24th Senior Africa Athletics Championship in Ghana

The 24th Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African Senior Athletics Championships began on May 12, 2026, in Accra, Ghana. The event marks the first time Ghana has hosted the championships, bringing together elite track and field athletes from across the continent at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.

The competition, which runs through May 17, 2026, is expected to feature more than 1,500 athletes and 500 officials representing approximately 54 countries. The championships encompass 44 different disciplines, establishing the Ghanaian capital as the central hub for African athletics for the duration of the event.

The event was confirmed by the Ghana Athletics Association in correspondence with the Confederation of African Athletics following approval from the Minister of Sports and Recreation. Minister of Sports Kofi Adams is scheduled to attend the opening of the CAA Council meeting held in conjunction with the championships.

The scheduling of the championships from May 12 to May 17 was determined by the academic calendar at the University of Ghana, which has holidays from April 27 to May 29, 2026. This window also allows for the subsequent organization of the first edition of the International Student Championship, which is scheduled to take place at the same institution from May 18 to May 24, 2026.

A significant point of interest for the competition is the renewed sprint rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria. This follows previous high-profile encounters between the two nations at the same venue during the 13th African Games.

Among the confirmed participants is Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles. Other notable athletes include Zambia’s Olympic bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga, as well as competitive relay teams from Botswana and South Africa.

Ghana’s athletic contingent is led by a group of emerging sprint stars. The national speed arsenal includes:

• Abdul-Rasheed Saminu
• Benjamin Azamati
• Joseph Paul Amoah
• Ibrahim Fuseini
• Isaac Botsio
• Edwin Gadayi

These athletes enter the championships following their qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, which was secured during the World Relays in Botswana.

The opening day of competition on May 12 included the heats for the men’s 400m hurdles, the women’s 100m, and the men’s 100m. Final events held on the first day included the women’s 5000m and the women’s discus throw, while the men’s shot put final also took place.

The 2026 championships follow the 2024 edition of the African Senior Championships, which were held in Douala, Cameroon.

According to the official schedule, the event will conclude on May 17 with the mixed 4x400m relay final, before delegations depart on May 18.