Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has officially inaugurated the Ghana Sports Fund Board, describing the occasion as a landmark moment in the nation’s sporting history. He emphasized that the Fund is the result of “political will, clarity of purpose, and commitment to delivery.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Adams noted that the Fund’s creation was years in the making, spanning multiple policy discussions and reform efforts. He credited President John Mahama’s leadership for ensuring that sport is treated as a key component of national development rather than an afterthought.
“This Fund did not emerge overnight,” Adams said. “This time, there was deliberate action, backed by government commitment to support sport consistently.”
He detailed the legislative process behind the Fund, explaining that it began with a Cabinet Memorandum, which received approval, followed by the passage of the Sports Fund Bill in Parliament. With Presidential Assent, the Ghana Sports Fund was formally established under Act 1159, culminating in the inauguration of the Governing Board.
The Minister highlighted that the Fund is designed to address long-standing challenges in Ghanaian sport, including unpredictable funding, unequal resource distribution, and insufficient support for athletes. “Too many federations have operated from crisis to crisis, and too many athletes have prepared for major competitions without assurance,” he noted.
Adams explained that the Fund’s objectives are to mobilize and manage resources transparently for athlete development, grassroots sport, infrastructure, capacity building, and high-performance preparation. It aims to introduce planning where there was uncertainty, equity where there was imbalance, and accountability where there was discretion.
Placing Ghana in a global context, he said: “Countries that lead in sport invest deliberately. They do not rely on chance or goodwill—they build institutions that fund sport consistently and protect athlete welfare. Ghana is now on that same path.”
While underscoring the importance of the Fund, Adams stressed that leadership, governance, and discipline remain critical to its success. He charged members of the Board to exercise fairness, transparency, and strategic thinking, noting: “This Fund must serve sport, not interests. It must reward performance, not proximity.”
The Minister assured the Board of government support but emphasized that strong governance and public trust are essential. He also challenged sports federations to adopt structured planning, measurable outcomes, and professionalism, while ensuring athletes are supported and held to high standards.
Adams concluded by highlighting the transformative potential of the Fund: “If we get this right, young people will see sport as a viable pathway, athletes will prepare with confidence, federations will plan with certainty, and infrastructure will be developed sustainably. Today, we move from longing to action.”
He commended policymakers, legislators, sports leaders, and President Mahama for their commitment, urging all stakeholders to ensure that the Ghana Sports Fund serves athletes, communities, and the nation’s sporting future.
