The Ghana Sports Fund has taken a significant step towards strengthening its institutional framework and ensuring long-term sustainability following a two-day strategic training and engagement session sponsored by GCB Bank PLC at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.

The engagement brought together the Fund’s Board, Administration and technical team in what officials described as a practical, forward-looking collaboration aimed not merely at providing financial services, but at building a structured, investment-ready sports financing institution for Ghana.

Board Signals Commitment to Measurable Impact

Board Chairperson Prof. Koryoe Anim reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to delivering visible transformation across Ghana’s sporting landscape.

According to her, the Administrator and staff have been working diligently to mobilise resources and close critical funding gaps, stressing that the Fund’s success depends on strong partnerships across government, corporate Ghana, private entities and development stakeholders.

“The Fund cannot function in isolation,” she emphasised. “Once we actually mobilise resources, we will implement the reforms and infrastructure improvements that Ghanaians expect to see.”

On accountability, Prof. Anim underscored that progress will not be measured by policy documents alone. A comprehensive Strategic Plan developed by the Administration contains measurable benchmarks and performance indicators to guide the Board’s oversight.

“Success will be visible — in improved facilities, stronger athlete development pathways, better governance systems and enhanced performance outcomes,” she stated.

She described sports as a unifying national force and expressed confidence that the Board would uphold its mandate to expand opportunities and elevate Ghana’s global sporting competitiveness.

Administrator: Partnership Goes Beyond Banking

Administrator Dr David Kofi Wuaku described the collaboration with GCB Bank as exceeding expectations.

“They prepared ahead of time to guide us, support us and collaborate with us for mutual benefit, particularly in our globalisation drive,” he said.

Dr Wuaku noted that the partnership extends beyond routine banking services, encompassing advisory support on investment structures, institutional systems and long-term sustainability frameworks.

He positioned sports development as a strategic national investment.

“Sports is preventive healthcare. When we invest in sports, medical bills reduce. Beyond that, it is a source of wealth creation for the nation and the continent,” he explained.

According to him, a well-developed sports ecosystem could attract international athletes, investors and professionals to Ghana, positioning the country as a regional sports hub.

He issued a broader call for partnerships, urging telecommunications companies, financial institutions, business leaders and high-net-worth individuals to support the initiative.

“This is a global call. Everyone is welcome to support,” he said.

Deputy Administrator Commends Practical Engagement

Deputy Administrator Simon Appiah praised the structure and delivery of the training sessions, describing them as interactive, practical and current.

“They made it practical. Everyone participated. This is the kind of engagement that sharpens both sides and prepares us for the future,” he said.

He commended both the GCB facilitation team and the Fund’s staff for their dedication throughout the intensive two-day programme.

“We believe we have a great team to work with, and we look forward to even greater performance ahead,” he added.

GCB: Building Systems, Not Dependency

From the banking side, LEAS representative Linus Kumi outlined a structured institutional support framework aimed at strengthening the Fund’s governance and financial discipline.

According to Mr Kumi, GCB’s support includes:

Assisting with the development of an Investment Policy Statement (IPS)

Designing a funding roadmap and stakeholder engagement framework

Establishing measurable impact metrics to track grassroots and elite sports outcomes

Providing digital banking and reporting tools to enhance transparency and efficiency

He stressed that the collaboration is grounded in knowledge transfer.

“Our goal is not to create dependency,” he stated. “It is to equip the Fund with the technical competence, governance discipline and strategic clarity to operate as a credible, self-sustaining institution.”

He defined sustainability for the Ghana Sports Fund around three pillars: diversified and predictable funding sources, strong governance and accountability, and professional financial stewardship that preserves and grows capital.

By strengthening these pillars, he said, the Fund is being positioned not merely as a funding conduit but as a structured, investment-ready institution capable of supporting Ghana’s sports ecosystem for generations.

A Turning Point for Sports Development

Stakeholders described the engagement at the Alisa Hotel as a defining moment for the Ghana Sports Fund — signalling a shift from aspiration to structured execution.

With governance strengthened, funding strategies clarified and institutional capacity enhanced, the partnership reflects a broader ambition: to make sports development in Ghana sustainable, economically viable and globally competitive.

If successfully implemented, the collaboration between the Ghana Sports Fund and GCB Bank could redefine how sports are financed, managed and leveraged as a driver of national development.