The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, says legislation of Ghana's sports fund is not enough to drive growth in the sector without real financial commitment.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, 19 February, Mr Adams said passing the Sports Fund Bill must be matched with practical investment if Ghana is to unlock the economic potential of sport.

He made the remarks as the country prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The tournament, which begins in June, will be the Black Stars’ fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage.

Mr Adams said funding would be central to Ghana’s participation.

“Ghana has qualified for the World Cup; funding will be a key component for our participation and it is in that spirit, Speaker, I make this statement,” he said.

He warned that law alone cannot transform the industry.

“Legislation alone does not finance sports, commitment does. Globally, the sports industry exceeds $500 billion in value yet on our continent, sports contribute less than 0.5% to GDP in most countries - not because we lack talent, not because we lack passion, but because we have not yet built a financing system that matches our ambition.”

According to the minister, the proposed Ghana Sports Fund would provide a transparent and accountable framework to support infrastructure development, school and grassroots sport, elite athlete preparation, welfare systems and recreation.

“The Ghana Sports Fund provides us that system. It creates a transparent and accountable framework to support infrastructural development, school and grassroots sports, elite athlete preparation, welfare systems, and recreation,” he added.

Mr Adams also commended the National Investment Bank for donating 100,000 Ghana cedis to the fund, describing the gesture as a demonstration of leadership from the financial sector.

He said meaningful reform in Ghana’s sports industry would depend not only on Parliament passing the bill, but on sustained financial backing from both government and private institutions.