Friday, 19th September 2025 marked yet another historic milestone in the life of Sunyani Technical University (STU) as the institution officially inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2027 Ghana Technical Universities Sports Association (GHATUSA) Games. The colourful ceremony, held at the K. Nsiah-Gyabaah Auditorium, brought together government officials, traditional leaders, university management, faculty, students, alumni, and media representatives to launch preparations for what promises to be one of the most memorable sporting events in the country.
The 2027 GHATUSA Games will see thousands of student-athletes from across Ghana’s technical universities converge in Sunyani to compete in various sporting disciplines. With STU as the proud host, the inauguration of the LOC represents the beginning of a strategic journey to deliver games that will leave a lasting legacy for the university, the Bono Region, and Ghana as a whole.
Delivering the keynote address, the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Addae Akwaboah, extended the warm greetings of the President of the Republic, affirming government’s commitment to ensuring the success of the Games. He described the inauguration as the start of an “important journey” and assured STU of the government’s full support in delivering modern sporting facilities and enabling infrastructure.
“Sports, as we all know, is more than competition. It shapes discipline, builds character, unites people, and provides opportunities for our youth,” he said. The Minister highlighted the government’s recent restructuring of the Ministry of Youth and Sports into two separate ministries, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation as evidence of its renewed commitment to sports development.
He urged the LOC to discharge its duties with diligence and innovation, noting that the Games represent an opportunity to not only strengthen youth development but also to showcase the Bono Region’s culture, hospitality, and potential.
Council Chairman Calls for Infrastructure Investment. In his remarks, Prof. Samuel Awuah-Nyamekye, Chairman of the STU Governing Council, who chaired the ceremony, underscored both the challenge and opportunity that hosting the GHATUSA Games presents. He called for urgent investment in sporting infrastructure, stressing the need for a tartan track, basketball, volleyball, and handball courts, alongside upgrading existing facilities to meet modern standards.
“Hosting GHATUSA 2027 is not just about competition. It is about building legacies for future generations. One hand does not lift a load. We must work together as a united team to ensure success,” he stated, quoting the Akan proverb “Nsa baako nkura adesoa.”
He appealed to the government, corporate bodies, alumni, and international development agencies to support STU in preparing adequately, adding that success would require partnerships, shared vision, and commitment across stakeholders.
The Vice-Chancellor of STU, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, warmly welcomed guests and described the day as a “historic moment for the Technical University fraternity.” He reaffirmed the University’s readiness to host the Games but also admitted that inadequate sporting facilities remain a major challenge in the Bono Region.
Citing the 2025 GHATUSA Games in Cape Coast, where STU teams struggled due to limited training infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor appealed to government, alumni, and the private sector to join hands with the University in completing ongoing works such as the AstroTurf project and constructing new facilities including tartan tracks, volleyball and tennis courts.
“Investing in sports infrastructure is not just about enhancing sports; it is about empowering our youth, enabling them to excel, and restoring the pride that Sunyani Technical University has always exuded,” he said. He congratulated the newly appointed LOC members, urging them to work with transparency, diligence, and inclusiveness as they prepare to host colleagues from across Ghana in 2027.
Representing the Paramount Chief of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Ɔdɛɛfoɔ Ogyemansan Boahen Korkor II, the Kyidomhene, Nana Kwabena Sae III, delivered a message of cultural pride and unity. He described sports as a unifying force that transcends background, ethnicity, and status, and called on the LOC to see their task as more than logistics.
“This is a commitment to showcase the hospitality, culture, and unity of Bono. With the support of our people, we shall provide a home worthy of this grand festival of sports,” he said. Nana Kwabena Sae III pledged the full support of the Traditional Council, urging the LOC to build a legacy that would inspire future generations of students and athletes.
The newly appointed Chairman of the LOC, Prof. Kwadwo Boateng Prempeh, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him and pledged his dedication and readiness to serve. He recognized the magnitude of the responsibility, emphasizing teamwork, transparency, and innovation as guiding principles for the committee.
“Together, we will uphold the highest standards of transparency, teamwork, and innovation in delivering Games that reflect the excellence of our institutions and the pride of our nation,” he said.
The LOC comprises key officials including Mr. Felix Kwabena Danso (Sports Committee Chairman), Ms. Evelyn Nsiah Asare (Sports Manager and Vice Chairperson), Mr. Stephen Yeboah (Director of HR), Dr. Vida Owusu Prempeh (Dean of Students), Dr. Jacqueline Obeng (Lecturer), Mr. Samuel Nketia (Ag. Director of Works), Dr. Vera Achiaa Darko (Medical Director), Mr. Gabriel Awuah (Procurement Officer), and Mr. Ernest Owusu (Head of Student Services, Secretary).
Adding his voice, Mr. Ransford Antwi, CEO of Suncity Group of Companies, commended STU for its vision and pledged his full support toward the Games. He assured the University community that the private sector is ready to collaborate with STU to ensure the successful delivery of GHATUSA 2027.
The inauguration of the Local Organising Committee sets in motion four years of intense preparation towards hosting the 2027 GHATUSA Games. The voices of government, traditional authority, academia, and the private sector at the ceremony converged on one clear message: the success of the Games will depend on unity, shared responsibility, and investment in infrastructure.
As STU steps into this historic role, the University has positioned itself not only as a centre of academic excellence but also as a hub for youth development, sports, and national pride. With the combined commitment of all stakeholders, the 2027 GHATUSA Games in Sunyani promises to be a sporting festival that will be remembered for generations.