Sports are widely popular in Ghana. The country has been participating in Olympic sports since 1952 when it competed as the Gold Coast. Football is its most popular sport, others including basketball, boxing, cricket, golf, hockey, rugby, and tennis.
Football, which Americans know as soccer, is chief among the sports in Ghana. The Ghana Black Stars, the national football team, has qualified for every World Cup since 2006, and has won the Africa Cup of Nations four times. The Black Stars are regulated by the Ghana Football Association, which is the administrative body for football in Ghana. Before 1957, when the Republic of Ghana was created, the team was known as the Gold Coast, founded in 1920.
Another football team in Ghana is the Hearts of Oak Sporting Club. Based in Accra, the club was founded in 1911, and competes in the Ghana Premier League.
Other clubs participating in the Ghana Premier League are the Aduana Stars, Asante Kotoko, Ashanti Gold, Bechem United, Berekum Chelsea, Bolga All Stars, Ebusua Dwarfs, Elmina Sharks, Great Olympics, Inter Allies, Liberty Professionals, Medeama, Tema Youth, All Stars, and WAFA.
Administered by the Amateur Basketball Association of Ghana, the Ghana National Basketball Team represents the country in international competitions. The country also has a U-18 national team that represents Ghana in international basketball competitions for players under the age of 18.
Boxing is also a popular sport in Ghana, which has had several compete in international and Olympic championship fights.
The Ghana Cricket Association is charged with promoting the sport of cricket in Ghana, and the Ghana National Cricket Team represents the country in international cricket matches. A team representing the British Gold Coast competed in its first match in 1904, and in international matches since 1907. Until the 2000s, Ghana had mostly competed against other West Africa teams, playing its first ICC tournament in 2004, but has since competed in other international matches.
As might be expected, golf was introduced to Ghana by its British colonial administrators, who built nine-hole golf courses in Accra. The country now has more than fifteen golf clubs, mostly in the Western Region, and this includes a few eighteen-hole courses. The Ghana Golf Association was organized in the mid-1970s, and is charged with promoting amateur and professional golfing in Ghana, regulating the sport, mediating inter-club disputes, and enforcing the rules of golf.
The Ghana Hockey Association is the administering body for field hockey in Ghana, and is affiliated with the African Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation. The Ghana men's national field hockey team played in the Hockey World League for the first time in the 2016-2017 season. The venue for most of the hockey play in Ghana is the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra.
Rugby has been a minor sport in Ghana since it was introduced by British colonial administrators. Originally played mostly by white expatriates, the sport has been growing in popularity. The Ghana Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby in Ghana, replacing the Gold Coast Rugby Union in 2005. Ghana played its first international game in 2003, and has not yet participated in a Rugby World Cup tournament.
The Ghana Davis Cup team represents the country in Davis Cup tennis competitions, and is governed by the Ghana Tennis Association. The team has not competed in recent years.
Besides professional, semi-professional, and Olympic sports play, Ghanaians participate in any of a number of sports and recreational activities, such as table tennis, volleyball, and other games.
Other appropriate topics for this category may include attractions and events in Ghana, such as libraries, museums, historical places, theaters, concerts, and festivals.
Sites of interest to tourists in Ghana might include European forts or castles, which are now serving as museums or hotels, as well as its national parks. Ghana has several museums and heritage sites, including those that focus on specific Ghanaian regions. The Balme Library at the University of Ghana offers free admission, and features several very old books about the history of the Gold Coast and Ghana.
A number of festivals and other events take place in Ghana, most of which are largely intended for the local population or specific segments of the population, but others are ones that tourist might have an interest in. Any websites that are announcing or otherwise focused on these events are also appropriate for this category, as are those representing theaters, concert halls, or other entertainment venues.
Recommended Resources
Situated in a wooded area north of Accra, on the grounds of Achimota School, the golf course has been in operation since the early 1900s. Originally a 7-hole course, it was expanded to 9-holes in the 1930s, and to an 18-hole course in 1970. A club history, rules and regulations, visitor information, membership policies, and an overview of the facilities are put forth, along with a photo gallery.
http://ghanacommunity.com/
The site offers photos, directions, schedules, and information about basketball courts in the West Africa country of Ghana. Featured is Accra Sports Stadium, Aviation Social Centre, Lincoln Community School, Kings College, Budumburam Refugee Camp, Teach on the Beach, El Wak Sports Stadium, and May’s Educational Centre, some of which are indoor while others are outdoor hoops.
http://basketballcourtsofghana.tumblr.com/
The GFA is the successor to the Gold Coast Football Association, which was one of the oldest football associations in Africa, and became the Ghana Football Association when the Republic of Ghana was established in 1959. Its national teams and competitions are highlighted, along with information about its programs, projects, coaching, and development. Photos, press releases, and a blog are included.
http://www.ghanafa.org/
Charged with promoting the game of golf in Ghana, both amateur and professional, the GGA regulates all aspects relating to golf, including inter-club disputes, and enforcing the rules of golf as set forth by the world ruling body, the Royal and Ancient of Saint Andrews, Scotland. Its site includes a history of golf in Ghana, the Ghana Ladies Golf Union, a directory of golf courses in Ghana, and a tournament schedule.
http://www.ghanagolfassociation.com/
The game of rugby in Ghana is developed and managed by the Ghana Rugby Association, operating as the Ghana Rugby Football Union. A profile of the GRA and the GRFU are put forward, including its boards, constitution, and code of conduct. Rugby associations and clubs within Ghana are featured, along with championship information and schedules, development news and announcements, and a blog.
http://ghanarugby.org/
A subsidiary of Ghana Sports Data Service, Ghana Soccernet offers sponsorship and advertising opportunities for brands, as well as offering information about soccer in Ghana and the surrounding West Africa region. Its topics include the Ghana Premier League and national soccer teams, with photographs, audio on demand, live scores, and profiles of players, as well as other Ghana soccer teams and facilities.
http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/
International Tennis Academy, Ghana
The ITA was created to provide opportunities for at-risk athletic youth in Ghana and nearby African countries to learn to play tennis and to compete, offer opportunities for adults and to focus on the development of competitive athletes. Its vision, future goals and objectives, and photos and a description of its tennis court facilities, its programs, schedules, sponsorships, and management team.
http://www.playtennisghana.com/
