GOC REPORT: OLYMPAFRICA PROJECT (AMASAMAN)
Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) report on the Olympafrica project at Amasaman. The Olympafrica Project at Amasaman represents a monumental step in the development of sports infrastructure in Ghana. The project has been propelled by the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), and the Olympafrica Foundation. After the full acquisition of the 16.5-acre land at Amasaman, significant efforts were made to restart and expedite the project’s development.
In November 2022, the IOC, ANOCA, and the Olympafrica Foundation reaffirmed their commitment to the project. This revitalization effort followed a working visit by Mr. Alassane Thierno Diack, the CEO of the Olympafrica Foundation, to Ghana in the middle of 2022. During this visit, Mr. Diack and the GOC agreed on a clear plan of action for the project’s phased development.
The project is divided into two key phases. The first phase involves the construction of essential sports facilities, including a Basketball/Volleyball Court, a Tennis Court, and a standard Football Field with surrounding running tracks. The second phase will focus on the construction of a Multi-Purpose Sports Hall, designed to host a variety of events and activities. Following the visit of Mr. Diack, the Olympafrica Foundation transferred $100,000 to the GOC to fund the restart of the project.
To bring the vision to life, the GOC engaged Spaysis Limited, an architectural firm that developed the drawings and estimated costs for the project. The finalized total cost for both phases was estimated at $160,799.47. The initial funding of $100,000 from the Olympafrica Foundation provided the necessary resources to begin phase one of the project.
PROJECT PROGRESS
As of January 2025, significant progress has been made in the first phase of the Olympafrica Project. A total of $79,161 has been spent on completing key components of the phase, including:
- Architectural designing and drawings
- Clearing, levelling, and preparation of the site
- Marking of the Football pitch
- Construction and installation of Football goalposts
- Grassing of the football field
- Marking of running tracks
- Construction of the Tennis court
- Construction of the Basketball/Volleyball courts
These developments lay the foundation for future sports activities and training, offering the youth of Ghana an opportunity to engage in various sports and enhance their skills. The first phase has been carefully executed with a focus on quality and long-term sustainability.
SECOND PHASE PLANS
Work is already underway for the second phase of the project, which will focus on the construction of the Multi-Purpose Sports Hall. The GOC is currently awaiting the approval of the necessary building permits from the Ga North Municipal Assembly to begin the construction. A virtual meeting between committee members and Mr. Diack on December 31, 2024, reviewed plans for the sports hall, which includes slight modifications to the initial designs. Mr. Diack is expected to visit the Amasaman site either at the end of January or early February 2025 to assess the progress and finalize the next steps for the project.
SPONSORSHIPS AND FUNDING
To ensure the successful completion of the Olympafrica Project, the GOC and the project sub-committee are actively pursuing sponsorship opportunities. These efforts are aimed at securing the remaining 30% funding required for the project. The goal is to bring additional partners on board to help cover the total cost and enhance the facilities offered.
One notable development is the recent visit by Jamaican Olympian Asafa Powell to the Amasaman site. During his visit, Mr. Powell expressed his strong support for the project and promised to speak with potential donors to help secure funding for specific aspects of the project, such as the tartan track for the sports facilities. His involvement adds a high level of credibility and appeal to the fundraising efforts, and the GOC is hopeful that these sponsorship efforts will provide the necessary financial backing to complete the second phase of the project.
The Olympafrica Project at Amasaman represents not only a major investment in sports infrastructure but also a long-term vision for the development of Ghanaian sports. It is poised to become a hub for youth development, sports excellence, and international competitions in the heart of Ghana. The GOC is committed to working alongside local and international stakeholders to ensure that the project reaches its full potential, benefiting generations of athletes in Ghana and beyond.