We will invest massively in sports - NPP

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it will invest massively in sports through the development of infrastructure and talent development to position sports as a viable business venture to keep the youth employed.

The NPP intends to partner the private sector to set up a viable Sports Fund which will bring an end to the 'No money syndrome which has hit the Sports Ministry and now affecting sports so badly.'

Hon Osei Bonsu Amoah, a former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports and now a Member of Parliament for the Aburi, Nsawam Constituency, who hinted the Graphic Sports about the party's intended policy on sports, said, the NPP believed sports as a multi-dollar business which could yield very high returns economically and socially when the right approach implemented.

"Sports is huge business and has a multiple effect on the socio-economic dynamics of the country; when the right approach is adopted, sports can make a meaningful impact and that is what the NPP intends to do," Hon Amoah told the Graphic Sports.

Hon Amoah hinted that the party's Manifesto, which would be launched in Tamale next month, would keep to its promise made in the 2012 Manifesto which had the passage of the Sports Bill which the NPP government in 2008 drafted, as well as continue with the agenda of facility development under President J.A Kufuor.

He said the NPP would extend the Youth Employment Authority (YEA) module to sports where sports clubs and football clubs in particular would be encouraged to recuit sportsmen and sportswomen, who would be paid by the module as was being done in other sectors.

"Youth, sports and education are inseperable. and the NPP will ensure that the necessary bridges are built to ensure that strong link is built. Sports is equally important as agriculture and the other modules being promoted by the YEA and there are so many youth who could be engaged when a similar module is adopted for sports," Hon Amoah explained.

If the content of the 2012 Manifesto of the NPP is indeed, what will be built on for this year's campaign, then the party may continue with its plan to build five stadia in Ho, Sunyani, Wa, Bolgatanga, Koforidua as their sixth stadium, the Cape Coast Stadium, which has now been built by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“The NPP will, in partnership with the private sector, establish colleges for academic and professional studies in sports, invest in equipment, technical manpower development and provide incentive for talented sportsmen and sportswomen to pursue higher education, all in a bid to improve upon the dwindling fortunes of sports in Ghana”, he declared.