Sports Ministry initiates quarterly engagements with federations
The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, is engaging sports stakeholders in the country in a bid to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the Ghana’s sports ecosystem.
According to the minister, the meetings would be held quarterly to review progress on issues agreed upon.
It was attended by Mr Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) and his deputies, Mr Bawa Fuseini, the Director of the Winneba Sports College, Mr Richard Akpokavie, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, and Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), among others.
Also in attendance at the last meeting were heads and representatives of the various sports federations and associations.
In his keynote address, Mr Adams reiterated the government’s commitment to support all sports disciplines and pledged to collaborate closely with federations and associations to address challenges to unlock opportunities.
He also emphasised the importance of collaboration, innovation, and accountability, encouraging federations and associations to align with the ministry’s broader vision for inclusive sports development.
The minister also highlighted the need for national federations and associations to work together, noting that some could learn valuable lessons from others that are well-structured, citing the Ghana Football Association as an example of a well-organised body.
“The trajectory of the Ghanaian football ecosystem should serve as a model for all of us,” he stated.
Again, he mentioned that government was commitment to complete all unfinished sports infrastructure projects.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah, on his part presented a regulatory framework for sports development and promotion, stating that the NSA would partner the media to create monthly spotlight features on various disciplines and athletes to aid in promotion.
The GOC President, Mr Akpokavie urged the Ministry to consider allocating resources to federations based on performance.
He also called for increased involvement in combating doping, stressing that sports was not only about medals and victories but also about fair competition, respect for rules, and serving as role models for future generations.
Mr William Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, addressed concerns raised by some federation members regarding funding.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
