Accra: The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) Ghana have successfully held their Annual General Meeting (AGM), urging the government to increase investment in non-football sports. This call comes as the nation gears up for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
According to Ghana News Agency, the AGM gathered heads of various sports federations, athletes' representatives, and key stakeholders to discuss the future of sports in Ghana. During the congress, GOC President Richard Akpokavie highlighted the need for a more equitable distribution of resources among sporting disciplines beyond football. He emphasized that relying solely on talent is insufficient for international competition, advocating for structural reforms, improved funding models, and grassroots development.
Mr. Akpokavie stressed the importance of preparing well in advance for major tournaments, not just reacting when they are imminent. He introduced a strategic plan as a blueprint for institutional excellence, urging individual federations to implement it with the support of the GOC. He also called for administrative discipline, instructing federations to route government support requests through the National Sports Authority (NSA) to ensure accountability and reduce friction with the sector ministry.
Director-General of the NSA, Mr. Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, reiterated the authority's partnership role with federations and emphasized adherence to the Sports Legislative Instrument. He also addressed governance issues within some federations, including swimming, table tennis, and boxing, noting ongoing efforts to resolve these challenges through stakeholder engagement.
The congress reviewed the GOC's activities over the past year and approved its financial statements and budget for the upcoming year, expressing confidence in the leadership's transparency. Delegates praised the meeting as peaceful and well-organized, commending the GOC leadership for fostering inclusiveness and dialogue.
Stakeholders acknowledged recent international successes but emphasized that sustained progress requires long-term planning and consistent investment across all sporting disciplines.
Source: Ghana News Agency