Ghana Sports Fund can replicate GETFund’s impact with sustained political commitment – Kofi Adams

Ghana's Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has called on stakeholders to provide the Ghana Sports Fund with the necessary institutional and financial support to become a significant source of sustainable investment in the country's sports sector. Drawing parallels with the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), Adams argued that a committed financing mechanism can catalyze national development.

During a stakeholder consultation on the Ghana Sports Fund Regulations, the Minister emphasized that the success of the proposed funding framework hinges on the continued backing of institutions and stakeholders beyond its inception. He recalled GETFund's modest beginnings and its eventual growth into a crucial source of financing for tertiary education, underscoring how allocations exceeding GH¢11 billion following its uncapping demonstrated the potential of dedicated funding mechanisms.

Adams stressed that the Ghana Sports Fund must be given an equivalent opportunity to flourish as a robust national institution, capable of backing Ghana's sports aspirations. However, he stressed that this necessitates more than just legislation; it demands a concerted effort to unite government agencies, the private sector, financial institutions, and other resource providers.

Fragmented institutional arrangements were identified as a significant hurdle to sports financing, prompting a call for increased collaboration among relevant ministries and agencies. Adams also encouraged stakeholders to learn from successful models like South Africa, where lottery-based funding has become a vital pillar of sports financing.

By translating the legal establishment of the Ghana Sports Fund into a fully functional and adequately resourced institution, the Minister underscored the importance of securing consistent financial commitments and delivering tangible improvements across Ghana's sporting landscape.