National Sports Policy

on May 09 in Uncategorized tagged by Admin

Indeed, majority of Ghanaians are engaged in one form of sport or the other either as active participants or spectators. It is on the basis of this, coupled with the fact that sports is a veritable tool to develop individuals and nations, and also to foster friendship, peace, cooperation and understanding between nations that the Government of Ghana is committed to sports organization, development and promotion.

This commitment is demonstrated, first by enunciating a well defined policy direction and second, by pursuing a strategic, multi-disciplinary and integrated plan of action that will re-position sports as the embodiment of the spirit of a new Ghana.

The new two-pronged policy direction that will ensure Ghana’s socio-economic development in line with the United Nations’ sports development and peace initiative are:

a)         Sports for excellence, and
b)        Sports for development and peace.

Sports For Excellence

Sports for Excellence provides opportunities for talented individuals to realize their full potential for national and international competitions. It also provides avenues for economic development and national image building.

As a policy towards these ends, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will support the programmes and projects of all Olympic Sport Associations in national and international competitions, seminars, congresses, research projects and capacity building.

Beneficiaries of this support include sports associations for persons with disabilities (i.e. deaf, dumb, physically challenged and mentally impaired)

Sports for Development and Peace

Sports for Development and Peace create avenues for all citizens, irrespective of age, sex, physical ability or vocation to engage in one form of physical activity, or the other.

It ensures that the root causes of the issues that challenge human development are addressed. Among these challenges are health, education, peaceful co-existence, eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, gender equality, child mortality, HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

In furtherance of the policy of Sports for Development and Peace, the Ministry of Youth and Sports shall encourage the formation of community fitness clubs (keep fit clubs), Intra~District / Regional competitions and the development and promotion of traditional sports and physical activities.

The Ministry shall also encourage physical activities and sports for all at the professional, amateur and scholastic activities.

Policy Objectives

In pursuit of sports for excellence and sport for development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports seeks to achieve the following policy objectives.

• Coalition and partnership building through inter~ministerial and stakeholders involvement in sport development programmes.
• National integration and unity.
• International friendship, solidarity and cooperation.
• A stable environment of equality, peace and democracy.
• Promote healthy life style, reduce violence and crime.
• Promote education and motivate children to stay in school.
• Use sports as a rallying point to educate citizens, especially the youth about HIVIAIDS.
• Eliminate drug and substance abuse among the youth, and
• Achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Policy Realisation

In order to achieve the policy objectives, the Ministry shall adopt the following strategies:

1. Strengthen the agencies for sports, viz; the National Sports Council, National Olympic Committee, National Sports Associations. C. K. Gyamfi Sports College, Security Services Sports Association, Ghana Universities Sports Association, Schools and Colleges Sports Association and Sport oriented Non Governmental Organizations.
2. Provide adequate and appropriate sports and recreational facilities at local, district, regional and national levels.
3. Ensure availability and affordability of sports equipment at all levels of performance. Also, the Ministry shall encourage and facilitate the production of sports equipment  locally.
4. Establish linkages and partnerships with countries and international sports agencies, who, like Ghana are committed to mainstream sports development and sports for development in their programmes and policies
5. Recognise the contribution of corporate bodies and individuals who contribute to sports development and sports for development.
6. Capacity building at all levels for community sports clubs, amateur and professional clubs and fitness clubs.
7. Motivate and encourage sports talents to achieve their full potential and honour past sports heroes and heroines.

Conclusion

Together, we can maximize the impact and demonstrate the value of sports as a tool to build individuals, leaders, communities and our nation. The Ministry of Education and Sports invites you to join the new Sports Development and Sports for Development and Peace initiative.

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