BY TAMARAYIEGBABE BIBIE
The 2026 Senior African Athletics Championships have turned Accra into more than a sports venue, injecting energy into neighborhoods from Madina to Circle and American House to Achimota.
With 1,500 athletes and 500 officials from 50 countries converging on the capital, the event is driving a surge in business for hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, transport, and local vendors. What started as a continental meet is now a commercial boost rippling through the city’s small businesses.
That large continental turnout is one of the clearest immediate economic gains for the city, even before the medals are decided.
This is the story of Kate Andrews one of the biggest benefactors of the Continental showpiece.
She described the Championship as an economic catalyst which is being felt across the Nation.
“This event has helped the economic sector in Accra because, there are a lot of vendors around me who are here to showcase and sell what they have and there are a lot of individuals buying, from apparel to food, to water, the championship has really helped a lot,” she said.
Kate who deals in the textile industry, created Championship shirts, shorts and other apparel which she is selling across the stadium with over a dozen shops under her guidance.
She stated that the championship aptly portrays the dream of every Ghanaian business man and woman.
“Also because of the youths, many of them have come out to sell, some serve as volunteers, it doesn’t allow them to be idle, it helps them to make some money rather than stealing,” she explained.
Adding that, in addition to the commercial benefits, the championship is also putting Accra’s creative and hospitality sectors on display.
She called on the Ghanaian government to host more events like this, emphasizing that the benefits economically can’t be overemphasized.
“I’d encourage the Ghana Sports Authority to host more events like this in Accra, because it helps in the Economic growth of Ghana,” she added.
