Former president of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Jamaludeen A. Abdullah, Executive Assistant to former Minister of Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif, has refuted claims that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration failed to make significant investments in sports.
In a social media post, Jamaludeen outlined numerous achievements in the sports sector during the Akufo-Addo era, challenging assertions of neglect.
Abdullah, widely known as Jamal, revealed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports, under Mustapha Ussif’s leadership, allocated $3 million to the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
These funds, derived from Ghana’s 2022 World Cup prize money, supported renovation and development projects at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
He emphasized that this financial support was part of the Akufo-Addo government’s commitment to advancing Ghanaian football.
“Unlike the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, where the government retained all prize money, the Akufo-Addo administration allocated approximately $3 million to the GFA to enhance the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence. This aligns with the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) legacy of reinvesting World Cup earnings into football development, as seen under President Kufuor in 2006,” his post stated.
Abdullah also highlighted the government’s support for Ghana Premier League (GPL) clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the league’s suspension, the Akufo-Addo administration disbursed GH¢900,000, with each GPL club receiving GH¢50,000 to mitigate financial challenges—a pioneering initiative.
Additionally, he said women’s league players received monthly stipends through the Youth Employment Agency, and national team players, including the Black Queens, benefited from targeted support.
Read his full statement below:
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