informed the Deputy Minister for Health about the number of officials, athletes, and fans Ghana is expecting in the country before, during, and after the event.
Additionally, the LOC told the Deputy Minister that there was a need to work hand in hand with the Ministry to create feasible Health Guidelines and Protocols to be used before and during the Games for the safety of all organizers and participants.
The committee also apprised the board of the Ministry of its intentions to have the Games Village on the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon, hence it will be imperative to have medical structures such as Infectious Disease Centers, Medical domes, Isolation centers, Medical satellites, and Port Health centers.
Dr. Baffour Awuah, the special advisor to the Minister of Health on Human Resources, suggested that the LOC submits a catalog on its plans and requests to the Ministry for immediate action.
On his part, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the LOC – Mr. Reks Brobbey, briefed the Deputy Minister about the LOC’s plan to visit all 16 regions and organise national games in an effort to unearth the best of talents to constitute Team Ghana for the games.
Mr. Brobbey further discussed areas of collaboration between the Ministry and the LOC and how the campaign could be mutually beneficial for both organisations.
Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Dwumfour Williams informed the Deputy Minister that the LOC would communicate with the Ministry via its Medical and Anti-doping Sub-Committee.