Nominee for Minister Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has outlined a series of pressing challenges facing Ghana’s sports sector.

He emphasised the need for increased funding, improved infrastructure, and better training for coaches and technical staff.

During his vetting on Thursday, January 30, he stated that addressing these issues is critical for the growth of sports in the country.

“Funding is a major challenge,” he admitted.

“Without the necessary financial support, our athletes, teams, and sporting institutions will always struggle to compete at the highest level. We need to find sustainable ways of funding sports, whether through government support, private sector partnerships, or sponsorship deals.”

Beyond funding, poor infrastructure and lack of renovation of existing sports facilities are also major concerns.

“There are stadiums and training centres that have been left to deteriorate over time. If we are serious about producing world-class athletes, then we must make sure they have the right facilities to train and compete,” he stated.

Another issue the nominee highlighted is the technical competence of individuals in charge of coaching and athlete development. “

The reality is that some of the people handling our sports do not have the necessary skills,” he noted.

“Yes, it’s good to have former athletes take up coaching roles, but playing the game and coaching it are two different things. If they lack the right knowledge, then they cannot bring out the best in our athletes.”

To address this, Kofi Adams intends to establish a structured training and certification system to upgrade the skills of local coaches and technical staff.

“We need to train and improve our coaches through the college system that we are going to put in place. This will ensure that those guiding our athletes have the right expertise and can compete with the best internationally,” he explained.

He also expressed his commitment to identifying and nurturing young sporting talents early through scholarship programs and structured learning opportunities.

“We want to give scholarships and educational opportunities to young athletes who show promise. If we identify them early and give them the right support, they will have a better chance of excelling on the global stage,” he stated.

Kofi Adams’ vision for Ghanaian sports hinges on investment, infrastructure, and education.

By addressing these challenges, he believes the country can become a dominant force in African and global sports.