As Ghana navigates a critical juncture in its history, the new government faces the daunting task of implementing reforms to revitalize the nation.
A crucial, yet often neglected, aspect of this effort is addressing the chronic issues hindering the country’s sports development.
While President John Dramani Mahama, during his campaign ahead of the 2024 general elections, unveiled numerous policies aimed at improving the sports sector, persistent challenges threaten to overshadow these efforts and demand more comprehensive solutions.
This piece highlights five critical problems in the sports sector that require urgent attention to transform Ghana’s sporting landscape.
Revitalizing grassroots sports
Ghana’s sporting landscape is facing a crisis. The decline of nationalistic grassroots sports development programs has led to a downturn in the country’s sporting fortunes.
Once a powerhouse in African sports, Ghana is now struggling to produce talented athletes and competitive teams.
The root cause of this decline is the lack of investment in grassroots sports development. For decades, Ghana’s sporting authorities have focused on elite-level competitions, neglecting the critical foundation of grassroots programs like the “INTERCO,” Milo Games, and GUSA Games.
This has resulted in a shortage of talented young athletes and a lack of competitiveness in national teams.
To reverse this trend, the government must adopt a new approach by unveiling an ambitious plan to revitalize the country’s sporting landscape.
This plan should focus on top disciplines such as football, athletics, boxing, basketball, and volleyball, which have traditionally showcased Ghanaian talent and potential.
An investment strategy should be established for grassroots development programs, talent identification, and international partnerships to nurture talent at the grassroots level.
Take a radical decision on the GFA: Dissolve and risk FIFA ban
President Mahama’s government faces a daunting decision: whether to dissolve the embattled Ghana Football Association (GFA) and risk incurring the wrath of FIFA.
Dissolving the GFA would likely lead to a FIFA ban, preventing Ghanaian teams from participating in international competitions.
However, it would also provide an opportunity for a radical reset of the organization and the country’s football sector as a whole.
The current state of Ghanaian football is far from its glorious past. The Black Stars, once a force to be reckoned with on the continent, have struggled to make an impact in recent tournaments. The domestic league has also suffered, with low attendance, poor infrastructure, and a lack of competitiveness.
Despite promises of reform, the GFA continues to struggle with governance and transparency issues. A reconstituted GFA could be established with a focus on transparency, accountability, and good governance. This decision, however, requires careful consideration.
Setting up a Sports Development Fund
To further accelerate the growth and development of Ghana’s sports sector, the government should establish a Sports Development Fund. The 2023 African Games highlighted a major problem in Ghanaian sports: some athletes were required to fund themselves while competing for the country.
The Sports Development Fund would address these issues by providing critical support for sports infrastructure development, grassroots programs, talent identification and development initiatives, and high-performance training programs.
This initiative would bridge the resource gap, unlock the full potential of Ghanaian sportsmen and women, and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development while enhancing its reputation as a sporting nation.
Address the stagnation of the Ghana Premier League (GPL)
The Ghana Premier League (GPL) has suffered significant setbacks in recent years, including the lack of a headline sponsor, no dedicated broadcaster, and poor organization. These issues have led to inadequate funding, declining standards, and reduced fan interest.
Reviving the GPL is essential for Ghana’s sports development. As part of its comprehensive strategy to transform the sports sector, the government must introduce financial incentives and regulatory reforms to enhance the league’s viability and competitiveness.
The government can offer tax incentives to clubs and sponsors to encourage investment while instituting a mandatory minimum wage for players to ensure fair compensation and protect their welfare.
Additionally, the government should facilitate sponsorship partnerships between the league and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to leverage their resources and expertise, fostering a sustainable and vibrant sporting ecosystem that benefits players, clubs, and the nation as a whole.
Establish a plan for maintaining sports facilities
Ghana has made strides in building sports infrastructure, with facilities like the Cape Coast Stadium and the Borteyman Sports Complex showcasing progress.
However, the country lacks a culture of regular maintenance, as evidenced by the ban on the Baba Yara Stadium by CAF in September due to its poor condition.
President Mahama promised during his campaign to refurbish Ghana’s national stadia but must go a step further by ensuring these facilities are well maintained.
Dilapidated infrastructure and inadequate facilities not only affect the quality of events but also pose safety risks.
The government must collaborate with the National Sports Authority to invest in upgrading existing facilities, installing modern amenities, and establishing regular maintenance schedules.
Prioritizing a robust maintenance culture will involve allocating resources and expertise to the National Sports Authority, emphasizing preventive maintenance to ensure stadiums, training facilities, and equipment are regularly repaired and upgraded.
By tackling these challenges head-on, the Mahama government can revitalize Ghana’s sports sector and unlock its vast potential.
With a clear vision, effective implementation, and sustained commitment, Ghana can achieve sports excellence and inspire a new generation of athletes and sports enthusiasts.
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