Africa’s Road to LA28 begins as Ghana’s Paralympic committee steps up preparations

Ghana’s National Paralympic Committee (NPC Ghana) has begun detailed preparations for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, with President Samson Deen urging African Paralympic bodies to plan every aspect of an athlete’s journey well before the Games. NPC Ghana took part in the LA28 National Paralympic Committee Open Days in Los Angeles from 25 to 27 August, where officials examined issues including entry documentation, accommodation, accessibility, transport, ticketing, ceremonies and media coordination. The delegation was led by NPC Ghana president Samson Deen and included Foster Kwarteng.

The 2028 Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place from 15 to 27 August, with Los Angeles set to host the Paralympics for the first time. For African National Paralympic Committees, Mr Deen said preparation should extend beyond athlete qualification and training. “Our responsibility is to protect the athlete’s full journey.

Qualification and training must be matched by early planning for entry, accessibility, accommodation, transport, information and family support.” He said the Los Angeles meetings had helped NPC Ghana bring several outstanding issues into a single readiness plan, while identifying areas where written clarification was still required. Accessibility was one of the main issues discussed during the three-day engagement. Sessions covered accessible operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), accommodation requirements for athletes with mobility, visual and auditory needs, accessible ticketing and companion access, as well as transport arrangements for ceremonies and competition venues.

Presenters said the layout and fixed curbside arrangements at LAX could require multiple loading zones for accessible arrivals. NPC Ghana says it will seek further clarification on arrival assistance, accessible transfers, mobility equipment and the movement of delegations before the Games. Mr Deen said accessibility must be considered as a complete chain rather than focusing only on competition venues.

“A world-class venue cannot compensate for an inaccessible transfer, an incorrect room specification or information that does not reach the person who needs it,” he said. The Open Days also provided information on the Accommodation Management System, which is expected to cover requests, allocations, agreements and rooming lists.