Mohammed Mahadi, President of the Ghana Fencing Association, has officially announced his candidacy for re-election as Third Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the Commonwealth Games Association .
In a statement marking Eid al-Fitr, Mahadi extended his well wishes to the sports community while emphasizing the need for unity, progress, and a renewed commitment to Ghanaian sports development.
Mahadi urged stakeholders to rally behind the Sports Minister, the government, and the entire sports fraternity to strengthen the nation’s representation on the global stage.
“The division within federation leadership and the media has only weakened our collective strength,” he lamented. “We have wasted valuable energy on internal conflicts instead of leveraging our expertise to enhance Ghana’s international standing in sports.”
Mahadi also threw his full support behind Richard Akpokavie to become the next GOC President, citing his experience, leadership, and dedication to Ghanaian sports.
“It is time to rebuild the GOC and CGA into stronger institutions where federation heads and athletes no longer struggle for grants or international representation,” Mahadi stated. He emphasized the importance of timely access to funding, scholarships, and training programs, drawing lessons from the IOC, ANOC, ANOCA, and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
As he seeks re-election, Mahadi reaffirmed his vision for enhancing Ghana’s sporting landscape, outlining three key priorities:
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Strengthening international collaborations, including partnerships with the Turkish Olympic Committee and other NOCs for capacity building.
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Reviving diplomatic ties, particularly with the Spanish Embassy in Ghana, to resurrect the National Olympic Festival and expand development opportunities.
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Advancing sports infrastructure, with a plan to build a modern indoor sports emporium in Amasaman to reduce rental costs and enable Ghana to host continental events.
With the current GOC President opting not to seek re-election, Mahadi sees an opportunity for a fresh start and greater unity in Ghana’s sports leadership.
