Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, has urged African countries to make it easier for athletes to cross borders, strengthen fair anti-doping procedures and establish more reliable sports financing.
Mr Adams said the measures were essential to expanding grassroots development, protecting athletes and creating wider economic opportunities through sport.
He was speaking during the “Russia–Africa: Together Towards Sporting Victories” panel at the 14th International Sports Forum “Russia: Country of Sports” in Krasnoyarsk, held from 21 to 23 October 2026.
The event brought together government representatives, sporting organisations, investors and experts to consider the development of professional and mass sport. The Russia-Africa session was moderated by three-time Olympic champion Maria Kiseleva and included ministers and senior sports officials from Russia and several African countries.
Mr Adams said the idea of a borderless Africa should provide athletes with practical access to training, competition and professional exchanges. He described easier travel as a key part of international cooperation, warning that movement restrictions could reduce exposure and disrupt sporting progress.
On anti-doping, he called for education and prevention alongside procedures that protect clean competition and respect athletes’ rights and careers. He also cautioned against excessively punitive measures that could bring athletes’ careers to an unnecessary end, arguing that competitors should be supported to understand and meet their responsibilities.
The minister pointed to the creation of the Ghana Anti-Doping Agency as part of Ghana’s efforts to improve sporting integrity and athlete protection. Under the approach described in his speaking notes, clean sport education is to be delivered through schools, community clubs and academies, with coaches, parents and medical personnel helping to guide young athletes.
Funding and grassroots development
Mr Adams presented the Ghana Sports Fund as a response to long-standing uncertainty over sports financing. Created under Act 1159 of 2025, it establishes a statutory framework for raising resources for athlete preparation and welfare, infrastructure, school and grassroots programmes, and recreation.
The fund is intended to support athletes before they achieve national recognition, when regular coaching, competition and medical care are important to their development.
He also highlighted the restructuring of school and grassroots sport through the Schools and Grassroots Sports Secretariat. The body is designed to link early participation and talent identification with later stages of development.
The aim is to provide continued support as athletes progress through schools, communities and sporting institutions. Mr Adams’ prepared remarks also referred to athlete tracking to maintain development records, identify shortcomings and improve opportunities for girls, persons with disabilities and underserved communities.
Ghana’s reforms are also intended to increase the economic activity generated by sport. Areas identified included apparel, training equipment, broadcasting, facility maintenance, digital platforms and professional services, creating opportunities for African businesses and employment.
Mr Adams said cooperation with Russia could support technical training, institutional exchanges and joint ventures that build this capacity within African countries.
Corporate involvement is another element of the financing model. Under Ghana’s tax framework, qualifying contributions to sports development and promotion may be deducted from income before tax is calculated, provided the necessary approvals and documentation are in place.
His participation placed Ghana’s reform programme within a wider continental discussion about accessible opportunities, dependable financing, athlete protection and institutions capable of sustaining development beyond individual competitions.
