SWAG Rallies Sports Minister Kofi Iddie Adams to Deepen Collaboration and Drive Ghana’s Sporting Revival

In a bid to strengthen Ghana’s sports industry, the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has formally called on the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, to deepen collaboration and enhance support for the sector.

The delegation was led by SWAG President Kwabena Yeboah, accompanied by Vice-President Evelyn Nsiah Asare, General Secretary Charles Osei Asibey, Deputy General Secretary Kenneth Odeng Adade, Treasurer Owuraku Nsiah, and Women’s Commissioner Mavis Amanor.

Established in 1968, SWAG has a membership of more than 1,000 sports journalists, photojournalists, content creators, bloggers, writers and presenters across Ghana. As an active member of the International Sports Press Federation (AIPS), both in Africa and globally, the association has played a significant role in projecting Ghanaian sport onto the international stage.

During the meeting, Mr Yeboah expressed appreciation to the Minister for his open-door policy, which he said has enabled stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the development of the sports sector. He commended the Minister’s support in facilitating Ghana’s participation at the recent AIPS Congress in The Gambia, where the country’s delegation attracted favourable coverage across African and global platforms. According to Mr Yeboah, such international exposure highlights the importance of sport as an economic driver for Africa.

A key focus of the discussions was the historic Sports Development Fund championed by Mr Adams. The SWAG President appealed for increased publicity and broader stakeholder support to ensure the fund’s sustainability and growth, underscoring the urgent need to invest in grassroots sports development. He noted that the lack of basic sporting infrastructure has long impeded progress and stressed the importance of broadening attention beyond football to develop other sporting disciplines.

In his response, Mr Adams acknowledged SWAG’s influence as a vital voice within Ghana’s sports ecosystem. He emphasised the value of constructive criticism and responsible journalism in shaping the future of the sector. The Minister pledged to work closely with SWAG to develop training modules aimed at strengthening the capacity of sports journalists, recognising the media’s crucial role in promoting and commercialising the sports industry.

He further called for a unified approach among stakeholders to ensure the holistic development of Ghana’s sports sector. Pointing to emerging opportunities within the media landscape, Mr Adams urged increased publicity to attract investment and nurture local talent. He reaffirmed his commitment to improving sports infrastructure and advocated a collective effort to harness sport as a catalyst for national development.

The engagement marks a significant step in Ghana’s drive to elevate its sports industry, with SWAG and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation aligned in their shared ambition to position Ghanaian sport more prominently on the global stage.