Ghana is taking decisive steps to ensure a flawless hosting of the 2026 African Athletics Championships, committing to the acquisition of state-of-the-art electronic timing systems as Accra prepares for the continental showpiece. The move, announced at the official launch of the event, underscores the country’s determination to meet international standards as it hosts the championships for the first time in its history.
President of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Bawa Fuseini, explained that the decision was driven by the need to guarantee accuracy, transparency and reliability throughout the competition. He noted that recent technical failures at major meets in other African countries including issues with scoreboards, timing devices and photo-finish systems had highlighted the importance of robust technical infrastructure.
Scheduled for May 12–17, 2026, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, the championships are expected to attract elite athletes and national teams from across the continent. Organisers say the new timing systems will form part of a comprehensive upgrade of the event’s technical operations. This includes backup power supplies, certified photo-finish cameras, electronic transponder chips for long-distance races and improved data transmission systems to ensure accurate live results and seamless broadcast coverage.
Fuseini emphasized that the investment goes beyond equipment procurement. Technical officials and timekeepers will undergo specialised training to ensure the systems are operated at the highest professional level. According to him, possessing world-class hardware alone is insufficient without equally skilled personnel to manage it. The GAA is therefore collaborating with internationally accredited suppliers and technicians to deliver a championship that is both credible and dispute-free.
Procurement processes are expected to be completed in the coming weeks, after which a series of test events will be staged at the venue to calibrate the equipment and address any operational challenges. Local organisers are also working closely with the Ghana Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and broadcast partners to ensure that accreditation, security and transmission arrangements meet continental expectations.
Hosting the African Championships presents Ghana with a significant opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure and organisational capacity on the international stage. Officials believe the benefits will extend far beyond the event itself. The new timing systems and trained workforce are expected to strengthen domestic athletics competitions, enhance talent identification programmes and support preparations for future global events, including the 2028 Olympic cycle.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by athletes and sports administrators across Africa. Many emphasise that precise timing and reliable results are essential not only for determining winners but also for meeting qualification standards, setting national records and securing athlete sponsorships and funding. As one coach noted, accurate results are fundamental to protecting athletes’ careers and reputations.
In addition to technical upgrades, organisers have outlined plans to enhance the overall championship experience. Proposed measures include improved warm-up facilities, expanded medical services, anti-doping control stations and a larger media centre to accommodate international journalists. Details on ticket sales and a nationwide volunteer recruitment campaign are expected to be released soon.
