The MP for Buem and Minister Designate for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams has emphasized the need for a holistic approach to sports development, highlighting the importance of grassroots investment and the diversification of attention beyond football and the Black Stars.
Speaking on GHOne TV’s Hard Talk, Mr. Adams stressed that sports in Ghana cannot be limited to football or the national football team, the Black Stars. “Sports is not football, sports is not Black Stars. Sports go beyond football,” he stated. “We must manage and develop all sports holistically.”
While acknowledging the national love for football and its role as a unifying force, Adams underscored the need to invest in other sporting disciplines, including athletics, badminton, boxing, and even traditional games. He pointed out that less-funded sports have often brought glory to Ghana on international platforms, as seen in recent All-African Games results.
A significant portion of the conversation revolved around the challenge of financing sports. Adams revealed plans to establish a dedicated sports fund, which would be supported through innovative sources such as decapped government funds, private sector partnerships, and targeted allocations from existing schemes like the GETFund and District Assemblies Common Fund.
“We want to ensure that no sport is left behind,” he explained. “When funds are placed under the management of the sports ministry, we can strategically support grassroots sports and other lesser-funded disciplines.”
Adams also stressed the importance of engaging all stakeholders, including sports federations, associations, and private organizations, to create a cohesive sports development strategy. “Leadership will be about ensuring that every federation and association succeeds,” he said.
Additionally, Adams suggested transferring the management of inter-school sports from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. “Education will still handle physical education, but we will explore managing inter-school sports to ensure proper funding and growth from the grassroots level,” he noted.
Adams articulated a comprehensive vision for sports in Ghana, emphasizing its health, business, recreational, and unifying aspects. “Sports must be seen as a critical part of national development,” he declared.
Despite his focus on broadening Ghana’s sporting horizons, Adams reaffirmed his commitment to supporting football, particularly the Black Stars. “Black Stars are like carbohydrates in our diet. They are foundational, and their success reflects positively on other sports,” he said.
Adams ended the discussion on an optimistic note, promising further engagement with stakeholders to bring back the love for all sports in Ghana. “We will work together to ensure systematic funding and sustainable growth across all sporting disciplines,” he concluded.
