Officials from the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the French Embassy in Ghana have met to finalize arrangements for Ghana’s participation in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, February 28, covered a wide array of topics critical to Team Ghana’s Olympic preparations, including the country’s pre-Games training camp in Strasbourg, the upcoming Africa Games, support for sports development in Ghana, and new partnerships between the GOC and the French Embassy.
At the forefront of the discussions was the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and Ghana’s ambitions to excel on the world stage. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to creating a solid framework of support and collaboration to ensure that Ghanaian athletes receive the resources and training necessary to compete at the highest level. Head of the Cultural and Cooperation Department at the French Embassy, Mr. Julien Lecas, emphasized the Embassy’s dedication to assisting Ghana in its Olympic preparations. “As 2024 is dedicated to sports, the Embassy will collaborate with you to ensure Team Ghana receives optimal support to excel at the Olympic Games,” Mr. Lecas affirmed. He underscored France’s focus on fostering stronger ties with Ghana and other African nations through sports diplomacy, further pledging that France’s support would extend beyond the Olympics to the Africa Games, a key event for Ghanaian athletes aiming for Olympic qualification.
The Africa Games was highlighted by GOC President Ben Nunoo Mensah as a critical component of Ghana’s Olympic strategy. He noted that the Africa Games would provide a valuable platform for Ghanaian athletes to earn qualification spots for Paris 2024, with eight Olympic qualification events spread across multiple sports. Nunoo Mensah described the Africa Games as an essential opportunity for Ghanaian athletes, emphasizing the importance of performing well not only for national pride but also to secure placements at the Olympic Games. “The Africa Games are an important chance for our athletes to secure their place at the Olympics, and we’re working diligently to prepare them,” he noted.
In addition to discussing Ghana’s objectives for the Africa Games and the Paris Olympics, the meeting outlined plans for a pre-Games training camp in Strasbourg. Mr. Isaac Duah, who serves as the Chef de Mission for Paris 2024 at the GOC, detailed how arrangements in Strasbourg are progressing to host Team Ghana for an intensive pre-Olympic training period. This camp is expected to provide Ghanaian athletes with the necessary resources, facilities, and conditions to acclimate to the environment they will face in Paris, helping them sharpen their skills and build team cohesion ahead of the Olympic competition. Mr. Duah conveyed the Committee’s commitment to ensuring that Team Ghana is well-prepared and optimally conditioned when they arrive in Paris.
The French Embassy and the GOC have also been working on securing ongoing support for Ghanaian sports development. Over the past few months, the two entities have collaborated extensively to bolster sports programs and develop future talent in Ghana. The French government’s efforts include assistance with sports facilities and training programs, reflecting its commitment to fostering sports talent and creating a solid foundation for the future of Ghanaian athletics. This support is anticipated to have a lasting impact on Ghana’s sports sector, providing benefits that extend well beyond the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Additionally, the French Embassy announced the selection of nine Ghanaian volunteers who will have the opportunity to work at the Paris Olympic Games, adding another layer of Ghanaian representation at the event. The volunteers, who were chosen for their dedication and passion for sports, are currently undergoing French language training at Alliance Française to prepare them for the roles they will assume in Paris. The Embassy’s commitment to language training is intended to equip these volunteers with the skills to communicate effectively in French, thereby enhancing their experience and enabling them to contribute more effectively during the Games.
In a similar vein, the Embassy revealed that language training opportunities will also be extended to Ghanaian media personnel accredited to cover the Olympics. This initiative aims to empower journalists with the language skills necessary for effective reporting, providing them with access to a wider range of information and interviews during the Games. By offering these resources, the Embassy is helping to ensure that Ghanaian journalists can deliver comprehensive coverage and connect audiences back home to the Olympic experience in France.
Attending the meeting were several prominent figures from both the Ghana Olympic Committee and the French Embassy, underscoring the importance of the event. Representing the GOC were President Ben Nunoo Mensah, Chef de Mission Isaac Duah, and Benjamin Willie Graham, a key official in Ghana’s sports sector. The French Embassy delegation included Mr. Julien Lecas, Marine Hayem, and Nathan Cadel, all of whom play essential roles in facilitating sports and cultural partnerships between France and Ghana.
The meeting concluded with a shared sense of purpose and optimism, as both the GOC and the French Embassy expressed confidence in Team Ghana’s preparations for Paris 2024. The Embassy’s commitment to Ghana’s Olympic journey marks a new chapter in Franco-Ghanaian relations, with sports serving as a bridge for mutual understanding and collaboration. By investing in the training, preparation, and representation of Ghana’s athletes and volunteers, the French Embassy is playing an instrumental role in setting the stage for what both parties hope will be a successful Olympic outing for Ghana.
As Ghanaian athletes look forward to representing their nation in Paris, the support from the French Embassy and the preparations undertaken by the GOC underscore a dedicated and united effort to elevate Ghana’s presence on the Olympic stage. With enhanced training facilities, language resources for volunteers and media, and continued partnership with the French government, Ghana’s journey to Paris 2024 is well underway, promising an Olympic experience that highlights both national pride and international cooperation.
