The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, says his outfit has shifted its focus on sports to the economic benefits from the usual promotion which was the mantra.

Speaking at the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) 47th Awards night, Ussif noted that we "...are in an era where prowess in competitive sports has largely superseded any honour that a country may achieve via warfare."

The Member of Parliament for the Yagaba/Kubori constituency said that, " it is an addition to the numerous benefits that participation in sports has brought and continues to bring to our socio-economic development.

"In this regard, the Ministry has chosen to shift its focus from sports promotion to sports for economic growth and development," he stated.

"Many nations have benefited from the growth of sports across the globe. Its impact ranges from the
athlete to the media and from the average paraphernalia merchant to the pure water vendor.

"Sports is a multibillion-dollar sector that, when correctly positioned, will have a significant impact on our
country's GDP," he noted.

"Aside [from] the financial benefit sports might bring when well structured," he said, "it[sports] also enhances social cohesion, general healthy wellbeing, improvement in education and infrastructural
development among others."

The Minister was at the awards ceremony which honoured outstanding Ghanaian athletes.