Ghana is due to host the African Games for the first time from March 8 to 23 next year, having been postponed from August 2023 because of delays to preparations and an economic crisis.

Critics have argued Ghana should withdraw from staging the Games against the backdrop of average price rises of more than 41 per cent in the last year and a $3 billion (£2.4 billion/€2.8 billion) bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

However, Accra 2023 spokesperson Dan Kwaku Yeboah has insisted the Ghanaian Government is fully committed to staging the Games.

“Already over $200 million (£159 million/€186 million) have been committed into the project,” Kwaku Yeboah told German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle.

“Yes, the economic challenges are there, but Government is 100 per cent committed to ensuring that Ghana delivers the Games.”

More than 5,000 athletes from over 50 countries are expected to compete at Accra 2023, which has retained its original branding despite the delay until next year.

Despite the postponement to the African Games, Accra remains scheduled to host the inaugural African Para Games from September 3 to 12 this year.