Ghana’s former Minister of Youth and Sports, Akua Sena Dansua, has raised concerns over the declining state of sports in the country, attributing the downturn to the quality of leadership within the ministry over the years.
Dansua, who served under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, shared her thoughts in an exclusive interview with Citi Sports, emphasizing that inconsistent and ineffective leadership has stunted the growth of Ghana’s sports sector.
There’s a lot that has gone wrong, especially with football, in terms of leadership.
I’m talking about ministerial and other association leadership.
I’m talking about corruption in the sector. I’m talking about political interference.
And I’m talking also about the inexperience and lack of unity among the playing body.
I mean, I’m talking about the national teams here.
So, for me, if we are coming to reset every sector of the economy, then definitely football will also benefit.
And this boils down largely to the personality that will be appointed as a minister, together with competent deputies.
Since its inception in 1978, Ghana’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has seen a revolving door of leaders, each tasked with advancing the nation’s athletic and youth development.
Among them, Isaac Asiamah stands out as one of the longest-serving ministers, holding office from 2017 to 2021.
The former minister noted that while Ghana boasts rich sporting talent and potential, the absence of strategic planning and consistent leadership has weakened the sector’s ability to thrive.
The focus now shifts to the government’s selection process – a decision that could define the future of Ghanaian sports as it prepares to appoint its 26th Minister of Youth and Sports.
