By Issah Olegor
The efforts to reform and strengthen sports financing entered a new phase last week with the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Ghana Sports Fund, a landmark initiative established to provide sustainable and accountable funding for sports development nationwide.
The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, officially swore in the 11-member board over the weekend, marking the beginning of the Fund’s operational journey under the Sports Fund Act, 2024 (Act 1159).
The newly constituted board is chaired by Professor Karyoe Anin-Wright and includes some of Ghana’s most respected sports and finance personalities. Among them is three-time world boxing champion and Hall of Fame legend Azumah Nelson, whose presence reflects the Fund’s intention to draw on both sporting excellence and national inspiration.
Also serving on the board is Ernest Thompson, an investment banker and former member of the Black Stars Management Committee, bringing critical expertise in fund management and financial governance.
Dr David Kofi Wuaku has been appointed as the Fund’s Administrator, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day processing of applications and disbursements.
The board further includes representation from key state institutions, reinforcing its national scope and oversight.
The National Sports Authority is represented by its Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, while the Ministry of Sports and Recreation is represented by its Chief Director, Wilhelmina Asamoah.
The Ministry of Finance has nominated Duah Alhassan Oteng as Technical Adviser, and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs is represented by Deborah Adei Djanie, Director of Human Resource Management and Development.
With the board now in place, attention has shifted to the most pressing questions within the sporting community: who benefits from the Fund, how applications will be processed, and when support can be expected.
According to Minister Kofi Adams, the Ghana Sports Fund represents a decisive shift in how sports are prioritised and financed within Ghana’s broader national development agenda.
The Fund was created to bridge the persistent gap between limited government budget allocations and the growing investment needs of sports, which has historically relied heavily on ad hoc benevolent support from philanthropists and private sponsors.
The Sports Fund Act clearly outlines eligible beneficiaries across the sports value chain. National athletes qualify for support, as do retired national athletes whose welfare remains a concern of the state.
Federations and associations in good standing with the National Sports Authority are also eligible, ensuring that organised sporting bodies can access resources for training, competitions and development programmes.
Additionally, the board retains discretionary authority to approve other persons or entities that align with the Fund’s objectives, allowing flexibility in addressing emerging needs.
Accessing the Fund requires a formal application submitted directly to the Fund Administrator in the prescribed manner and format. Once an application is received, the Administrator is mandated by law to respond within ten days, either approving the request and notifying the applicant in writing or refusing it with clear reasons provided.
Applicants who are dissatisfied with the Administrator’s decision have the right to seek a review by the Governing Board within 30 days. If still unresolved, the matter may be escalated to the Minister, who must communicate a final decision within 14 days.
The Ministry says the Fund is designed to correct longstanding concerns about accountability in sports financing. In the past, special accounts were often opened in times of need to receive donations, but this approach was criticised as inconsistent, lacking transparency and failing to support long-term planning.
The Ghana Sports Fund is therefore expected to centralise support, improve accountability, and provide trend analysis for future sports investment decisions.
Beyond competition funding, the Fund is also expected to play a broader welfare role, including managing athlete incentives, insurance coverage, and welfare packages.
Ultimately, the initiative is aimed at reducing over-reliance on government allocations and creating a sustainable system that supports both elite performance and grassroots sports development across the country.
