African Games Accra 2023 reveal artists who will perform at opening ceremony

Now in its 13th edition, the multi-sport event, owned and organised by the African Union on behalf of its member states, will run till 23 March and feature 15 days of contest with 5 000 elite athletes from across the continent.

The programmed performers include Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeat pioneer Ebo Taylor and longtime collaborator Pat Thomas, who will treat audiences to live performances from their vast catalogues which date back to the early 60s.

“Happy to announce that I will be performing with Pat Thomas at the opening ceremony of the All African Games tomorrow in Accra,” Taylor confirmed on social media Thursday.

The pair will be joined by contemporary popstars including Shatta Wale, who has been at the forefront of the country's dancehall scene for more than a decade, and King Promise, the artists recognised as a leading Afrobeats ambassador from Ghana, as well as South African amapiano sensation Kamo Mphela.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 3pm GMT and will be broadcast to a global TV and online audience of over 5.5 billion.

“Ghana has invested significantly in state-of-the-art sporting facilities across 23 disciplines,” Youth and Sports minister Mustapha Ussif said ahead of the commencement of the competition. “From the newly constructed Olympic Stadium to the refurbished aquatic centre, these venues testify to our commitment to the fruition of a world-class competition. We are confident that these Games will be a resounding success, showcasing the best of Ghana and the power of sport to unite Africa.”

Accra 2023 events will serve as official qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.