Ghana is set to learn from China’s sports development system as part of ongoing reforms in grassroots and elite sports, according to Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams.
Adams made the comments while hosting the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, on Friday, 12 December 2025, in a meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in sports infrastructure, talent development, and technical exchange programmes.
“I have been to China a number of times and what strikes me is how you’ve protected your traditional values while driving innovation. We admire your model and believe Ghana can learn a lot from it,” Adams said.
He highlighted Ghana’s national agenda to revive school sports as a key foundation for future elite performance and stressed the importance of partnerships with nations that have successfully built sustainable sports systems.
The minister also expressed interest in public–private collaborations with Chinese entities to rehabilitate and construct multi-purpose sports courts across schools and districts.
Structured technical exchange programmes between Ghanaian and Chinese coaches, particularly in table tennis, were emphasised as a priority to improve athlete development.
Adams added that capacity-building for Ghanaian technical officers and adopting Chinese grassroots infrastructure models could accelerate sports growth in the country.
Ambassador Tong Defa reaffirmed China’s commitment to sports cooperation, citing initiatives like the Confucius Institute, Cape Coast Stadium, and scholarships that strengthen cultural, educational, and sporting ties.
He noted that sports diplomacy remains a key pillar of China–Ghana relations.
