Ghana’s anti-doping education must begin in schools and continue through to national teams, Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams has said.
Mr Adams warned that legislation and regulatory bodies alone would not be enough to protect athletes from performance-enhancing substances or preserve the country’s sporting integrity.
Speaking at a stakeholder consultation organised by the Ghana Anti-Doping Agency (GADA) in Accra last Friday, he said clean-sport education should be included at school and grassroots level, so young athletes understand the dangers of prohibited substances before reaching elite competition.
The meeting brought together sporting federations and other stakeholders to prepare for the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code, International Standards and updated Prohibited List, which are scheduled to take effect next January.
Mr Adams described the passage of the Ghana Anti-Doping Act, 2024 (Act 1116), and the creation of GADA as important achievements. However, he said establishing institutions was not the same as ensuring effective protection for athletes.
“The establishment alone cannot protect an athlete. The Ghana Anti-Doping Agency needs capacity and independence to fulfil its mandate,” he said.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Buem said Ghana’s renewed focus on school competitions and grassroots talent identification provided an opportunity to build anti-doping awareness into the sporting pathway.
“As we revive school competitions and create pathways from communities to national teams, we must build clean sport education into that pathway,” he added.
Mr Adams said prevention was particularly important before athletes reached the national stage, where an unintentional anti-doping violation could have serious effects on a career and reputation.
He pointed to the risks faced by young competitors, including a district athlete being offered an unfamiliar substance or a school footballer taking medication without knowing its anti-doping implications.
GADA plans wider education and testing
GADA chief executive Killian Kwame Abrampah backed the call for early intervention and said the agency intended to extend anti-doping education across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
The programme will also involve coaches, handlers and parents.
“We want to educate our people, not the athletes alone. Athletes, handlers, coaches and even parents must understand their responsibilities,” Mr Abrampah said.
He said families had an important role in protecting young athletes from performance-enhancing substances.
Ghana has more than 46 sporting federations, and Mr Abrampah said implementing the revised anti-doping framework would require a collective effort to protect fair competition, athlete welfare and the country’s international reputation.
GADA currently carries out 10 World Anti-Doping Agency-sponsored tests each year. Mr Abrampah said the agency planned to add 20 tests nationwide from 2027.
Further discussions with stakeholders will be held to address the operational requirements of putting the revised Code into practice.
GADA deputy chief executive Alhaji Suleman Osman and Ghana Sports Fund administrator Dr David Kofi Wuaku also spoke at the consultation, stressing the need for greater institutional and financial support. Ministry directors and Prince Wiafe of the GRA Customs Division were also present.
Only about 15 federations attended the conference. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has therefore invited proposals on how participation at future consultations can be improved, highlighting the need for stronger coordination.
