Ghana’s Parliament, during a Parliamentary sitting, has passed the long-awaited Ghana Sports Fund Bill, marking a significant milestone in efforts to establish sustainable and structured financing for sports development across the country.
The landmark legislation, championed by Minister of Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams, creates a dedicated Sports Development Fund designed to address chronic funding challenges that have long hampered the sector, particularly in disciplines beyond football.
The bill, which underwent extensive reviews by Cabinet, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney-General’s Office, and other stakeholders, received bipartisan support during multiple readings and debates in the House.
It establishes a multi-source, performance-driven fund expected to mobilize billions of Ghana Cedis annually through statutory allocations, sports betting levies, lotteries, gate proceeds, sponsorships, grants, donations, and government appropriations.
Key objectives of the fund include supporting athlete welfare, upgrading sports infrastructure, promoting grassroots programs, and enhancing talent identification nationwide. An independent governing board will oversee its operations, ensuring transparency and accountability while aligning with the forthcoming National Sports Policy.
This development aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s administration’s vision to reposition sports as a strategic tool for national development, moving beyond a medal-focused approach to broader institutional and financial reforms.
Stakeholders and sports enthusiasts have welcomed the passage as a transformative step poised to elevate Ghana’s performance in regional and international competitions, with expectations for swift implementation to benefit emerging talents and lesser-funded disciplines.