NPP Manifesto: Dr. Bawumia unveils plan for School Sports Secretariat to drive grassroot development

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, has expressed a strong desire by his government to prioritize the development of sports at the grassroots level.

Earlier this year in February, during his major policy address to the nation, Dr. Bawumia introduced a new idea to establish what he referred to as the Ghana School Sports Secretariat.

This entity, he explained, would serve as a platform for driving sustainable grassroots sports development, starting at the school level, to promote both sports and education.

This vision has now been formally included in the NPP Manifesto, as highlighted by the Vice President in his address, and is expected to be implemented once the government is elected.

As part of his comprehensive sports vision, Dr. Bawumia announced that his government "will establish the Ghana School Sports Secretariat, which will be an agency under the ministry responsible for sports, in partnership with other stakeholders such as the Ghana Education Service (GES) and sports federations."

Given the historical challenge of funding for school sports, the establishment of the school sports Secretariat as an agency under the sports ministry, and as a brainchild of the President himself, is anticipated to provide annual budgetary allocations to ensure sustainable development.

Additionally, Bawumia reiterated his intention to collaborate with international sports bodies to position Ghana as a hub for emerging or lesser-known sports in Africa.

"My government will also pursue partnerships with international sports bodies like the NBA and NFL to establish Ghana as a hub for these emerging sports on the African continent, creating more opportunities for young people."

"We have already initiated discussions with the NFL, the governing body for the American Football League."