The board chairman of the National Sports Authority, Dr. Fred Awaah, has emphasised that sports should be viewed as a catalyst for national development and growth. According to him, sports should be utilised to support the development of the various sectors of the economy.
He made the statement during the official launch of the Ghana Olympic Committee’s four‑year (2025‑2029) strategic plan in Accra on Thursday, 8 December 2025.
“As an authority and in government, it is important to inform that we look at sports as a tool for development – ‘Sports for Development’, and using sports to develop the various sectors of our economy,” he said.
Dr. Awaah stressed that partnership is essential for success, remarking, “We are not going to be able to achieve this without partners like the Ghana Olympic Committee… this platform gives us an opportunity to discuss and encourage each other towards building a holistic sports ecosystem.”
Highlighting the importance of the sports fund, Dr. Awaah indicated that funding will be contingent on clear, documented plans. “We have a myriad of sports that will be competing for that fund… documentation must be apt… we cannot commit funds without seeing your plans in writing, as the GOC has done.”
Turning to the athletes themselves, the chairman urged them to plan for life beyond the field, sharing a personal anecdote: “When you are still a young person and you are in sports, make room for investments for the future… you cannot be a sports person throughout your life… he was thinking of his future, committing his contract to a mortgage.” He highlighted the importance of financial foresight, warning against the pitfalls faced by former athletes who failed to save for the future.
In closing, Dr. Awaah called for continued collaboration, saying, “We are having broad consultations with GOC and other stakeholders… we are now the leading.” His remarks underscored a collective commitment to leveraging sport not only for athletic excellence but also for broader economic and social development in Ghana.