The Vice President of Ghana and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced a substantial change in sports funding under his government, aiming to fulfil Ghana’s requirements for contemporary sports development.
During his address on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, he highlighted the untapped potential in Ghana’s sports and identified insufficient, non-sustainable funding as a significant obstacle.
#ItIsPossible #BawumiaSpeaks pic.twitter.com/eDQTmGfNke
— Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (@MBawumia) February 6, 2024
“Sports is a multi-million dollar industry and an enabler for the youth,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“However, we have not realized our full sports potential, and we cannot maximize the full potential of Ghana sports, with the same funding module we have operated with since independence.”
To address it for Ghana Sports to thrive, Dr Bawumia said, as part of his new sports development vision as President, he “will have a major focus on policies, tax and other incentives to increase private and public investment.”
“My government will, therefore, prioritise the creation of incentives for corporate sponsorship as a sustainable module of financing sports development and promotion for our national teams, including football, athletics and boxing at all levels.”
“This will take the financial pressure off the government and enable the government to redirect more support to other sports disciplines.”
Dr. Bawumia further emphasized implementing a new funding approach to enhance federation activities.
According to him, the government aims to prioritize grassroots development by creating the School Sports Secretariat.
Under the Ministry of Sports, this agency will collaborate with the Ghana Education Service and sports federations to promote grassroots sports within schools.
