President John Dramani Mahama has indicated that Ghana could pursue a joint bid with neighbouring Ivory Coast to host a future edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, signalling a renewed ambition to bring the continent’s premier football tournament back to West Africa.
The proposal forms part of a broader government agenda to modernise Ghana’s sporting infrastructure and ensure the country is equipped to stage top-level Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions.
Speaking during an inspection of the Ho Stadium last week, President Mahama revealed that his administration intends to significantly expand and improve the country’s stadium network, with the goal of having multiple venues that satisfy CAF’s hosting requirements.
“We want, over the next few years, to have at least five stadiums in this country that can host CAF competitions properly,” the President said.
Mahama explained that enhancing sports infrastructure would not only benefit domestic football but also strengthen Ghana’s credentials to host major international tournaments in the years ahead.
Ghana has not staged the Africa Cup of Nations since the memorable 2008 tournament, when Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi and Tamale welcomed the continent’s finest teams in what was widely hailed as a successful championship.
Nearly two decades later, the President believes the country is once again edging closer to another opportunity to organise Africa’s biggest football spectacle.
“I’m sure that since 2008, after we hosted the AFCON, the time is almost near for us to host another AFCON,” he added.
Mahama further suggested that a collaborative bid with Ivory Coast could offer a practical pathway to securing hosting rights, reflecting the increasing popularity of shared tournaments across African football.
“Maybe, in conjunction with our neighbours, we can come together, ourselves and Ivory Coast, and then host,” he stated.
If pursued, such a partnership would align with CAF’s growing openness to co-hosting models, allowing neighbouring nations to pool infrastructure, logistics and financial resources while delivering a tournament that meets the demands of the modern game.
