President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to revitalising Ghana’s sports sector, announcing a comprehensive plan that includes the construction of seven modern stadiums and the creation of a Sports Development Fund.
Speaking at the Presidency in Accra on Saturday, where he also presented cheques of $50,000 each to Bibiani Gold Stars and Asante Kotoko to aid their campaigns in this year’s CAF inter-club competitions, the President said sports remained a unifying force for the nation and a strategic area of investment.
He said the Fund would be sustained by government allocations as well as corporate contributions to support football clubs both locally and on the continental stage. “Sports is not a waste of resources. When we invest in football, we are building unity, pride, and opportunities for our young people,” he stressed.
The President highlighted government’s ongoing efforts to cut waste and reduce the size of administration to free up resources for key investments, including sports. “We want every region to have a stadium that is fit for purpose,” he said, adding that the 2026 budget to be presented in November will make provisions for the construction of the new stadiums.
Beyond infrastructure, President Mahama noted that government had given each premier league club GH₵1 million at the start of the 2025/2026 season as part of measures to strengthen the domestic league. A stronger local league, he said, would feed into the Black Stars, improving Ghana’s competitiveness at the international level.
Turning to Kotoko and Gold Stars, who are representing Ghana in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively, President Mahama urged the players to remain disciplined, united, and focused on victory. “Football is about goals. Play to win and make the nation proud,” he charged.
The event brought together the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Eddie Adams, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, and NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah. Management and players of Asante Kotoko were present, while Gold Stars’ management attended without players, who were engaged in their CAF debut against Algeria’s JS Kabylie.
By combining financial support for clubs with long-term infrastructural investment, President Mahama signaled that Ghana’s sports renaissance would not only be about continental glory but also about nurturing future talent and building a stronger, united nation.
