Copyright ghanaguardian
Parliament is set to deliberate on a series of landmark legislative proposals designed to transform the country’s sports financing structure, following submissions by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. Majority Leader and former Sports Minister, Mahama Ayariga, announced on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, that several bills—most notably the Sports Fund Bill—have been laid before Parliament to secure a sustainable and transparent financial base for sports development in Ghana. A New Era in Sports Financing Speaking in Parliament, Ayariga revealed that the Sports Fund Bill, the National Sports College Bill, the Anti-Doping Bill, and the Sports Fund Regulations form part of a broader legislative package aimed at modernizing the sports governance and financial accountability. “The Ministry of Sports and Recreation will bring the following for consideration: the Sports Fund Bill, Sports Fund Regulations, National Sports College Bill, Anti-Doping Bill, and others,” Ayariga stated. The Sports Fund Bill—the centrepiece of the new reforms—seeks to create a statutory fund to provide consistent and equitable financing for sports development, athlete training, infrastructure, and welfare. Sources of Funding Outlined A draft document released earlier by Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on October 10, 2025, outlines 14 diverse sources of revenue for the Fund. These include: Budgetary allocations approved by Parliament Proceeds from special sports lotteries Grants, gifts, donations, and sponsorships A percentage of tax revenue from sports betting companies Portions of gate proceeds from sporting events Proceeds from the transfer of Ghanaian athletes locally and internationally Revenue from sponsorship deals, certification fees, and licensing of sports federations and professionals Contributions from international federations Levies on commercial sports vendors and import duties on sports equipment Investments and other legally vested proceeds accruing to the Fund. This multi-source approach is expected to ensure the financial independence and sustainability of Ghana’s sports programs, freeing the sector from heavy reliance on government subventions. Objectives of the Sports Fund According to the proposal, the Fund’s objectives are to: 1. Guarantee adequate and equitable funding for all sports disciplines. 2. Promote transparency and accountability in resource allocation. 3. Support sports research, innovation, and inclusion. 4. Strengthen monitoring and evaluation frameworks across the sports sector. The accompanying Sports Fund Regulations will detail the operational structure and management procedures once the bill is passed into law. Beyond the Fund: Comprehensive Sector Reforms In addition to the financing framework, the National Sports College Bill is expected to upgrade the country’s primary training and technical development institution for athletes and coaches. This reform aims to make the sports training facilities globally competitive. The Anti-Doping Bill will also bring the sports regulations in line with international standards set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), ensuring fair play and ethical compliance across all disciplines. Efforts to create a Sports Development Fund have been ongoing for over a decade, with previous governments struggling to institutionalize sustainable funding mechanisms. The sports sector—often overshadowed by football—has faced chronic underfunding, inconsistent athlete support, and limited infrastructure development. The introduction of the Sports Fund Bill is therefore being hailed by stakeholders as a major milestone toward ensuring long-term financial independence for sports federations and improving athlete welfare. Stakeholder Reactions Early reactions from sports administrators and analysts suggest optimism, though concerns remain over the transparent management of the fund once operational. They argue that lessons must be drawn from past challenges in managing similar statutory funds, such as the Youth Employment and GETFund programs. For now, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation appears determined to push through this ambitious legislative agenda, marking what could be the most comprehensive sports reform package since the National Sports Act was last amended. If successfully passed and implemented, the Sports Fund Bill could redefine how sports are financed, managed, and sustained in Ghana.
