Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) presidential hopeful Richard Akpokavie has launched a bold and far-reaching manifesto designed to overhaul Ghana’s sports from the ground up and catapult the nation to continental leadership.

Titled the “National Sports Federations Manifesto,” the document sets out an ambitious vision to elevate athletes, empower national federations and position Ghana as a powerhouse of sporting excellence, innovation and tourism on the African continent.

Unveiled at a symbolic ceremony in Accra after extensive consultations with athletes, coaches, federation leaders and grassroots advocates, the manifesto places athletes firmly at the centre of a transformative agenda.

At its core is a comprehensive athlete welfare programme, incorporating elite-level training, mental health support, education pathways and career development beyond retirement from sport. 

It is matched by a strategic roadmap to strengthen federations through improved governance, sustainable funding and high-performance systems.

“We are not just dreaming of medals; we’re building a system where every athlete has the tools to succeed, and every federation thrives,” Mr Akpokavie told attendees.

“This is a collective ambition to transform Ghana’s sports with integrity, purpose and unity.”

One of the manifesto’s most compelling features is the “Grassroots to Podium Vision”—a long-term national framework aimed at identifying and nurturing talent from the remotest villages to the global stage.

Central to this plan is the introduction of the Local Olympic Games—a nationwide biennial multi-sport event intended to uncover hidden talent, foster community spirit and entrench Olympic values at the grassroots.

The campaign also proposes a more strategic use of Olympic Solidarity Funds, redirecting financial support directly to where it matters most—athletes and federations. The proposal includes covering international competition fees and resourcing rural training camps, with a promise to ensure “every cedi counts.”
Mr Akpokavie also stressed the urgent need to commercialise Ghana’s sporting potential, calling for the country to harness its athletic talent as an engine for economic growth and global recognition.
With the GOC election congress slated for Saturday, April 26, Akpokavie’s bold agenda has set him apart as a formidable contender. He is expected to face strong competition from a former Ghana Golf Association president, Mike Aggrey, who has also declared his candidacy.