Governments' Contributions To Sports Development In Ghana

The Black Stars won 2 nations cup

under Dr. K. Nkrumah 

All governments since independence era have contributed to the growth of sports well being in the country, to the extent that even during military era, the Black Stars annexed two trophies in 1978 and 1982 to add them to the existing two continental trophies which they won in 1963 and 1965 during the first republic.

Azumah Nelson, who is widely considered as the greatest African boxer ever, rose to fame during a military era starting his amateur boxing career debut in 1979. That is to tell readers that if our military governments had the passion and zeal to support the growth of sports in the country, civilian would follow suit and perhaps, do it much better.

From independence to the early 1990’s, the nation chalked several successes in sports. Such sporting events included football, boxing, hockey and a few. It was not because the players or athletes were given enough money, or had very good logistics and infrastructure, but the leaders, most especially governments inculcated into them a sense of patriotism where each and everyone of the athletes were ready to die for the nation.

The Black Stars won the third nations cup

under Gen. Acheampong

Apart from this, the players and athletes saw their role as service to the nation. One painful thing is that, the Black Stars squad was promised money, house and other incentives to win the 1978 African cup of nations. But after winning it, the promise was never fulfilled up to date. Some football pundits and connoisseurs have even attributed the inability of the team to annex any continental trophy after 31 years because the promise given to the 1978 team has not been fulfilled. Thus, there is no way the Black Stars will ever win any major title again. Whether this spiritual connotation or perhaps assertion is really haunting the team, it’s left for us to decide.

Monies lavished on our national teams started not long ago as governments from the 1990’s saw the need to adequately support the development of sports in the country. But majority of such support has been geared towards football, leaving the rest of the sporting disciplines in shambles.

Past governments and their development to sports

The support of government into sports, especially football was enormous during the 2006 FIFA world cup qualifiers as players and technical staffs received huge financial backing. This support subsequently earned Ghana a world cup berth in Germany 2006 after many decades where the team had failed to participate in the world football party fiesta. Ever since, Ghana has been a major contender at the FIFA world cup; all due to support that various governments' have been major contributors.

The support of governments in developing sports in the country has been tremendous. However, recent comments from the deputy sports minister Joseph Jamin that the government will make sure the Black Stars qualify for Brazil so the score becomes “2-1” in favour of the current government must be condemned. Football should not be administered along side with politics, as the outcome would not be favourable. Football, even in conflict prone areas is used as a unifying medium to bring peace. But governments’ supports on sports must be shared across board.

Prez Mahama is also contributing his quota 

to developing sports in Ghana and was

instrumental on the return of some "exile"

black stars players 

Aside the aforementioned support on part of various governments in developing sports, there are many reforms in the sports sector which needs to be done. Allocating enough money as part of the budget to developing this area will not be bad at all. As many countries are earning enough on sports because they put in enough financial support and are now benefiting from the proceeds, we can also do same. It is not only the responsibility of the government alone nor corporate Ghana. Players who have benefited from sports can also channel some of their resources to help the upcoming ones. This will also go a long way to assisting government to play its roles in sports much efficiently.