The maiden edition of the African Para Games, organized by the African Paralympic Committee, officially kicked off on Monday, September 4, 2023 at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana.
The opening ceremony began with a parade of athletes from the 21 participating countries.
There were performances by traditional African dancers and musicians, including the Adowa and the Kpanlogo dancers and the drumming and singing of the Gyil.
The speeches by the dignitaries focused on the importance of the African Para Games as a platform for promoting inclusion and breaking down stigmas about disability.
The Games are aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and aim to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all individuals.
They also seek to create awareness about para-sports, promote harmony, peace, and unity, and provide a platform for athletes to identify their sporting talents.
The countries represented at the opening ceremony were Algeria, Angola, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Games will feature a number of para-sports, including wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, amputee football, and goalball.
The African Para Games is a significant event for the African Paralympic Movement and it will run from September 4 to 12, 2023.
It is a chance to showcase the talents of African athletes with disabilities and to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in society.
The Games are also a celebration of African culture and diversity.
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