Kofi Adams, Minister of Sports and Recreation-designate
The Minister of Sports and Recreation-designate, Kofi Adams, appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, 2025, for his vetting and potential approval.
However, after an extensive vetting session for the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations-designate, Sam Nartey George, the Buem Constituency MP was subjected to just 39 minutes of questioning.
Following this brief session, the panel wished him well as he awaited parliamentary approval for his new role.
Despite acknowledging his lack of a direct background in sports, Adams was able to outline his vision for the sector. This article highlights five key takeaways from his vetting.
Restoring Ghana’s sporting glory
Adams’ first commitment was to revamp sports in the country. Citing the Black Stars’ poor performance in 2024 and the general decline of various sporting disciplines, he vowed to work tirelessly to restore Ghana’s past successes.
“In other sports where we used to excel, it’s unfortunate that just yesterday, there was a draw for the Africa Cup of Nations, and Ghana was not featured. We will work very hard to bring back the glory days,” he told the panel.
Enhancing the Ghana Premier League and football development
The Ghana Premier League has experienced a significant decline in recent years, with a lack of sponsorships forcing many players to seek opportunities abroad.
In response, Adams outlined a multi-faceted approach to improving football and the broader sports landscape in Ghana.
He emphasized plans to upgrade the Winneba Sports College to improve the training of technical professionals, including coaches, referees, and sports scientists.
Additionally, he pledged to introduce stipends to retain domestic talent, ensuring that Ghanaian footballers have incentives to stay in the local league.
“We have discussed several challenges affecting our Premier League. We will modernize and elevate the Winneba Sports College to train technical professionals. We will also provide stipends to retain players,” he stated.
Improving maintenance culture in sports infrastructure
Ghana has made progress in developing sports infrastructure, with facilities such as the Cape Coast Stadium and the Borteyman Sports Complex standing as examples.
However, poor maintenance remains a persistent issue. The Baba Yara Stadium, for instance, was banned by CAF in September 2024 due to its deteriorating condition.
Adams pledged to address this problem, ensuring that sports facilities are properly maintained to prevent similar bans in the future.
“We will improve upon our maintenance culture. We will not allow any facility to deteriorate to the point of being banned from using it. With the minimal resources we have, we will ensure existing infrastructure is well-maintained while also building new ones,” he assured.
Diversify investment beyond football
For decades, football has dominated Ghana’s sports agenda, often at the expense of other disciplines. Previous sports ministers have allocated the bulk of resources to football, leaving other sports underfunded and underdeveloped.
Adams, however, expressed a commitment to changing this narrative. He pledged to invest in so-called “lesser-known sports,” demonstrating a broader vision for national sports development.
This approach, he argued, would unearth new talents, create alternative career pathways for athletes, and boost Ghana’s representation in international sporting events.
“We are going to focus more on sports that have been overlooked for too long,” Adams stated.
A pledge of commitment
Before concluding his vetting, Adams exuded confidence and determination, assuring Ghanaians, President John Dramani Mahama, and himself that he would not disappoint in his new role.
With high expectations from the public for meaningful reforms in the sports sector, Adams will be judged not just by his words but by his ability to implement policies that drive real progress, particularly in neglected areas.
“The majority are very happy about my nomination. I will not disappoint Ghanaians, I won’t disappoint President John Dramani Mahama, and I won’t disappoint myself,” he declared confidently.
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