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Accra, Ghana – January 5, 2026 — The Ghana Olympians Association (GOA), in partnership with the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the GOC Athletes’ Commission (GOC-AC), on Monday hosted a national athlete career preparation workshop aimed at equipping athletes for life beyond competitive sport.

Titled “The End Is Really the Beginning ooo!”, the interactive programme was held at the Media Center of the Accra Sports Stadium and brought together over 50 athletes and former athletes representing 23 national federations, across Olympic and non-Olympic sports. The workshop also drew senior sports administrators from across Ghana, who attended to gain insight into athlete transition challenges and emerging best practices in athlete-centred development.

Opening the programme, Prof. Andrew Owusu, OLY, President of the Ghana Olympians Association, underscored the importance of preparing athletes early for the realities of post-competition life.
“The journey of an athlete does not end when competition ends. In many ways, that is when a new chapter begins; one that requires early preparation, support, and strong networks to successfully navigate.”

The opening ceremony also featured remarks from the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee and the Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority (NSA), reflecting strong institutional alignment around athlete welfare and long-term development beyond competition.
Speaking at the event, the GOC President described the workshop as a turning point in athlete support collaboration.

“This workshop signals a new era of cooperation between the Ghana Olympic Committee, the Ghana Olympians Association, and the GOC Athletes’ Commission. Together, we are strengthening an athlete-centred system that supports excellence on the field while deliberately preparing athletes for meaningful and sustainable lives beyond competition.”

Addressing participants subsequently, the NSA Board Chairman, Dr. Fred Awaah, noted that the Government of Ghana is increasingly concerned about the post-sporting lives of athletes and recognises the need for structured support beyond active competition. He indicated that government-led initiatives to support athlete transition are currently being developed and will be announced in due course.

The workshop featured fully interactive sessions facilitated by distinguished Olympians and industry professionals, including Prof. Francis Dodoo, OLY, Chairman of the World Athletics Governance Commission and Founding and Former President of the Ghana Olympians Association; Chris Essilfie, Executive Director of IBS Consulting Alliance; Prof. Andrew Owusu, OLY; and Prof. Christian Nsiah, OLY.

Key themes covered included recognising and leveraging opportunity, financial management, mentoring and networking, transferable skills from sport, and consolidating long-term career plans. Discussions highlighted the predictable athlete lifecycle, the short peak earning window in sport, and the importance of structured preparation beginning as early as junior and senior high school.
Participants engaged in discussion-driven activities, reflective exercises, and practical planning sessions, leaving with clearer direction, stronger professional connections, and individualized commitments toward education, skills development, financial planning, and mentorship.

By jointly hosting the initiative, the GOA, GOC, and GOC Athletes’ Commission reaffirmed their shared commitment to athlete welfare beyond competition and to building a more inclusive, athlete-centred support ecosystem in Ghana.