I was pleased to welcome the Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group, Mr Ilbum Kim, together with Ghana’s Ambassador to South Korea, H.E. Kojo Choi, to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation for a very encouraging engagement. We discussed opportunities to bring FIFA ARENA mini-football pitches to Ghana, provide footballs and boots for our schoolchildren, and explore an annual Hyundai-sponsored National School Sports Championship. I was particularly encouraged by Hyundai’s interest in reviving its historic One Million Dream Balls for Africa initiative, as well as exploring support for archery development in Ghana. With over 1.3 million students in our senior high schools alone, we have an enormous opportunity to nurture talent, promote participation and build a stronger sporting future from the grassroots. As Ghana and South Korea prepare to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, I believe partnerships like this can give even greater meaning to the friendship between our countries. Under the leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, we remain committed to building the right foundations for school and grassroots sports. Our goal is simple: more children playing, better facilities in our communities and greater opportunities for every young talent to thrive. We look forward to taking these discussions forward. 🇬🇭🤝🇰🇷

For me, development must be something our people can see, feel and benefit from in their everyday lives. Over the next three days, together with the Jasikan Municipal Assembly, we will move through communities across Buem to commission completed projects, inspect ongoing works and engage directly with our people. From classrooms and health facilities to boreholes, bridges and other essential community infrastructure, each project represents a need identified and a commitment being delivered. I am particularly pleased that H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s government continues to give us the support needed to bring development closer to our communities. There is still much more to do, and we will keep working. Buem is moving forward, community by community. 💚💛

Congratulations to our young Golden Shuttlers on winning one silver and three bronze medals at the 2026 All Africa U-19 Badminton Championships in Cairo. I am pleased that, through the support of Government and the Ministry, these young athletes have had the opportunity to represent Ghana and test themselves against some of Africa’s best. Their journey in Cairo continues at the BWF World Junior Championships. Carry this confidence with you, keep learning and compete with the belief that you belong among the best. This is why we will continue supporting opportunities across our sporting disciplines and investing in pathways for our young talents. Ghana is proud of you. Go and make your mark on the world stage. 🇬🇭🏸 #EverySportMustShine

As promised, I will keep you updated on the steps we are taking to rebuild confidence in our football. The Ministry and GFA have constituted the following committee: Fred Pappoe – Chairman Anthony Baffoe – Member Stephen Appiah – Member Faisal Chibsah – Member Agbesi Dzakpasu, Esq. – Member The committee will assess and recommend the next Black Stars coach, with its report due by Friday, 9 October 2026. Your love for Ghana football drives this work. Together, we can rebuild a team that makes us proud.

I hear your disappointment, and I understand it. We all want a team that gives us pride. Your concerns reflect the love you have for Ghanaian football, and as your servant, I take them seriously. That responsibility has required firm decisions, we reduced the proposed two-match budget from about US$2 million to US$1.3 million, cutting approximately US$700,000, and removed management committee match-winning bonuses. Working with the FA comes with scrutiny, clear expectations and accountability. The attached statement sets out the work ahead. I will keep listening, protecting public resources and holding those responsible to their commitments. Together, with honest accountability and your continued support, we can rebuild confidence in our football.

It was a pleasure receiving Mr Alastair Long, the United Kingdom’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, and his delegation for discussions on opportunities to deepen cooperation between Ghana and the UK through sports and recreation. Our conversation touched on investment, sports infrastructure, technical development and creating stronger opportunities for our young people. I shared our plans to improve Ghana’s sporting infrastructure, particularly the need for modern, well-equipped facilities that can support different sporting and recreational activities and position Ghana to host major international events. We also discussed opportunities for exchange programmes and technical partnerships that can expose our young athletes and sports professionals to training, knowledge and experience from established systems. With Ghana preparing to host the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, our approach is to continue strengthening our capacity, build the right infrastructure and progressively position the country for even bigger international competitions. There is considerable potential for Ghana and the United Kingdom to work together in developing a stronger sports economy, and I look forward to turning these conversations into practical partnerships. 🇬🇭🤝🇬🇧 #EverySportMustShine

Earlier this week, I had a very engaging interaction with the team from IMANI, where I had the opportunity to share the journey of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the reforms we have pursued, the progress made so far, and importantly, where we want to take Ghana’s sports sector. Our focus is to build a sports ecosystem around three clear outcomes: Participation, Performance and Productivity. From sustainable financing and better management of our infrastructure, to school and grassroots sports, athlete welfare, recreation, commercialisation and stronger governance, we are deliberately working to build structures that can serve Ghana beyond today. I particularly appreciated the frank discussions, questions and perspectives shared by the IMANI team. Engagements like this are important. Public policy becomes stronger when we are willing to explain our decisions, listen to independent perspectives and remain accountable for the work entrusted to us. There is still considerable work ahead, but the direction is clear: a productive, inclusive and sustainable sports economy for Ghana.

I was pleased to receive our national amputee football team, the Black Challenge, as preparations continue towards the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico. These gentlemen have already given Ghana plenty to be proud of. They are back-to-back African champions, having won the continental title in 2021 and successfully defended it in 2024, with an African Para Games gold medal in between. They earned their place at the World Cup and deserve our support as they prepare to compete against the best in the world. I assured the team that Government recognises what they have achieved and the importance of creating an inclusive sporting environment where every Ghanaian with talent has an opportunity to develop, compete and dream without limitation. Their journey is also a powerful reminder that sporting excellence comes in many forms. Our responsibility is to ensure that the opportunities and support around our athletes reflect that. We will continue engaging the relevant stakeholders towards their preparations for Mexico. To the Black Challenge, keep believing, keep working and keep making Ghana proud. 🇬🇭 You have conquered Africa. Now go and challenge the world. #EverySportMustShine #BlackChallenge #TeamGhana

I was pleased to receive the leadership of the Minifootball Association of Ghana together with our National Women’s Minifootball Team, as they prepare to represent Ghana on the international stage. What stood out for me is another group of Ghanaian women finding an opportunity to compete, develop their talent and carry our flag through a growing sporting discipline. This is exactly why our sports development agenda must continue to create space for every sport and every talent. I assured the Federation of my support as they work to develop minifootball in Ghana and build stronger pathways for young people to participate and progress in the sport. I also commend the Ghana Police Service for its continued contribution to Ghana sports. Beyond providing security at our sporting events, the Service continues to invest in athletes, with players from Police Ladies now stepping forward to represent our country in minifootball. To our ladies, wear the national colours with pride, enjoy the experience and give Ghana your best. We are behind you. 🇬🇭⚽ Every talent deserves an opportunity. Every discipline deserves support. #EverySportMustShine

Yesterday, I joined the closing ceremony of the 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show, where I spoke about the importance of green spaces to health, recreation and sports development. I also reiterated the need to prioritise quality natural grass pitches for talent development. Artificial turf has its place, but it should not become the default for developing young footballers. As part of Government’s sports infrastructure agenda, we will continue to encourage more natural pitches in schools and communities, while protecting spaces that allow people to play, exercise and stay active.

Some things never leave you. The anthem. The memories. The brotherhood. 💚💛 Proud BHOBU, always. Sicut Miles Christi! 🫡

It was a pleasure receiving the French Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Diarra Dimé-Labille, for a very productive conversation on how Ghana and France can deepen our cooperation through sport. We discussed opportunities to strengthen athlete and coach development, school and grassroots sports, modern multi-purpose infrastructure and our existing partnership with France’s INSEP. I was particularly encouraged by our shared interest in creating safer and more structured pathways for young Ghanaian footballers seeking opportunities abroad, while protecting them from exploitation and irregular migration. We also explored opportunities in emerging areas such as esports. Ghana has the talent. Our responsibility is to build the right systems, partnerships and opportunities around that talent. I appreciate France’s continued support and look forward to turning these conversations into opportunities for our young people and the development of Ghana sport.

It was good to receive Mr. Rolf Olson, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, and his team today for a very useful conversation following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We reflected on Ghana’s experience at the tournament, the enormous logistical demands involved and, importantly, the cooperation of the U.S. Embassy throughout the visa process. I expressed our appreciation for the additional personnel and support deployed to facilitate the process, as well as the safety and warm experience enjoyed by our contingent and supporters during the tournament. Beyond football, our conversation quickly turned to what comes next. I shared President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for the revival of school and grassroots sports, using sport not only to discover talent, but to teach discipline, teamwork, life skills and healthy living. With Los Angeles 2028 ahead of us, early preparation is critical. We discussed opportunities for stronger technical development, support for our athletes and officials, and early engagement around the travel and logistical arrangements required as our athletes pursue qualification across the various disciplines. The World Cup strengthened our partnership. Our task now is to build on it and create even greater opportunities for Ghanaian sport.

It was a special pleasure receiving my brothers from the Bishop Herman Old Boys Union ahead of the BHOBU Games 2026, scheduled for Saturday, 19th September at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium. There is something special about reconnecting with people who share part of your journey. Beyond the competition, the BHOBU Games give us an opportunity to meet old friends, strengthen the bonds between generations of BIHECANS, share a few laughs and continue building a strong alumni community around the school that helped shape us. I was also pleased to receive my BHOBU jersey, and I look forward to joining the brotherhood on Saturday. More importantly, I remain committed to supporting initiatives of the Union that use sport to strengthen camaraderie while contributing meaningfully to the development of Bishop Herman College. SICUT MILES CHRISTI 💚💛

I received the leadership of Coachhene Sports Club together with their international partners for a discussion centred on one thing that remains very important to me: how we identify young talent, develop it properly and create real pathways for our young people. Coachhene’s work in the UK, where they have helped young footballers progress into professional academy environments, provides an interesting model as they expand their activities into Ghana. I was particularly encouraged by their commitment to making talent development accessible to promising young players without financial barriers. Ghana has never lacked talent. Our challenge is building the system around that talent. We need stronger grassroots structures, quality coaching, reliable data to track development and clear pathways that can take a talented child from the community or school into the professional game. This aligns with the work Government is undertaking to reset school and grassroots sports, strengthen coach education and reposition the National Sports College in Winneba as an important centre for sports development. I therefore welcome partnerships that bring genuine expertise, investment and opportunities into our development system. Our young people deserve more than talent. They deserve the structure and opportunity to turn that talent into a future. #EverySportMustShine 🇬🇭

I spent some time with our Black Princesses at their team hotel here in Poland ahead of their opening FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup game against Ecuador. My message to the girls was simple: believe in yourselves. You have worked for this moment, you deserve to be on this stage, and you have everything it takes to compete with the very best. I also brought them warm greetings from H.E. President John Dramani Mahama and assured them that an entire nation is standing with them. Government has ensured that the team has been provided with the necessary support and conditions to prepare and compete, and we will continue to stand behind them throughout this journey. Their message is “Stronger Together”, and that is exactly what I encouraged them to carry onto the pitch. Play for one another, trust your preparation, enjoy the moment and never be intimidated by any opponent. Go out there with courage, Princesses. Play with freedom. Play with belief. Ghana believes in you. 🇬🇭⚽❤️

Today, I joined the family, friends and well-wishers of Asamoah Gyan and Baffour Gyan to observe the one-week celebration of their beloved father, Mr George Gyan Baffour Mensah. For a family that has given so much to Ghana through football, it was important that we stood with them in this difficult moment. Beyond the goals, the victories and the joy his sons brought to our nation was a father whose guidance and sacrifices helped shape their journey. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the wider sporting fraternity, I extended our deepest condolences to the Gyan family and signed the book of condolence in honour of his memory. May God strengthen Asamoah, Baffour and the entire family, and may the soul of their beloved father rest peacefully.

It was a pleasure receiving the Ghana Volleyball Federation and celebrating their recent successes across the continent. Through the support of the Ministry and the commitment of Government, our volleyball teams continue to demonstrate what is possible when talent is given the opportunity and support to compete. From gold at the CAVB Zone 3 Nations Cup to medals in beach volleyball, these achievements strengthen our resolve to broaden support beyond the traditional disciplines. Our commitment is simple: every talent deserves an opportunity, every discipline deserves support, and every sport must shine. Congratulations to the Federation, coaches and athletes. Keep raising the flag of Ghana. 🇬🇭🏐 #EverySportMustShine