Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, met with Mr. Abdulhadi Turus, President of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), at the organisation’s headquarters on 18th August 2025 in Ankara.
Mr. Turus briefed the Minister on YTB’s international education programmes, notably the Türkiye Scholarships, which since 2011 have supported more than 45,000 students globally.
He disclosed that in 2025 alone, YTB received 628 applications from Ghanaian students in areas such as agriculture, engineering, international trade, and economics.
He emphasised that scholarship placements can be tailored to the development priorities of partner countries, with additional support through Turkish language training and postgraduate opportunities.
Adams expressed appreciation for YTB’s contribution to Ghana’s human resource development, noting that Ghana–Türkiye relations, dating back to 1958, continue to grow through deliberate partnership.
He highlighted how YTB’s training programmes have strengthened Ghana’s pool of professionals, including interpreters and technical experts, who play a key role in advancing bilateral trade.
As Minister for Sports and Recreation, Adams also requested an expansion of scholarship opportunities into sports-related disciplines such as sports science, management, and recreation studies.
He explained that under the leadership of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the government is prioritising the revival of school sports, and that enhanced training opportunities in Türkiye will help Ghana develop the next generation of sports professionals.
In response, YTB agreed to expand scholarship slots to include more sports-related programmes, ensuring that Ghanaian students can benefit from advanced training in Türkiye’s universities.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to deepen educational and cultural cooperation, while aligning future scholarship programmes with Ghana’s national development priorities.
