Parliament approves Ghana Sports Fund Bill

Parliament has approved the Ghana Sports Fund Bill, paving the way for a structured and sustainable financing framework for sports development across the country.

The Bill received final approval on Thursday, December 18, 2025, following extensive debate and consideration by lawmakers, marking a major milestone in efforts to reform the management and funding of sports in Ghana.

Originally introduced by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the legislation went through rigorous review processes involving Cabinet and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports.

The review was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Parliamentary Legal Committee, and other key stakeholders.

The new law provides the legal basis for establishing a multi-source, performance-based Sports Development Fund designed to support athlete welfare, sports infrastructure, grassroots programmes, and systematic talent identification.

Its passage followed multiple readings and refinements, with both the Majority and Minority caucuses contributing to shaping the final version, underscoring bipartisan support for reviving Ghana’s sporting sector.

When operational, the Fund is projected to raise billions of Ghana cedis annually through a combination of statutory allocations, donations, and other approved revenue streams.

The framework of the Fund will align with the forthcoming National Sports Policy and will be managed by an independent governing board mandated to operate under clearly defined accountability and transparency mechanisms.

The approval of the Bill reflects the broader sports development agenda of the Mahama administration. President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to reposition sports as a critical development tool rather than focusing solely on competitive success.

Under this vision, sport is expected to contribute to youth development, job creation, and national cohesion, supported by strong legal and institutional reforms.

The Ghana Sports Fund Bill is therefore seen as a foundational step toward long-term investment in sports, providing a predictable financing model to support the growth and sustainability of the sector.

Some analysts believe that the fund will be integral to improving deplorable sport facilities across the country.