Constituency Games to extend Mahama’s sports reset across Ghana

The proposed Constituency Games could become a major part of President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Ghana sports agenda, National Sports Authority committee chair Samson Deen has said. The initiative is intended to bring organised competition, talent identification and development opportunities to every constituency rather than concentrating them in Ghana’s major cities.

Deen made the case for the programme at the inauguration of the NSA Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Committee in Labone, Accra. The Office of the President has backed the proposal, with Chief of Staff Julius Debrah asking the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to coordinate its launch in a letter dated 3 September 2025.

The proposed structure would begin with competitions at constituency level, followed by regional championships and national finals. Athletes who stand out could then be considered for scholarships, sports academies, training camps, centres of excellence and national-team development programmes.

Deen said the Games should cover women and girls, persons with disabilities and athletes in sports other than football. He also proposed a national digital register containing athletes’ performances, disciplines, education details and development records, allowing federations, coaches and scouts to follow prospects after competitions end.

Former national athletes could be brought into the programme as coaches, scouts, mentors, technical advisers and administrators. The Games could also create local work for transport providers, food sellers, hotels, equipment suppliers, medical staff, security teams and event organisers. Young people could gain roles as referees, coaches, statisticians, media workers, photographers, commentators and digital content creators.

Deen called for local media to document the competitions and help attract sponsorship. He said companies could support the programme through naming rights, broadcasting partnerships and community activations, with funding directed towards equipment, scholarships, facilities, coaching and athlete welfare.

He added that the programme would need clear rules, open procurement, financial reporting, safeguarding measures, medical procedures, anti-doping education and complaint channels. Its delivery would require cooperation among the Presidency, sports authorities, regional and local government bodies, schools, federations, traditional leaders, businesses, development partners and the media.