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Kofi Iddie Adams, Ghana’s Sports and Recreation Minister Designate, yesterday faced the Parliamentary Vetting Committee following his nomination by President John Dramani Mahama.
The session covered a range of issues affecting Ghanaian sports, from football to infrastructure. Here are five key takeaways from his vetting;
Kofi Adams dismissed concerns about his lack of recognition in sports circles, asserting his readiness to take on the role. He assured Ghanaians of his commitment to success, stating, “I will not disappoint Ghanaians, and I will not disappoint His Excellency the President (John Mahama). I will deliver and won’t also disappoint myself.”
His appointment comes at a challenging time for Ghanaian sports, with the national football team, the Black Stars, struggling on the international stage after consecutive group-stage exits at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and missing qualification for the 2025 edition.
Adams pledged to redefine the role of the National Sports Authority (NSA) to ensure its effective operation as an intermediary between the Ministry and various sports federations. Highlighting its current limitations, he stated, “The challenge we have is the NSA which is the bridge, sometimes it’s not allowed to interface and deal with the GFA (Ghana Football Association), especially when it comes to Black Stars funding. We intend to make sure to restrategise such that NSA plays the role it is supposed to play.”
He also emphasised his intention not to be a Minister focused solely on the Black Stars, an issue that has plagued past administrations.
The Minister Designate revealed that discussions are underway to introduce financial support for players in the Ghana Premier League (GPL), addressing the issue of low wages that drive talent abroad. He stated, “We talked about giving them allowances so we can retain a number of our players. Some of them leave the shores of this country to play in war-torn countries just because their earnings are so low. The whole idea is to retain players by giving them stipends. We think it will go a long way to improve the league.”
If implemented, this policy could bolster the local league and curb the mass exodus of players seeking better opportunities overseas.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the quality of astro turfs built across the country, Adams pointed out safety concerns, citing a serious injury as an example of substandard construction. “I have some concerns about the astro turfs. Some of them, truly speaking, have not been constructed to standard. In one instance, it resulted in a very serious injury to the head of a player… so we will look at them, the ones that are not standard, in order to avoid some of these injuries. Maybe we don’t use them for football, but we can use them for other sports and recreational activities.”
The construction of community-based astro turfs was a flagship project under former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, but Adams’ comments suggest a potential policy shift towards ensuring higher standards.
Kofi Adams proposed a “reverse pyramid” strategy to enhance grassroots sports development, advocating for a strong foundation at the school level. “We will improve grassroots sports, and we are going to go back to the Inter Colleges days because you need to catch them and train them from that point. You don’t let them mature to a certain stage before you start investing in them.”
He further explained, “We want the reverse of the pyramid and make sure that the pyramid stands with the base being larger and broader. Then, as it picks when it becomes commercially viable, you reduce investment.”
High school sports in Ghana have suffered setbacks due to funding constraints and an inconsistent education curriculum, but Adams’ proposal suggests a renewed focus on youth development.
Looking ahead
If confirmed, Kofi Adams faces the significant challenge of revitalising Ghana’s sports sector. His proposed policies, including NSA restructuring, financial support for local footballers, and grassroots development, could bring much-needed change. However, their successful implementation remains to be seen.
