The Black Meteors and the Black Queens are on course to participate in the 2023 All African Games after the Competition’s Official Logo, Mascot and Website were successfully outdoored the on December 16 in Accra.
Hon. Mustapha Ussif, the Minister of Youth and Sports, officially launched the three key elements which are the brand identities of the 13th African Games at a well-attended ceremony dubbed 'Kpojiemo' - the outdooring ceremony of the Ga people of Ghana, at the Accra International Conference.
Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, the Executive Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, together with all members of the governing body of the games were present at the event together with heads of federations from the West African nation.
During his speech, Dr. Ofosu-Asare said the logo was designed by then 21-year-old Tracey Ampah Oppong, a product of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
"We received thousands of creative designs from young Ghanaians. But, we narrowed the selection down to a shortlist of five outstanding works before whittling the number down to a further two. The two shortlisted candidates were made to appear before the African Union council and they had to justify their works. They did it via virtual together with the LOC. I have to say that the AU council was overwhelmed and impressed with the works and eventually the logo and the mascot were accepted," he said.
The Mascot, named ɔkɔdeɛ is the Akan - Twi reference for the Eagle, which was designed by Frank Fiifi Forson, has also become one of the key marketing tools for the games and will enhance branding and engagement of Africans for the games.
"In our current digital world, the website plays an important role in the formation and dissemination of news in every organisation and in dealing with the international world. The 13th African Games website will have all the necessary information and news about the games, our athletes, and the AUSC, the sporting disciplines, and the logo. It is going to be a good source of information for everybody and I will entreat my colleague journalists to avail themselves of this opportunity," Dr. Ofosu-Asare outlined the essence of the Accra 2023 African Games.
After being in office for one year and 65 days, the Local Organising Committee has worked closely with the Government of Ghana to ensure sod-cutting for the construction of an ultra-modern facility at Borteyman - Greater Accra, by H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo, President of the Republic of Ghana, on the 31st of August 2021. The supervisory body has also championed the signing of the protocol agreement for the games in October 2021. In November 2021, the Local Organising Committee also inaugurated 7 sub-committees.
In building and maintaining a strong relationship with the media, the Local Organising Committee has engaged all the media houses in the country and will soon extend it to the rest of the continent.
Through its constant and fruitful engagement with the Government of Ghana, the Local Organising Committee has been able to convince the government to assist the LOC in funding three contractors who are currently on sites working around the clock to ensure availability of the various facilities for the games.
"Borteyman is bubbling with action. If you go to Legon you will be amazed at the works going on at the site. And, at the hostels, Mawums Estate Limited is also on-site working. There is CONSAR at Legon and the contractor at Borteyman," Dr. Ofosu-Asare revealed.