Ghana NSA boss says Constituency Games will transform grassroots sport

Ghana’s National Sports Authority Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, says the planned Constituency Games will transform grassroots sports development by taking organised competition to communities across the country.

Speaking at a consultative engagement and endorsement forum, Ampofo Ankrah described the initiative as one of the most significant interventions in Ghanaian sport since independence. The programme is expected to operate in every constituency and community across all 16 regions.

The NSA chief said the games would create a structured route for identifying and developing athletes at community level. He said talented young people outside the main urban centres had often been missed because they lacked regular competitions and organised support close to home.

By bringing sporting activity into constituencies, the initiative is intended to give young athletes more opportunities to participate and demonstrate their ability. It will also provide a wider base from which promising performers can be selected and developed.

Ampofo Ankrah believes that broader talent identification could benefit Ghana’s national teams over time. The programme would allow coaches and sports administrators to look beyond established urban areas when assessing potential national-team players.

He also called on media practitioners to support the initiative through sustained coverage. He said publicity would be important for building public interest, encouraging participation in communities and drawing attention to emerging talent from the various constituencies.