National Democratic Congress (NDC) has outlined ten key initiatives for the sports sector in their 2024 manifesto, which will shape their campaign leading up to the December 7 general elections.
While the manifesto addresses several critical areas, including the economy, employment, agriculture, healthcare, education, governance, and entertainment, the focus on sports is particularly notable.
NDC Flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has pledged to nurture young sports talents by providing scholarships to help them build successful careers.
Additionally, the party has committed to constructing sports stadiums in all regions of Ghana, ensuring widespread access to quality sports facilities.
The NDC’s sports agenda is centered on making substantial investments and fostering development across various aspects of the sector, with a strong emphasis on long-term growth and sustainability.
- Support the development of Colts, Division One and Two and the Ghana Premier League by augmenting the salaries of all registered footballers with allowances.
- Undertake emergency refurbishment of pitches, tracks, and other facilities at our national stadia in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast and Sekondi to meet FIFA standards.
- Pursue our long-standing policy of establishing international standard stadia in all regions.
- Build more multi-purpose sports facilities to promote regional sporting events and inter-school competitions as part of our talent development policy.
- Ensure equitable investments in other national teams, such as women’s football teams, parasports teams, juvenile teams, and lesser-known sports.
- Upgrade the UEW Sports College into a modern sports university offering training programmes in sports, related medicine, science, and sports management and administration at campuses around Ghana.
- Establish Sports Centres of Excellence in the northern, middle, and southern zones in collaboration with existing universities and the private sector.
- Support national athletes more consistently to compete internationally and develop post-competition careers and pension schemes to cater for national athletes.
- Offer scholarships to promising sports talents and invest in the establishment of sports academies in partnership with the private sector.
- Support retired sports personalities in pursuing other sports-related careers after an active sporting life.