Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has commended the Ministry of Sports and Recreation for its significant institutional reforms and fiscal discipline during an official working visit to the sector ministry. The visit, which forms part of a broader executive strategy to bridge the coordination gap between the Presidency and various ministries, saw the Vice President engage with the sector minister, Kofi Iddie Adams, and heads of agencies.
During the briefing, it was revealed that the government successfully cleared over USD 904,000 in salary arrears owed to Black Stars coaches and technical staff in May 2025, a move credited with restoring contractual discipline and national credibility within the sporting fraternity.
A major highlight of the ministry’s report was the operationalization of the Ghana Sports Fund, following the passage of Act 1159 by Parliament in December 2025. This legislative milestone is expected to provide sustainable funding for sports infrastructure, grassroots development, and athlete welfare. Kofi Adams also detailed impressive fiscal reforms that have reduced the costs of Black Stars international assignments by over 35 percent, bringing expenditure down from USD 2 million to approximately USD 1.3 million per two-match window through performance-linked spending.
Additionally, the ministry reported on safety audits and the deployment of a specialized Sports Police Unit following security concerns in the domestic league, alongside the introduction of Ghana’s first national combat sports medical and safety protocol for the boxing sector.
In her response, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the importance of maintaining safe sporting environments and prioritizing human relations and wellness across all disciplines. She urged the ministry to adopt a disciplined quarterly implementation plan to ensure accountability and long-term success. While acknowledging the ministry’s infrastructure goals—including the planned commencement of three new stadia in 2026 and the renovation of existing facilities—the Vice President encouraged the leadership to explore innovative funding approaches beyond traditional appeals.
She reaffirmed the Presidency’s support for the ministry as it prepares Ghana for major upcoming international competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, noting that sports remains a vital platform for national image-building and opportunity.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
