Constituency Games will take Mahama’s ‘Reset Ghana sports agenda’ to every community – Samson Deen

Samson Deen, Chair of the National Sports Authority's Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Committee, has announced that President John Dramani Mahama's proposed Constituency Games will be a key part of Ghana's Reset Ghana sports agenda. Deen believes the nationwide initiative will bring organised sport, talent identification and development opportunities to communities across Ghana, beyond the major cities.

Speaking at the committee's inauguration, Deen stated that the games could provide a structured pathway for talented athletes from the community level to regional and national competitions. The proposal has received support from the Office of the President, with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation tasked to coordinate the programme.

The initiative aims to support several government priorities, including grassroots talent identification, scholarships, sports academies, and pathways into national teams. It is also expected to provide opportunities for women, girls, athletes with disabilities, and those in sports other than football. A national digital talent database is proposed to monitor athletes' performances and development.

Former national athletes are encouraged to participate as coaches, scouts, mentors, and administrators. The games could also create economic opportunities within communities, generating business for various services and training young people in various roles related to the events. Media involvement is also emphasized, with local media teams encouraged to document athletes and promote community competitions.

Corporate Ghana is urged to view the games as a commercial and social-impact platform. Transparency and accountability are stressed as essential for the programme's success, with calls for clear competition regulations, financial reporting, athlete safeguarding, and anti-doping education. The programme's success will require collaboration between various stakeholders, including the Presidency, Ministry of Sports and Recreation, National Sports Authority, Regional Coordinating Councils, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, Ghana Education Service, national sports federations, traditional authorities, corporations, development partners, educational institutions, and the media.