Omanghana
Ghana has taken a major step toward transforming sports financing with the establishment of the Ghana Sports Fund, a new institution aimed at ending the country’s long-standing dependence on emergency fundraising ahead of major international competitions.
The Fund seeks to create a sustainable and predictable financing model that will support the long-term growth of sports across the country, while expanding investment beyond football to include multiple sporting disciplines.
Building a Sustainable Sports Financing Model
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Deputy Administrator Simon Appiah Jnr Esq. said the Ghana Sports Fund is designed to replace the recurring practice of raising funds at the last minute before international tournaments with a structured financial system capable of supporting athletes and sporting organizations throughout the year.
According to him, the Fund’s broader objective is to promote comprehensive sports development by investing in infrastructure, talent development, and grassroots participation nationwide.
Focus on Grassroots Development
A key priority of the Ghana Sports Fund is ensuring equitable support for various sporting disciplines, including football, athletics, boxing, and others.
The Fund also aims to improve access to quality training facilities across all regions of the country while supporting grassroots academies and community sports centers that identify, nurture, and develop young sporting talent.
Officials believe the initiative will strengthen Ghana’s talent pipeline and create greater opportunities for aspiring athletes to compete at the highest levels.
Legal Backing and Governance Structure
The Ghana Sports Fund was established under Act 1159, following Parliament’s passage of the Ghana Sports Fund Bill on December 18, 2025.
Its operations are overseen by an 11-member Board of Directors chaired by Prof. Koryoe Anim-Wright. The management team includes Dr. David Kofi Wuaku as Administrator and Simon Appiah Jnr Esq. as Deputy Administrator.
The governance structure is intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and the efficient management of resources dedicated to sports development.
Diverse Revenue Sources
Unlike previous funding models, the Ghana Sports Fund will draw its resources from multiple revenue streams to ensure long-term sustainability.
These include corporate sponsorships, taxes on betting companies, sports lottery proceeds, player transfer fees, gate receipts, and revenue generated from international sporting competitions.
The diversified funding approach is expected to reduce reliance on government interventions while providing consistent financial support for sports programmes across the country.
Public to Contribute Through USSD Platform
To encourage nationwide participation in sports development, the Fund plans to introduce a public USSD platform using the short code 2027#.
Expected to go live in 2027, the platform will allow individuals to make direct contributions to the Ghana Sports Fund, giving citizens an opportunity to support the development of sports and future generations of Ghanaian athletes.
Officials say the initiative is intended to foster a sense of national ownership while helping build a sustainable financial foundation for sports development in Ghana.
Source: Omanghana
