The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled ten key promises for the sports sector in their 2024 manifesto, which will guide their campaign in the lead-up to the December 7 general elections.
The major highlights of the NDC manifesto were on the ailing economy, employment, agriculture, cocoa sector, healthcare, education, sports, governance, judiciary, and entertainment, among others.
With regards to sports, the NDC Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, promised to help nurture sports talents by offering them scholarships to ensure they have successful career.
The John Dramani Mahama-led party also stated that they are committed to constructing sports stadia across all regions of Ghana.
The party’s sports agenda emphasizes significant investments and development in the various areas:
1. Support the development of Colts, Division One and Two and the Ghana Premier League by augmenting the salaries of all registered footballers with allowances.
2. Undertake emergency refurbishment of pitches, tracks and other facilities at our national stadia in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast and Sekondi to meet FIFA standards.
3. Pursue our long-standing policy of establishing international standard stadia in all regions.
4. Build more multi-purpose sports facilities to promote regional sporting events and inter-school competitions as part of our talent development policy.
5. Ensure equitable investments in other national teams, such as women’s football teams, parasports teams, juvenile teams and lesser-known sports.
6. Upgrade the UEW Sports College into a modern sports university offering training programmes in sports, related medicine, science and sports management/ administration at campuses around Ghana.
7. Establish Sports Centres of Excellence in the northern, middle and southern zones in collaboration with existing universities and the private sector.
8. Support national athletes more consistently to compete internationally and develop post-competition careers and pension schemes to cater for national athletes.
9. Offer scholarships to promising sports talents and invest in the establishment of sports academies in partnership with the private sector.
10. Support retired sports personalities in pursuing other sports-related careers after an active sporting life.
JNA/AE