Sports
Give us a Sports Minister of substance
It is that time of the political season where ‘Fellow’ Ghanaians will have to show their lobbying skills to catch the attention of a freshly elected and sworn-in president and his vice.
Like it is done in the legislature where ‘Honourables’ must work hard to get the attention of the Speaker, so must fellow Ghanaians scramble for space, swerve every obstacle to submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Usually, one must be well connected to more powerful people closer to those on the corridors of power for a CV to land at the appropriate place.
The scramble at the end of the day is to be favoured and selected for a ministerial role. When one is successful and even cleared by the house of Honourables, the victor is likely to serve as a Minister of the state for a period only God knows.
For some, it is after this that they can beat the chest proudly and state “Yes, I have arrived.”
But it is mesmerising how the efforts of the ambitious ones can be thwarted by comments or suggestions from another set of fellow Ghanaians.
These kind of fellow Ghanaians are the ones that lacks the prerequisite to desire the aspirations of the ambitious group.
At least through various media platforms, they make their voices heard on who should be selected for which ministry and give reasons why.
This happens very often but as to whether it is heard at the corridors of power, it will be difficult to tell.
Happenings in the current political ‘cocoa’ season has been no exception. Certain offices have been inundated with a lot of these CVs that an announcement had to be made for it to stop.
It may have stopped but what will be difficult to stop, may be the lobbying and those offering words of advice on who should be selected and who should be ignored.
Ahead of the announcement of a Minister of Sports and recreation (MoSR), there have been a lot of conversation over who to consider for the post and what the person brings to the table.
Some have called for an abrasive leader, expecting him to be tough and have either a thick skin or develop a dead goat syndrome to deal with perceived ills in the sector.
Some have gone to the extent of choosing such people to specifically deal with some actions or persons at the Ghana Football Association (GFA); as if that is where all the problems of Ghana sports emanates from.
Some have come up with many other suggestions; all in a bid to get someone cut for the role of the Sports Minister.
This is gradually making the role of the Minister of sports and recreation as the most difficult one; and perhaps no longer education, finance and labour etc.
But whatever happens, the selectors must carefully consider the true needs of Ghana sports and have a good knowledge of it as well as it current administration globally.
If we say sports has become a business, the sports minister nominee must fathom what it means and what is required to make it so.
The nominee must know and accept that sports is not just football. Apart from football, Ghana has over 50 sports federations, all depending on the national cake for survival.
The decoupling of the youth from its functions and replaced by recreation should also aid the nominee in categorising these sports disciplines.
By the rule of competitive advantage, the nominee must decipher those with realistic chances of doing well to be pushed. What we need is a Minister of substance and be firm to all but fair.
By Andrew Nortey
Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club PLC has appointed Julius Ben Emunah as its new managing director, with effect from February 2, 2026.
The appointment was announced by the Board of Directors of the club in a press release issued in Accra on Tuesday.
Mr Emunah takes over from Dr Delali Anku Adiamah, who has stepped down from the position.
According to the board, the new managing director brings close to ten years of experience in football administration, governance, sports broadcasting and sports management at both national and continental levels.
Before his appointment, Mr Emunah worked as Head of Competitions at the Ghana Football Association.
He previously served as Regional Administrator at the Western Regional Football Association, National Safety and Security Officer, and Club Licensing Manager at the GFA.
The board noted that throughout his career, he has shown strong leadership in competition management, club licensing, event organisation, media relations, regulatory work and engagement with stakeholders.
It added that he has also played key roles in major competitions such as CAF interclub finals, AFCON qualifiers, CHAN and the African Games.
On his academic background, the club stated that Mr Emunah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Cape Coast and a Global Masters in Sports Management and Legal Skills with FC Barcelona at ISDE Law Business School in Spain.
The Board of Directors expressed confidence in his ability to lead Hearts of Oak into a new phase of professionalism, transparency and competitiveness in line with international standards.
As managing director, he will be in charge of the club’s administrative, commercial and sporting activities.
He is expected to work closely with the technical team, players, supporters, sponsors and other stakeholders to promote growth and long term success.
Accra Hearts of Oak assured supporters and partners of its continued commitment to excellence on and off the field as the club begins this new chapter under Mr Emunah’s leadership.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Despite the numerous challenges confronting sports administration and management in Ghana, many individuals and enthusiasts still find the sector attractive enough to be associated with.
Ironically, while campaigning for executive positions within sports federations, aspirants often gloss over the very challenges that later frustrate their developmental agendas. Issues such as poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, and logistical constraints are either downplayed or ignored entirely in the quest for power.
However, once in office, these same challenges suddenly become the primary explanations for stagnation and unfulfilled promises.
It is against this familiar backdrop that one hopes the story of Alhaji Dauda Fuseini and his team at the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) will signal a departure from the norm.
Dauda Fuseini has long been regarded as one of the most admirable figures within Ghana boxing circles. He comes into office with considerable experience, having served under the previous administration led by Bernard Quartey, where available information suggests he acquitted himself creditably.
At the GBF elections held on December 27, 2025, delegates voted out Quartey and handed the mantle to his vice, Fuseini, for reasons best known to them.
Since assuming office, Fuseini has outlined his vision to stakeholders, pledging to prioritise transparency, accountability, and the correction of mistakes from previous administrations, with the ultimate aim of revitalising amateur boxing in Ghana.
Fuseini, however, is not alone in this transformation agenda. Mr Mustapha Nettey, who retained his position as Treasurer, has also been vocal about the administration’s plans, particularly their intention to make the Black Bombers more competitive and appealing.
According to Nettey, the focus will be on rebuilding from the grassroots to the elite level, while granting coaches greater autonomy — a move he says addresses long-standing interference in their work.
“Ghana boxing is big and special. Others have come to lead. This is our time and we want to make our term memorable by changing old practices to new, modern models,” he stated in an interview with Accra-based Omashie TV.
He further assured that the new GBF leadership would make the federation attractive to sponsors, both locally and internationally.
“Our ultimate goal is to win more medals at international competitions, especially the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA, as well as restore the image and respect of Ghana boxing,” he added.
These pronouncements provide useful benchmarks against which the Fuseini administration’s performance can be measured at the end of its tenure.
While optimism is commendable, it is equally important for administrators to align their ambitions with available resources, rather than relying solely on what they hope to secure.
Initiatives aimed at making the GBF self-sustaining would be welcome. However, should these efforts fall short, Fuseini and his executive will inevitably be judged by the promises they have made.
Until then, Alhaji Dauda Fuseini is officially welcome to the GBF hot seat.
By Andrew Nortey
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