Bawah Fuseini Recognized as African Athletics Leader of the Year

Bawah Fuseini, the President of Ghana Athletics, has been honored with the prestigious Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Leader of the Year 2024 award. This recognition is a result of his exceptional leadership during the 13th All-Africa Games, which were held in Ghana in March 2024. Fuseini, who assumed the leadership role in August 2023, has played a pivotal part in bringing the athletics events at the Games to the forefront, receiving widespread acclaim for their quality and organization.

In its 2024 report, the CAA highlighted the athletics competition at the African Games as the best of all the events. The CAA praised the outstanding organization, enthusiastic public participation, and the atmosphere that filled the stadium, which was comparable to major global sporting events. The CAA also acknowledged that President Fuseini was instrumental in this success, which led to his selection for the prestigious Leader of the Year award.

Additionally, the CAA took note of the significant role Fuseini played in securing Ghana’s hosting rights for the 24th African Athletics Championships in 2026. This achievement further enhances Ghana’s reputation as a central hub for athletics on the African continent. The CAA’s recognition of Fuseini’s leadership comes as a testament to the strides made in Ghanaian athletics under his guidance.

In an interview with JoySports, Fuseini expressed his deep appreciation for the honor, emphasizing that the award is not just a personal achievement but a recognition of the collective efforts of the entire Ghana Athletics team. He acknowledged the contributions of various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Authority (NSA), the media, and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), all of whom were critical to the success of the African Games. Fuseini also noted the role of the passionate Ghanaian public, whose enthusiasm played a major part in the successful execution of the athletics events.

While he expressed pride in receiving the award, Fuseini stressed that it is also a call to continue striving for even greater recognition on the global stage. “The athletics events during the African Games were among the best in recent memory on the continent,” Fuseini said. “However, our ultimate goal is to gain more global recognition for Ghanaian athletics and continue improving.”

Beyond Fuseini, the CAA also acknowledged the contributions of Yaw Agyeman, one of the call room officials during the Accra 2024 All-Africa Games. Agyeman, who has special needs, was recognized for his exceptional dedication and professionalism. His duties included escorting athletes from the call room to the starting lines and ensuring that events ran on time. His punctuality, seriousness, and positive attitude earned him the respect of athletes, coaches, and officials alike.

The CAA commended Agyeman for his contribution to the success of the Games and awarded him an exceptional mention, encouraging him to continue his important work. Agyeman’s commitment was seen as a model of perseverance and professionalism, making him a standout figure during the African Games. His recognition serves as an inspiration, showing that determination and dedication can overcome any challenges.

The awards to Fuseini and Agyeman reflect not only individual accomplishments but also the broader success of Ghana’s athletics community. These recognitions highlight Ghana’s growing role in African sports and its capability to host major athletic events. As Ghana prepares for the 2026 African Athletics Championships, these accolades reinforce the country’s commitment to developing athletics on the continent and positioning itself as a key player in global sports.

The achievements of Ghana’s athletics leaders signify a turning point for the country, with a promising future for the sport in Ghana and Africa as a whole. The leadership, dedication, and success demonstrated by Fuseini and Agyeman are a testament to the hard work being put into Ghana’s athletics scene and will continue to inspire future generations of athletes and sports professionals.