01/10/2026
“We Have Gathered To Build A Movement" — Mornah Declares New Era For Upper West Athletics.
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The Chairman of the Upper West Regional Athletics Association, Mr. Bernard Anbataayela Mornah, says the Region is set to begin a new chapter in its athletics story.
Delivering his welcome address at the opening of the Coaching, Officiating and Athletics Meet Programme in Wa, running from 1st to 3rd October, 2026, Mr. Mornah said the three-day program is not just another event but the start of a movement to professionalize athletics in the Upper West Region.
The programme is being held on the theme: “Professionalising Athletics in the Upper West Region: Building Coaches, Officials and Athletes for Excellence.”
Addressing the President of Ghana Athletics, Representatives of the National Sports Authority, facilitators, coaches, officials, athletes and the media at Wa Technical Institute, the Chairman said somewhere in the schools, villages and communities of the region lies a future national, African and international champion who must be discovered and nurtured.
“We have not gathered here simply to organise another programme. We have gathered to build a movement. Talent alone is not enough. Talent must be discovered, trained, guided and given the opportunity to compete," he stated.
Mr. Mornah said the Region does not lack talent, but what it needs are trained coaches to identify it, competent officials to guarantee credible competitions, and regular competitions to test athletes.
He charged coaches as builders of dreams to go back to their districts, schools and clubs to find and develop talent, while calling on officials to uphold fairness, competence and integrity.
To the athletes, he said: “This is your stage. Run with courage, jump with confidence, throw with strength and compete with honour."
Mr. Mornah outlined a vision to establish effective athletics structures in all eleven districts and municipalities of the Upper West Region — from Wa to Lawra, Nandom to Jirapa, Lambussie to Sissala — stressing that “No talent should be lost because of geography."
He further challenged participants not to allow the programme to end on 3rd October, but to return as ambassadors to build clubs, organise competitions and mentor young people.
“Let us build an Upper West Region that Ghana cannot ignore when the conversation turns to athletics. One day, an athlete from this region will stand on a major international podium. And when that day comes, we should proudly say: We built the coaches, we trained the officials, we discovered the athlete and together we built the system that made excellence possible."
The programme is expected to bring together the three essential pillars of athletics development — the Coach, the Official and the Athlete — as the Association seeks to move athletics from potential to performance and from enthusiasm to professionalism.
