The 13th African Games came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday with a dazzling closing ceremony in Accra as a packed University of Ghana stadium bade farewell to the continental games.
It was an electrifying fashion night, with a spectacular production befitting the grand spectacle that saw many dignitaries and over 10,000 fans in attendance.
As Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo looked on, Egypt was emphatically crowned the overall medal table winner with a staggering 189 total medals, including 101 gold.
The opening ceremony set the tone with a celebration of Africa’s cultural diversity through color, choreography and symbolism as athletes paraded into the stadium amid an atmosphere of excitement and unity.
However, the raucous ceremony on Saturday night capped an electric 16-day festival of sports in Ghana’s capital city.
“It’s been 16 days with over 5,000 athletes from 54-member states of the AU competing in 29 different Sports discipline in Accra,,” Akufo-Addo said while congratulating all participating nations.
“Ayekoo is a Ghanaian way of saying well done.”
“The opening ceremony was a dazzling display of colors, choreography, and symbols that celebrated Africa’s vast diversity.
“As the participating nations paraded in to the stadium, an electric atmosphere of excitement and pride filled the air, embodying the collective values of unity and friendship.”
Saturday’s closing event matched that energy with spectacular performances from top musical acts across the continent including Ghana’s Wiyaala and Stonbwoy, who performed an unreleased single featuring Nigerian star Odumodu Blvck
Other stars were Cameroon’s Stanley Enow, DR Congo’s Innoss’B and Gabon’s Emma’a Lohuizu.
Their shows provided a dazzling finale to 16 unforgettable days of sports, which also brought camaraderie and unity among nations.
While Egypt’s medal dominance headlined the Games, host nation Ghana also had plenty to celebrate with 68 total medals, good for 6th place overall.
Their 19 gold medals included emotional victories from the nation’s beloved football teams – the Black Satellites (men’s) and Black Princesses (women’s).
The addition of globally popular mind games like scrabble and chess, as well as the rapidly growing e-sports realm, gave the African Games’ an appeal to a wider range of participants and fans across the continent.
As the Games flames were extinguished in Accra, the attention now turns to Egypt who will look to sustain its continental sporting dominance as hosts of the 14th African Games in 2027.
With such an impressive showing in Accra, Egypt’s athletes will carry a lot of momentum and confidence heading into the 2027 Games as the host nation. Their stranglehold over many sports disciplines makes them the undisputed continental power.
But Ghana reinforced its reputation as passionate sports lovers and capable hosts through a memorable 16-day experience.
As the Games move to Egypt in 2027, Ghana used the closing ceremony’s grandeur to pass the baton and set the standard for memorable multi-sport productions.
Their all-around strong hosting raised anticipation for future African Games to maintain Ghana’s high barometer for cultural engagement and operational success.
