We are prepared for African Athletics Championships - Team Ghana captain Joseph Paul Amoah

Joseph Paul Amoah urged his teammates to rise to the occasion as the African Athletics Championships approach.

Ghana will host the continental showpiece from May 12 to 17 at the UG Sports Stadium. The competition is expected to attract around 54 countries and more than 1,500 athletes. The event ranks among the biggest fixtures on the 2026 athletics calendar. Amoah expressed confidence in the team's preparation, insisting that the athletes are in good shape and fully motivated for the challenge ahead. He praised the support from fans and assured that the squad is determined to reward that faith with strong performances on home soil, saying, "You saw what happened the last time, and we really liked the support. We are very prepared, and we have trained hard. We are going to come out here and make sure we put smiles on Ghanaians' faces again." Amoah acknowledged the pressure that comes with competing as hosts but described it as a positive force rather than a burden, adding, "There's pressure, but we can only use it to motivate ourselves."

The 24th African Senior Athletics Championships will also serve as a key build-up event for athletes targeting the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, scheduled for July 23 to August 2.