The United Kingdom’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, Mr. Alastair Long, today paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, in Accra, as part of a broader push to deepen economic and diplomatic cooperation between the UK and Ghana, with a particular focus on sports and recreation.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, comes during Long’s first official visit to Ghana since he was appointed His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa in June 2026 — a role in which he previously served as Deputy and Acting Trade Commissioner between 2019 and 2022. The visit also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and the annual UK-Ghana Trade and Investment Summit.
A Focus on Sports as a Bridge Between Nations
Mr. Long expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and paid tribute to Ghana’s rich sporting heritage. “I am honored to be here today. The United Kingdom values its longstanding relationship with Ghana, especially in areas that promote unity, health, and community development through sports,” he said.
He outlined the UK’s interest in supporting Ghana’s sports sector through investment, technical training, and the sharing of best practices, citing ongoing initiatives and a desire to explore new avenues for collaboration — particularly in sports infrastructure development and youth empowerment programs.
Long, who was educated at Clare College, University of Cambridge, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, brings deep knowledge of Africa to the role, having held senior diplomatic and trade positions across the Middle East and North Africa since joining the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in 2002.
Ghana’s Sporting Ambitions and Infrastructure Challenge
Minister Kofi Iddie Adams, who was nominated by President John Dramani Mahama in January 2025 to head the Sports and Recreation Ministry, highlighted Ghana’s achievements in football, athletics, and other sporting disciplines. A Member of Parliament for the Buem Constituency and a former National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress, Adams emphasized the importance of international cooperation in nurturing local talent.
He underscored the potential for joint ventures, especially in organizing exchange programs for young people to receive fundamental training and experience, and in improving sports facilities for young athletes.
The Minister was candid about the state of Ghana’s existing sporting infrastructure. “Lack of maintenance has rendered most sporting facilities in Ghana inappropriate for hosting tournaments,” he said. “You need a modern arena with well-equipped facilities that is fit for any event at any given time.”
His assessment aligns with widespread concerns about the deteriorating condition of Ghana’s stadiums. The Essipong Sports Stadium, constructed for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, has seen no significant rehabilitation in 17 years, with extensive deterioration across roofing, washrooms, seating, and critical service areas. Similar issues have been reported at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Tema Sports Stadium, and even the Accra Sports Stadium.
Government’s Ambitious Stadium Construction Plans
Adams disclosed that the government plans to commence the building of new stadiums across the country. “The plan is to start small and then move to bigger events,” he stated. According to recent announcements, the government has revised its initial plan to construct six new stadiums to ten, with the additional facilities targeting newly created regions including Oti, Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, North East, and Western North. President Mahama has confirmed that budgetary allocations have already been made for the construction of ten stadia.
“We want to, over the next few years, have at least five stadia in this country that can host CAF competitions properly,” President Mahama said during a recent inspection of the Ho Sports Stadium, which is set to be redeveloped into a modern multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex.
The Minister noted that when completed, these facilities would enable Ghana to host major tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He also highlighted that Ghana has already won the bid to host the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 — a tournament that will be held during the year Ghana celebrates 70 years of independence. It will be the second time Ghana hosts the U-20 AFCON, having previously staged the competition in 1999, when the Black Satellites lifted the trophy on home soil.
A Growing Sports Partnership
The courtesy call builds on a series of recent UK-Ghana engagements in the sports sector. In November 2025, the inaugural UK-Ghana Sports Business Forum was held with support from the National Sports Authority and the Duke of Edinburgh, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation in sports development, leadership, and innovation.
More recently, Cambridge University’s rugby league team toured Ghana in July 2026, reflecting the growing relationship between Ghanaian rugby league and one of England’s oldest sporting institutions. The Ghana Football Association has also launched a talent identification program in the UK, supported by the Ghana High Commission, aimed at scouting UK-born Ghanaian players for future national teams.
Economic Context
The UK and Ghana share a substantial trading relationship, with total trade in goods and services reaching £1.5 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2025 — a 5.7% increase from the previous year. UK exports to Ghana amounted to £888 million, while the stock of UK foreign direct investment in Ghana stood at £2.8 billion at the end of 2023.
Long reiterated the UK’s commitment to strengthening these diplomatic and economic ties, emphasizing that sports could serve as a powerful bridge between nations. “We look forward to working closely with Ghana in this exciting journey,” he said.
Looking Ahead
As Ghana prepares to host the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and pursues its ambitious stadium construction agenda, the partnership with the UK — spanning infrastructure investment, technical training, and youth development — could prove instrumental in revitalizing the country’s sporting ecosystem.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism about the future of UK-Ghana collaboration in sports and recreation, with concrete follow-up discussions expected in the coming months.
