June 2, 2026
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) successfully hosted the 9th Mini Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games from May 5 to May 15, 2026, marking a vibrant ten-day festival of athletics and academic camaraderie. Under the patronage of Vice-Chancellor Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, the event welcomed student-athletes from 14 of Ghana’s 16 public universities, united under the theme “Integrating University Sports with Academic Professionalism.”
Professor Mawutor, in his opening remarks, emphasized the transformative role of sports in cultivating professionalism, discipline, resilience, teamwork and leadership. He proposed the creation of a National Weekly University Sports League to ensure consistent competition, enhance athlete development and generate sponsorship and media opportunities. He urged participants to uphold integrity and unity, reminding them that their foremost duty remains academic excellence.
GUSA President, Mr. Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko, commended institutions for their commitment, while acknowledging the absence of the University of Ghana (UG) and University for Development Studies (UDS). He praised their historic contributions to sports and expressed optimism about their return, remarking that “GUSA remains a family, and in a family, absence is felt not with vigilance but with understanding and goodwill.”
Mr. Tanko lauded the Games’ peaceful and competitive spirit, noting that athletes demonstrated respect and camaraderie beyond rivalry. He emphasized that university sports should remain a bridge for cooperation and national development.
Delivering the keynote on behalf of the Sports Minister, Hon. Kofi Adams, Professor Emmanuel Ofori Sarpong highlighted the Games as a cornerstone of Ghana’s sports development, noting that many national athletes emerge from university competitions. He described the event as more than recreation, but a platform for producing well-rounded graduates who excel both in academics and athletics.
The football tournament opened with UPSA defeating the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) on penalties after a tense goalless draw. UHAS later exited at the group stage after a loss to the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). In women’s volleyball, UHAS placed fourth behind UCC, UEW and KNUST, while in men’s shot put, KNUST secured first place, followed by UBIDS, UCC, and UHAS.
Ultimately, University of Cape Coast (UCC) topped the medal table, with KNUST in second place and UEW in third.
UHAS delegation was led by Professor Judith A. Torgbor, Dean of Students, alongside coaches and administrators who supported athletes across disciplines.
The 9th Mini GUSA Games concluded with renewed calls for investment in university sports as a driver of national development, leadership training and academic excellence. Beyond medals, the event fostered unity, professionalism and collaboration, reinforcing the role of university sports in nurturing Ghana’s future athletes and shaping graduates ready to contribute meaningfully to society.