Ghana’s Cultural Games Association Achieves Global Recognition Ahead of Paris 2024 Olympic Games

In a landmark achievement, the Cultural Games Association of Ghana (CGAG), in collaboration with key partners such as the Ancestral Foundation, ACGIE, and Europe Radio Strasbourg, has secured a prestigious recognition for their upcoming Cultural Games and African Village Olympics & Exhibition. This event, featuring traditional games like Skyball, Kontiball, Aman Ball, Chaskele, Catapult Game, Nte Game, Oware & Dame, Ampe, and Pushboxing, is set to take place during the Paris Olympic Games from August 1st to August 12th, 2024, at Salles Des Sports in Le Bourget, France.

Spearheaded by Cultural Games Ambassador General Prof. Owusu Nyarko Fredrick, also known as the Ancestral Poet, the CGAG’s demonstration has been honored as a Cultural Olympiad Project by the Paris Olympic Committee. This recognition underscores the event's mission to promote global cultural and traditional sports, enhancing cultural and sports diplomacy to foster peaceful coexistence, diversity, and social cohesion worldwide.

The Cultural Games and African Village Olympics & Exhibition will bring together a diverse assembly of global cultural educators, athletes, musical and cultural groups, enthusiasts, and media. This convergence aims to share cultural experiences and knowledge, strengthening diplomatic ties and forming potential partnerships to elevate cultural and traditional games to competitive global sports. The socio-economic, educational, and cultural benefits of such an initiative are immense, driving forward the vision of integrating cultural games into mainstream sports.

With robust support from the National Sports Authority, Ghana Education Service, and the National Commission on Culture, CGAG has elevated Ghana's profile in the global cultural games arena. Key international representations include Ghana Innovative Expo USA and Ghana Culture Fest Belgium, which are pivotal in the African Cultural Games tour starting in Holland this September and continuing through Belgium, Germany, and the USA.

This success is attributed to the invaluable guidance and recommendations from the National Sports Authority, expanding the brand's outreach and securing international sponsorships. Notable supporters include International Precious Metals, led by CEO John Vakis, and Kingdom Capital Group, headed by CEO Felix Aryeequaye Adjavon, both of which have provided significant financial backing for CGAG’s endeavors.

The France embassy in Accra, through the assistance of Mr. Jules Bernard, Assistant Chargé de Projets Culturels, played a crucial role in obtaining recognition from the Paris Olympic Games Committee. This acknowledgment paves the way for Ghana to become the first African country to showcase Cultural Games at an international major sports festival like the Olympics, promoting both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Nana Boateng Gyimah II, National President of the Cultural Games Association Ghana, expressed profound gratitude to media partners such as GTV, UTV, Peace FM, Kessben TV, Kantanka TV, ZoneThree6 TV, Akanayo TV, Olele Salvador, Teacher Kofi Media, Berks Concepts, and Starga Life Entertainment for their contributions in promoting the Cultural Games & African Village Olympics & Exhibition.

This event marks a significant milestone for Ghana, not only in sports but also in cultural preservation and promotion on a global stage.