The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has called on the incoming president of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) to make grassroots sports development a central focus of their tenure.
Speaking on GHOneTV studio for the Road to the Olympic House Roundtable Manifesto Discussion monitored by Kumasimail, Adams emphasized the vital role of the GOC in managing a broad spectrum of sports disciplines in Ghana, including responsibility for the national under-23 teams.
He emphasized “GOC is, for me, a very big platform. The GOC should be leading the charge because it manages many sports, including football. If for nothing else, they are responsible for our U23 teams, and they oversee virtually every facet of sports in the country. If they organize themselves, focus, and look at grassroots sports, they can make a real impact. For any sport to reach the Olympic level, you must ensure investment begins right from the grassroots”
He stressed that for Ghanaian athletes to reach Olympic standards, investment must begin at the grassroots level, stating, “Whoever becomes the next Ghana Olympic Committee President must focus on investing in grassroots sports”
The Minister acknowledged that the GOC alone may not have the capacity to provide all necessary infrastructure.
He advocated for robust collaboration between the GOC, government, and corporate partners to maximize available resources and opportunities.
“Proper collaboration with government and corporates will enable them to utilize the strength and opportunity they have to mobilize what must be mobilized so we invest appropriately,” he said
Reflecting on the past, Adams lamented the decline in multi-purpose sports facilities in schools, which previously supported a variety of disciplines such as basketball, volleyball, and tennis.
He called for renewed efforts to protect and restore such spaces, highlighting the need for cooperation among the GOC, National Sports Authority, Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Ministry of Local Government, and Ministry of Education.
He said “When we were growing up in those days, most schools had multi-purpose pitches featuring basketball courts, volleyball courts, and lawn tennis facilities. These spaces could be easily redesigned to accommodate various sports.
“Today, however, many of these areas have been repurposed. I expect the GOC to collaborate with the NSA, the Sports Ministry, the Local Government Ministry, and other relevant ministries to protect these vital spaces”.
Adams also noted the current Minister for Education’s passion for sports, suggesting that the present government is well-positioned to advance Ghana’s sporting ambitions.
He remarked “Fortunately, we have a minister who not only owns a football club but actively participates in the sport himself. Among the most common items found in Honorable Haruna’s vehicles are football boots, search any one or two of his cars and you’ll likely discover boots and other training gear. His genuine passion for sports positions us in an ideal era to propel Ghana forward significantly”.
