THE Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL) and Metro TV have joined forces to drive policy change initiatives aimed at influencing the development of sports in Ghana with the creation of a platform that brings together relevant stakeholders and networks to dialogue on the best policies direction and global best practices for Ghana sports development.

Starting with the maiden Graphic Sports--Metro TV Sports Forum, a quarterly thought leadership series scheduled to take place on September 18 on the Metro TV premises in Accra; it seeks to bring together key stakeholders in the sporting fraternity for a round-table dialogue on issues affecting sports in the country, as well as provide practical solutions to the challenges identified.

It will be held on the theme: State of Ghana Sports -- Challenges and the Future".

At the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the premises of GCGL yesterday, the Managing Director of GCGL, Mr Ato Afful, said the Graphic Sports, Ghana's leading sports newspaper over the last 35 years, was seeking to use the platform created by the two media giants to champion the country’s sports agenda and help unleash the full potential of the industry.

He noted that the quarterly thought leadership series would bring together experts and stakeholders in sports to deliberate on particular topics and thematic areas such as sports marketing, sponsorship, investment and financial management, infrastructural development requirements, sports development planning, media in sports, sports officiating, among others, intended to create an enabling sports ecosystem, create jobs and bring out the best from Ghanaian sports stars and teams.

Mr Afful entreated corporate entities in the country to support the Graphic Sports-Metro TV Sports Forum initiative to help address the challenges facing Ghana sports.

“This partnership should be a stepping stone to great things to come in the future as we look to rescue Ghana sports from its dwindling state through dialogue.

“We are looking at bringing together stakeholders and experts to deliberate on topics which are of beneficial to the sports industry in the country,” he said.

The Managing Director of Ignite Media Group, owners of Metro TV, Mr Kayode Akintemi, explained that his outfit which was also famed for delivering strong sports content shared similar objectives as the Graphic Sports and, therefore, agreed to create a influential platform where experts, sports federations and other critical stakeholders would discuss critical issues and put together policy documents that would guide the development of sports in Ghana.

“When the idea came to use, we realised that it could help us bring out ideas to be implemented to help our sportsmen and women in the country.

“We believe that the ideas generated at this forum when put to use could make Ghana a powerhouse in sports, as well as well as open the eyes of administrators and athletes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Editor of Graphic Sports, Mr Maurice Quansah, said the topic for the maiden edition was very appropriate as it would help lay bare the current state of sports in Ghana and proffer workable solutions towards changing the face of the industry.

”Everything is set for us to try to bring out issues pertaining in our sporting industry and I believe with the right stakeholders and experts we can achieve our aim of contributing to the livelihoods of our sportsmen and women,” he said.