Author: Sammy Heywood Okine
The National Sports Authority (NSA) has inaugurated a five-member Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Committee as part of efforts to strengthen funding and build strategic partnerships for Ghana’s sports sector.
The committee, chaired by African Paralympic Committee (APC) President Samson Deen, was inaugurated in Accra on Friday at the ESP Hotel in Labone.
Director-General of the NSA, Ampofo Ankrah, serves as Deputy Chairman, with Hajia Sulemana Zenabu, Alhaji Iddris Muntawakilu Ahmed and Mavis Animah Quianoo as members.
The committee was officially sworn into office under the theme, “Supporting the Reset Ghana Sports Agenda,” with a clear mandate to explore innovative ways of financing sports development beyond traditional government funding.
The committee is expected to explore sustainable approaches to resource mobilisation while strengthening collaboration between the NSA and potential partners.
Samson Deen told guests at the inauguration that the committee’s work must go beyond the traditional approach of seeking financial assistance, stressing the need for a more structured system of investment in Ghanaian sport.
“Resource mobilisation must not mean simply asking for money,” Deen said.
He contended that Ghana has no shortage of sporting talent but requires a system capable of identifying, financing and developing athletes to reach the highest level.
“Ghana does not lack sporting talent. What we must build is the system that finds the talent, finances the talent, develops the talent, projects the talent — and takes that talent to the podium.”
Sports federations and athletes in Ghana have frequently faced funding challenges, particularly ahead of major international competitions. Deen believes addressing the problem requires a shift away from last-minute fundraising towards longer-term planning.
“We must move from emergency funding to strategic investment,” he said.
The newly constituted committee is expected to engage stakeholders, including government, corporate institutions, development partners, sports federations, the media and other organisations with an interest in the development of Ghanaian sport.
Samson Deen, who is also the President of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana, identified the proposed Constituency Games as an important platform for grassroots talent identification, arguing that the competition should have a broader developmental purpose.
“The Constituency Games must not become just another competition on the calendar. They must become a national talent-discovery movement.”
Under the vision outlined by the committee chairman, athletes identified at community and constituency levels would have a pathway through regional and national competitions towards elite development.
Deen also highlighted the role of the media in that process, calling for greater attention to athletes during the early stages of their development rather than only after major successes.
“We do not want the media to arrive only when the medal has been won. We want you there when the journey begins.”
He believes the success of the committee will ultimately have to be measured by tangible outcomes for Ghanaian athletes and sporting communities.
“We should be judged not by the number of meetings we hold, but by the partnerships we build; not by the documents we produce, but by the resources we unlock.”
The five-member committee will now begin its mandate as the NSA seeks new avenues to improve resource mobilisation and establish sustainable partnerships for the development of sport in Ghana.
