Ghana remains confident it will stage the 2027 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations despite concerns over funding and the pace of preparations at proposed venues.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Henry Asante Twum has rejected suggestions that the country could lose the hosting rights, saying the tournament is still scheduled to take place in March 2027.
Reports had raised questions about delays to funding arrangements and the progress of infrastructure upgrades. However, Asante Twum said there had been no change to the timetable.
“We will host the 2027 AFCON in March. Nothing has changed, and we still have what it takes to host the tournament,” he told Max FM.
He said GFA president Kurt Okraku’s efforts to bring more youth competitions to Ghana were intended to improve the country’s football structures and provide greater opportunities for young players.
“President Okraku had a reason for bringing junior tournaments to Ghana because he knows that if we do not host any of them, we are not ready to grow ourselves,” he said.
Asante Twum also defended the decision to stage events including the African Games and the WAFU U-17 tournament in Cape Coast.
He said hosting major competitions formed part of a wider effort to strengthen football in Ghana, although he acknowledged that the benefits could be assessed differently.
“It was a good decision to bring the African Games and the WAFU U-17 tournament to Cape Coast, Ghana. As to the benefits, it is subjective,” he said.
“Since hosting the 2008 AFCON, we have not hosted another major tournament. It is the GFA President’s hope to have another one organised successfully. That is the hope.”
Ghana was awarded the hosting rights for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in April 2026. The tournament is expected to be included among events marking the country’s 70th Independence anniversary.
The Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Cape Coast Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium have been identified as proposed venues. The Accra Sports Stadium is also under consideration.
The competition will give Ghana the chance to display its football infrastructure while supporting the development of emerging talent across the continent.
Ghana last hosted the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 1999, when the Black Satellites won the title on home soil. The country now aims to deliver another successful tournament as preparations continue for the 2027 edition.