Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lartey Vanderpuye has urged the government to establish an independent commission to manage the newly approved Sports Fund Bill, warning that political control could undermine the purpose of the initiative.
His comments come after Parliament passed the Sports Fund Bill, which was laid by Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams as a sustainable financing mechanism to support sports development across Ghana.
According to Nii Lante Vanderpuye, an independent body made up of professionals with deep knowledge of sports administration would be better placed to manage the fund objectively, set clear priorities and ensure long-term sustainability.
Speaking on the issue, the former minister stressed the need for clear performance benchmarks tied to funding allocations.
We must also give KPIs. The fact that boxing is our best sport and so we want to invest in sports. As to whom much is given, much is expected.
We’ll be expecting that five years, ten years down the line, boxing should be able to take us to this level. If they are not able to do that, we’ll reduce the funding we are giving them. So all those things must be enshrined in the regulations and the operational manuals that will go by this fund.
He further emphasized that the administration of the fund must be handled by competent and impartial professionals, not political actors.
And we must have a very, very strong, impartial, very professional administrators who administer this fund. I wouldn’t want this fund to be administered from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. There must be an independent commission with professionals, with people knowledgeable about sports to manage this fund.
Vanderpuye warned that political interference could compromise fairness and professionalism, arguing that personal or party affiliations should never influence funding decisions.
If the process becomes political, professionalism will be lost,” he added. “This fund must be administered independently, objectively and in the best interest of Ghanaian sports.
He concluded by reiterating the importance of objectivity and professionalism in managing the fund.
“So I believe sincerely that we must have a professional look when we administer this fund.”
The former Sports Minister’s remarks add to ongoing discussions about how the Sports Fund Bill should be implemented to ensure transparency, accountability and meaningful impact across Ghana’s sporting landsca
