# International sports diplomacy and gender equality efforts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/international-sports-diplomacy-and-gender-equality-efforts > Updated: 2026-08-26T15:19:10.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama invited Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell to participate in a national youth sports festival to inspire Ghanaian youth. Powell indicated that sprinting could serve as a tool for “diplomacy and cultural exchange” to strengthen ties between Jamaica and Ghana. In a separate initiative, the United States Embassy in Accra announced a Sports Envoy programme for September, intended to bring American athletes and coaches to Ghana to train high school coaches of female student-athletes. Later, during Panam Sports Week in Lima, Asafa Powell was honored for his career achievements and participated in a ‘Women in Sport’ forum. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry used the forum to emphasize that promoting equal opportunities for female athletes is a “shared responsibility,” noting the need for increased participation for girls and more leadership roles for women. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Panam Sports Week forum addresses gender equality in athletics At Panam Sports Week in Lima, IOC President Kirsty Coventry and sprinter Asafa Powell joined leaders to discuss strategies for promoting gender equality and leadership opportunities for women in sports. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panam-sports-week-forum-addresses-gender-equality-in-athletics ### 2026-08-14: Ghana expands sports diplomacy through Asafa Powell invitation and U.S. envoy programme Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has invited sprinter Asafa Powell to inspire local athletes, while the U.S. Embassy in Accra launches a sports diplomacy programme for female student-athletes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ghana-expands-sports-diplomacy-through-asafa-powell-invitation-and-us-envoy-programme --- Cite as: International sports diplomacy and gender equality efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/international-sports-diplomacy-and-gender-equality-efforts