President John Dramani Mahama has made a passionate appeal to corporate bodies to throw their weight behind the newly established Ghana Sports Fund, describing it as a critical partnership for national development rather than a charitable endeavor.
Speaking at an event to launch the initiative, the President underscored the vast economic potential of the sports industry, emphasizing its ability to create jobs, drive investment, and project the nation’s image on the global stage.
“Sports today influences global markets, stories and media rights, youth employment, creative industry, and investment flows,” President Mahama stated. He argued that for Ghana to compete and achieve excellence internationally, a deliberate and sustainable funding model is non-negotiable.
“No country achieves sporting excellence without deliberate funding systems,” he added. “I invite corporate Ghana to view this, not as charity, but as a partnership in national development.”
The Ghana Sports Fund has been established to provide a consistent and sustainable financial base for sports development across the country. A key objective of the fund is to reduce the over-reliance on central government funding, which has historically been a challenge for sports associations and athletes.
Beyond infrastructure and program development, the fund is also designed to manage athlete incentives, provide comprehensive insurance coverage, and enhance overall welfare packages for sportsmen and women. This holistic approach aims to secure the well-being of athletes and create an enabling environment for them to excel.
The President’s call to action places corporate entities at the heart of a new strategy to revitalize Ghanaian sports, framing their contributions as an investment in the nation’s socio-economic future.
