Ghana has officially withdrawn from hosting the 2026 African Swimming Championships, the Ghana Swimming Association (GSA) has announced.
In a statement dated March 26, 2026, the Association said the decision was taken with “profound regret” after a series of unresolved challenges that undermined preparations for the competition, which was scheduled to take place in Accra from May 5 to 10, 2026.
According to the GSA, Ghana was awarded the hosting rights during the African Swimming Championships held in Cairo in April 2025, with the decision later confirmed by the African Aquatics Bureau. However, the Association indicated that efforts to secure the necessary support from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation did not yield results.
The statement revealed that although the Association formally notified the Ministry in November 2025 and sought approval to proceed, no official response had been received.
The GSA further attributed the withdrawal to ongoing governance disputes within the Association, which it said were exacerbated by external interference. It cited the disruption of its elective congress in October 2025 by national security personnel, despite the absence of any court injunction.
Additionally, the Association raised concerns over actions taken by the National Sports Authority (NSA), including a reported withdrawal of recognition of the GSA communicated to World Aquatics. It said these actions negatively affected the administration and development of swimming in the country.
Efforts to resolve the impasse through a tripartite meeting involving the GSA, NSA, and other stakeholders led to the formation of an electoral committee. However, disagreements over electoral guidelines further stalled progress.
The Association noted that the failure to inaugurate a Local Organising Committee (LOC), despite multiple engagements with the Ministry and the NSA, significantly hampered preparations, with less than six weeks to the event.
The situation worsened when the NSA reportedly advised that the championships could not proceed until internal electoral issues within the Association were resolved.
The GSA expressed concern that the decision came at a late stage, with more than 40 countries already confirming participation and many having made travel arrangements.
It warned that the withdrawal could have serious consequences for Ghana, including a potential fine of not less than 100,000 dollars and the risk of being barred from future international swimming competitions.
The Association also noted that the decision could affect Ghana’s reputation as a host of international sporting events and undermine investments made in facilities such as the Borteyman Aquatic Centre.
Despite the setback, the GSA reaffirmed its commitment to resolving internal challenges and working with stakeholders to restore confidence in the sport.
The Association described the withdrawal as a last resort after exhausting all efforts to secure the institutional support needed to successfully host the championships.
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Story by Erica Odeenyin Odoom | univers.ug.edu.gh
