Ghana’s universities started organizing biennial games in 1964 without a central governing body. The idea to establish the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) emerged in 1965 when the three public universities in Ghana participated in the maiden West Africa University Games (WAUG), held at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. There, the universities discovered the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA), which coordinated competitions for Nigerian institutions.
Since its establishment, GUSA has grown from the original three public universities to fifteen member institutions. Its membership now includes both public and private universities, expanding the association’s influence. In 2013, GUSA amended its constitution to officially allow private universities to participate, fostering greater inclusiveness across Ghana’s higher education landscape.
Upon returning to Ghana, E.T. Kodzi, then a coach at the University of Cape Coast, was tasked with drafting the GUSA constitution, which was adopted in 1969. The association’s first leadership included Mr. Sam Blankson of the University of Cape Coast as President and Mr. E.T. Kodzi as Secretary. Several others contributed to GUSA’s growth, most notably Prof. J.E. Atta Mills, former President of Ghana, who led the association for 15 years.
Active to this day, GUSA focuses on organizing biennial games and representing Ghana in national and international competitions, such as the Unity Games, WAUG, FASU, and FISU. With its continued expansion, GUSA aims to unite more tertiary institutions across the country, ensuring that sports remain a vital part of student life and institutional collaboration in Ghana.