Ghana's Historic First: Young Karting Stars Head to Angola for Continental Motorsport Debut

Ghana is poised to write a new chapter in its sporting history as a three-driver team prepares for the nation's debut at an international karting championship. The squad will compete at the Karting Africa Showrun in Benguela, Angola, on 10 and 11 October 2026, marking Ghana's first official representation at a continental motorsport event.

The historic delegation comprises senior driver Jihad Armand alongside junior competitors Khloé Kusi-Asomah, 11, and Ezra Stephens, 9. Armand has undergone professional training at the WORR Motorsport academy in South Africa, whilst the younger drivers have been cultivating their passion for karting development from early ages. Auto Racing Ghana (ARG), the organisation spearheading Ghana's motorsport evolution, unveiled the team following a courtesy visit to National Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah in Accra.

Continental Stage and Future Opportunities

The Karting Africa Showrun will bring together 39 drivers from across Africa, with expected attendance from senior officials of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and national motorsport authorities from the continent. This prestigious event serves a dual purpose: it represents immediate competition for Team Ghana whilst simultaneously functioning as a preview for the Karting Africa Cup, which will span five African nations throughout 2027.

Significantly, Ghana is scheduled to host the Karting Africa Showrun in 2027, positioning the nation as a future hub for continental motorsport activity. The NSA Director-General expressed enthusiasm for the team's initiative despite resource constraints, pledging institutional support once Auto Racing Ghana completes its formal registration process.

Why It Matters for Ghana

Ghana's entry into competitive continental motorsport signals the nation's broader ambitions to develop a world-class motorsport infrastructure and ecosystem. ARG is actively working towards establishing FIA-standard racing tracks within Ghana, facilities designed to support karting development, road car clubs, and professional driver training programmes. Beyond competitive racing, these venues would facilitate vehicle launches, test drives, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education initiatives.

The STEM Racing Ghana programme particularly underscores motorsport's wider educational value, targeting engagement with over 100 schools and 10,000 students. This reflects growing recognition that motorsport can serve as a practical platform for developing technical skills and engineering interest among young Ghanaians. Furthermore, ARG is collaborating with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Standards Authority to leverage motorsport as a road safety advocacy tool.

The financial backing for this inaugural mission demonstrates commercial confidence in Ghana's motorsport future. Engineers & Planners is providing primary funding for Team Ghana's Angola trip, with additional support from Imperial General Assurance, ASKY Airlines, and Starbites. This multi-sector sponsorship reflects how motorsport development can catalyse partnerships across engineering, insurance, aviation and hospitality sectors.

Ghana's participation at an international motorsport event comes at a moment when the continent increasingly recognises karting as a crucial pathway for identifying and nurturing driving talent. By establishing Ghana's presence now, ARG is positioning young Ghanaian drivers to develop competitive experience on the continental stage whilst building the institutional foundations necessary for long-term motorsport growth at home.