Sports Minister-designate Kofi Adams Pledges Commitment to Revitalize School Sports in Ghana
The Minister-designate for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has made a strong commitment to prioritize school sports in Ghana.
During his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday, January 30, Adams emphasized the importance of enhancing sports at the school level, recalling the 2016 act passed by Parliament aimed at establishing a school sports agency.
“I promise to run sports at that level more seriously,” Adams stated, highlighting the need for greater focus and resources dedicated to school athletics.
Adams’ vetting had initially been postponed due to the appearance of social activist Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor before the committee, where he faced allegations of bribery against Majority members.
However, members of the committee reached a consensus to proceed with Adams’ vetting to conclude the day’s proceedings.
Tensions flared prior to the vetting as two supporter groups clashed over attendance rights to the main hall, showcasing the high stakes surrounding Adams’ nomination.
Despite this, the Ranking Member of the Committee, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who also serves as the Minority Leader, opted to defer his questioning rights to another MP.
During the vetting, Kofi Adams addressed concerns regarding the current state of school sports, noting that it is organized biennially, which often leaves many students without opportunities to participate until their final year.
To combat this issue, he pledged to foster increased collaboration between the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to enhance school sports programs.
Additionally, Adams proposed introducing tax exemptions for companies that import sporting equipment for schools and local clubs, aiming to improve access to necessary resources for aspiring young athletes.
With these commitments, Kofi Iddie Adams seeks to lay the groundwork for a more robust and engaging sports culture within Ghanaian schools, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to excel in athletics.
