President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that Ghana is exploring the possibility of hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) again, potentially through a joint bid with neighbouring Ivory Coast.
The president said Ghana’s ambition to stage Africa’s biggest football tournament in the future would depend on improving the country’s sporting infrastructure and ensuring that more stadiums meet the standards required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Speaking during an inspection visit to the Ho Stadium last week, President Mahama outlined plans to develop at least five stadiums across Ghana that would be capable of hosting major CAF competitions.
He said upgrading sports facilities would be an important step towards attracting international tournaments and restoring Ghana’s position as a host of major football events.
“We want, over the next few years, to have at least five stadiums in this country that can host CAF competitions properly,” the President said.
Ghana last hosted the AFCON in 2008, when matches were staged in Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi and Tamale.
The tournament was widely viewed as a successful event and remains the most recent occasion on which Ghana welcomed the continent’s leading national teams for Africa’s premier football competition.
Nearly two decades after that tournament, President Mahama believes Ghana could be approaching another opportunity to host the competition.
He said renewed investment in infrastructure could help the country prepare for a return to the AFCON stage as a host nation.
“Im sure that since 2008, after we hosted the AFCON, the time is almost near for us to host another AFCON,” he added.
The president also raised the possibility of Ghana working with Ivory Coast on a joint hosting proposal.
Such a partnership would allow both countries to combine resources and facilities while strengthening the region’s ability to stage a major continental tournament.
“Maybe, in conjunction with our neighbours, we can come together, ourselves and Cte dIvoire, and then host,” he stated.
A joint bid between Ghana and Ivory Coast would follow an increasing trend in African football, where countries have considered shared hosting arrangements to meet the financial and infrastructure demands associated with organising major competitions.
For Ghana, improving stadium facilities remains central to its plans to attract future CAF events.
The government’s target of having at least five venues capable of hosting continental competitions represents a long-term effort to raise the country’s sporting standards and create the necessary conditions for another AFCON hosting opportunity.
Ghana has a strong history with the tournament, having previously staged the 2008 edition successfully across four cities.
President Mahama believes the time could be approaching for the country to once again welcome Africa’s top football nations, provided the necessary preparations are completed.
The proposed collaboration with Ivory Coast would also strengthen West Africa’s chances of returning AFCON hosting duties to the region, while allowing both nations to share the responsibility of organising one of the continent’s biggest sporting events.
As Ghana continues its plans to improve sporting infrastructure, the possibility of another AFCON tournament being held in the country remains a key ambition for the future.
