The Ghana Badminton Association and Special Olympics Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday at the Borteyman Sports Complex to expand badminton access for athletes with intellectual disabilities ahead of the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Those Games run from October 16 to 24, 2027, in Santiago, Chile. Under the agreement, the two organisations will train and certify teachers as badminton coaches, provide technical education to Special Olympics athletes and coaches, and build a national team to compete in Santiago.
Ghana Badminton Association president Evans Yeboah said the partnership requires more than good intentions. “We need institutional support. We need teachers trained, coaches certified,” he said, adding that the sport aims to reach every community, school, gender and ability group.
Special Olympics Ghana secretary-general Ebenezer Owusu said around 4 percent of Ghanaians live with intellectual disabilities, according to his own estimate, and that many have historically been excluded from organised sport. He said the MOU commits both bodies to giving athletes proper coaching and a chance to represent Ghana internationally.
Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) board member Kamal Sulley called the agreement a model for cooperation between sports federations and disability organisations. A representative of the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) said other countries on the continent are watching Ghana’s approach, suggesting it could shape similar partnerships elsewhere.
The initiative connects to the Badminton World Federation and Special Olympics International’s joint development strategy for 2026 to 2031, which aims to expand inclusive badminton programmes globally. Selection trials and coach training are expected to begin in the coming months, though neither organisation has set a firm date.