By Daniel Bampoe
Sammi Awuku, Member of Parliament for the Akuapem North Constituency, has urged the government to expand support for the newly established Ghana Sports Development Fund beyond individual contributions, emphasizing the role of the private sector in ensuring sustainability and long-term impact.
His comments came on Thursday on the floor of Parliament, following a statement by the Minister for Sports, Kofi Adams, on the passage of the Sports Development Fund and his personal donation of one month’s salary toward the upcoming World Cup campaign.
Commending the minister for leading by example, Sammi Awuku acknowledged Adams’ contribution as a demonstration of personal commitment.
“I commend the sports minister, Kofi Adams for his one-man donation. It fortifies the two-month contribution of my salary. By the end of proceedings, I believe he may even extend his contribution further, showing true leadership by example,” he stated.
While acknowledging the generosity of individual MPs and government officials, Sammi Awuku emphasized that donations alone cannot sustain the ambitions of Ghanaian sport.
Drawing on previous discussions surrounding the Sports Development Fund, he called on the minister to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Finance to design a framework that encourages participation from corporate Ghana.
He highlighted the potential for private sector contributions to complement parliamentary donations and public support, creating a robust funding model for sports infrastructure, development programs, and athlete support.
“This fund holds the potential to help our sports sector and fill the infrastructure gaps we currently face,” Sammi Awuku said.
He noted that contributions should come from all sectors of the economy, including farmers, bankers, insurance institutions, and cocoa farmers, to ensure a comprehensive national effort.
“It cannot be driven solely by individual donations. Expectations from the sports fraternity are high, and sustainable progress requires involvement from all stakeholders,” he added.
Sammi Awuku also called for increased public engagement, suggesting that media involvement and outreach to various stakeholders could help raise awareness and participation in the fund.
He concluded by reiterating his support for Minister Adams’ initiative and encouraging colleagues to collectively back the effort to strengthen Ghanaian sport.
The Sports Development Fund, recently passed by Parliament, aims to mobilize resources to improve sports infrastructure, enhance athlete preparation, and ensure Ghanaian teams have the support necessary to compete on the international stage, particularly at high-profile events such as the FIFA World Cup.
