The Ministry of Sports and Recreation of Ghana is the government agency responsible for youth empowerment, sports development and recreation.
Mandate
Adhering to the provisions outlined in Sections 11 and 13 of the Civil Service Law of 1993 (PNDCL 327), the Ministry of Youth and Sports has been entrusted, under Executive Instrument (EI) 28 of 2017, with the responsibility of instigating and shaping policies related to Youth and Sports. Moreover, the ministry is charged with the task of overseeing the coordination, assessment of operational efficacy, and appraisal of the sector's effectiveness. All these efforts are geared towards the attainment of objectives such as national unity and garnering international acknowledgment.
Mission
The core purpose of the Ministry of Youth and Sports is to offer proficient guidance in the creation, coordination, execution, surveillance, and assessment of policies concerning the development of Youth and Sports. Additionally, the ministry aims to facilitate increased engagement between the public and private sectors, fostering collaboration for both national and international integration.
Agencies under the Ministry The mandate of the National Sports Authority is to function as an umbrella organization under which various sports associations operate. It was formed in 1976. The Authority develops, organizes and manages competitive and non-competitive sports to promote national cohesion and professionalism in various Ghanaian activities. The National Sports Authority is a government agency established in 1974 to organize and promote youth development programmes in the country. Previously known as National Sports Council.
National Sports Authority
On July 19, 1997, the Ghanaian government introduced the "Sports For All" policy to encourage widespread public involvement in sports, aiming to promote holistic physical, mental, spiritual, social, and cultural development among citizens.
Dr. Honorius Akpeere imported this concept from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and introduced it to Ghana in 1977. While various sporting disciplines were traditionally managed by Sporting Clubs, Cooperatives, and Trade Unions, the "Sports For All" discipline aimed to engage all segments of society, with a focus on development rather than competitive excellence.
This policy's significance lies in fostering comprehensive development and unity among Ghanaians, transcending physical, mental, spiritual, moral, social, and cultural dimensions. Unlike disciplines striving for Olympic-level excellence, "Sports For All" doesn't emphasize rankings. Instead, it serves as the foundation from which other disciplines evolve into sports aimed at achieving excellence on the Olympic stage and in international championships.
National Youth Authority
Established in 1974 through NRDC 241, the National Youth Authority (NYA) is a Statutory Public Organization tasked with coordinating and facilitating youth empowerment initiatives in Ghana to foster holistic youth development.
Originally known as the National Youth Council (NYC), the Authority underwent transformations. In 1981, it became the "National Youth Organizing Commission" with a focus on creating the "Democratic Youth League of Ghana (DYLG)." Following the advent of constitutional rule in 1992, it reverted to being the "Council."
A statutory law revision under the laws of Ghana (Revised Edition) Act, 1998 (Act 562) resulted in the current name, the "National Youth Authority." Its role is to promote and oversee activities for empowering Ghanaian youth for comprehensive development.
National Sports College
The National Sports College was built in 1984 in Winneba in the Central region. The college was established by the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government to promote various sporting disciplines to international levels. At the college's establishment Ghanaian sportsmen were not performing as expected at international competitions. A reason for the college's establishment was to improve the competitiveness of sportsmen in the country. The function of the college is to train and re-train the country's technical and human resource in various sporting disciplines.
Events and Activities The ministry is supports the national teams in competitions such as FIFA world cups for all levels and genders and provides support for athletics for major international competitions. The ministry gets support from corporates and individuals in supporting the National teams to represent the country in international competitions.
The ministry was responsible for the hosting of 2023 All African Games. The ministry was responsible to award contracts for the building of sports facilities for the All African Games.
Management Team
Hon. Mustapha Ussif - Minister Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie - DEPUTY MINISTER Alhaji Hafiz Adam - CHIEF DIRECTOR Mr. Harrison K. Sasu - DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (F&A) Issah Mahami - DIRECTOR, PPBME Samuel Korsah - DEPUTY DIRECTOR, RESEARCH, STATISTICS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
List of ministers
Minister PeriodE. R. K. Dwomon 1978 – 1979Thomas G. Abilla 1979 – 1981Nii Anyitey Kwakwranya 1981 – 1982Zaya Yebo 1982 – 1983Amarkai Amarteifio 1983 – 1986Ato Austin 1986 – 1988Kwame Saarah-Mensah 1988 – 1991Arnold Quainoo 1991 – 1993E. T. Mensah 24/4/1993 – 6/1/2001Mallam A.Y Isa 14/2/2001 – 14/3/2001Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1/8/2001 – 16/10/2001Edward Osei-Kwaku 13/11/2001 – 17/4/2003Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu 17/4/2003 – 3/2/2005Yaw Osafo-Maafo 3/2/2005 – 8/5/2006Papa Owusu-Ankomah 8/5/2006 – 6/8/2007Dominic Fobih 6/8/2007 – 6/1/2009Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka 13/2/2009 – 9/6/2009Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo 16/7/2009 – 31/8/2009Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo 1/9/2009 – 25/1/2010Akua Sena Dansua 11/2/2010 – 4/1/2011Clement Kofi Humado 14/2/2011 – 31/1/2013Elvis Afriyie Ankrah 14/2/2013 – 8/7/2014Mahama Ayariga 8/7/2014 – 14/3/2015Mustapha Ahmed 14/3/2015 –18/1/2016Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye 19/1/2016 – 6/1/2017Isaac Kwame Asiamah 02/2017– 6/1/2021Mustapha Ussif03/ 2021–2025Kofi Adams01/1/2025 – onward
References
External links