A ranking member of Parliament’s Sports Committee has described the ongoing African athletics championship in Accra as a “national embarrassment”, citing widespread organisational failures and poor athlete welfare.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (14 May), Vincent Ekow Assafuah said the event had exposed serious lapses in planning despite significant budgetary provisions.

“This is an international embarrassment… something must be done urgently to salvage Ghana’s name,” he said.

Assafuah referenced complaints from athletes and international media, including reports of inadequate food, lack of internet access for journalists, and technical failures during events.

He said the situation had forced some athletes to rely on video footage to verify race outcomes, while journalists struggled to report due to poor connectivity.

“Common data, common internet was not provided… athletes even had to go and watch their own videos,” he said.

The lawmaker warned that such shortcomings risk damaging Ghana’s reputation as a host of international sporting events.

According to Assafuah, international coverage of the event has already highlighted the shortcomings, amplifying concerns beyond Ghana.

He cautioned that the fallout could affect the country’s chances of hosting future competitions and may even attract sanctions from global sporting bodies.

“The reputational damage… has already happened,” he said.

He urged authorities to investigate the organisation of the championship, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable.

Assafuah added that urgent corrective measures were needed to restore confidence in Ghana’s sports administration.