Story By: Elizabeth Gyamfi Alhassan

The newly elected Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) president and it’s executive board led by Mr Richard Akpokavie Exq. on Tuesday May 13, 2025, paid courtesy call on the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams and the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah at their respective offices in Accra.

At the Ministry, Mr Akpokavie thanked the Sports Minister for attending the GOC elections held on April 26, 2025 and also expresed appreciation for his support since they took office.

The lawyer who doubles as the leader of the Olympic family in Ghana, discussed the GOC’s upcoming programs including Schools Sports, the Olympic Day as well as Youth Olympic Day celebrations, opined the need for the Ministry to support the successful execution of such impending activities.

“We are determined to return Ghana Sports to the top globally. Our focus is on athletes’ welfare and empowerment and we hope to get prompt support from the Ministry at all times,” Mr. Akpokavie said.

He added, “We assure you, the Minister and the people of Ghana that we will give premium attention to all sports disciplines to increase our chances of winning more Olympic medals at international competitions”.

The Minister, on the other hand, welcomed the GOC team and congratulated them for a peaceful election and transition into the new administration. He promised the Ministry’s unwavering support to the GOC and Ghanaian sports as a whole, because Ghana needs to also take advantage of the global sports industry that’s is valued at $700 billion dollars and soon to hit one trillion US Dollars.

“This is a step in the right direction because we are your Mother Ministry. We will succeed only when we work together,” Hon Adams stated.

“Sports is no more for fun, it has become a big business and solution to many problems in our country and continent. It’s important that we invest in our athletes to rise and achieve on the international stage. We can only do that through team work,” the Minister added.

In a related development, the NSA boss Mr Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah also pledged support to the new GOC administration and his willingness to collaborate with them to achieve their targets in the interest of mother Ghana.

“Our doors are always open, you don’t even have to knock. The interest and success of Ghanaian sports is a collective interest we all aspire to,” Mr. Ampofo Ankrah said.

“It’s great that the 4x100m relay team just qualified to the World Championships in Tokyo. It’s refreshing that’s there’s good news to share,” he added.

At the end of it all, the GOC General Secretary, Kassim Mohammed Muniru thanked both the Sports and Recreation Minister as well as the NSA Director General for their reception and pledged the new executives’ commitment to work hard to fulfill all their promises.

Meanwhile, other executives present at both engagements include 1st Vice-President Mawuko Afadzinu, 3rd Vice-President Ernest Danso, Treasurer Evans Yeboah and his deputy, Edward Nii Lante Bannerman as well as board members Delphina Quaye, Rafatu Inusah, Kamal Sulley, George Lamptey, Edwin Amankwah, George Tettey, Nana Mankata II, Samuel Tetteh Aryeh and Nathaniel Johnson.

Kyei Manu

I’m a Practicing Media Personnel /Freelance Journalist. The Editor/Blogger of this portal, with interest in Sports, Environmental and other Social issues that affects society.
A member of Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) and AIPS International.