Hon. Kofi Adams, Minister for Sports and Recreation, has outlined Ghana’s renewed plan to develop sports by strengthening school sports and deepening public-private partnerships.
Speaking at the Basketball Africa League and NBA Investor Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, on 22nd May 2026, Hon. Adams said Ghana is focused on building sport from the ground up and doing it together.
“We want to catch young talent early by making school sports strong again,” he said. “That means giving kids in classrooms and on playgrounds the coaching, facilities, and competitions that turn raw energy into skill and discipline. This is where future champions and a healthier generation begin.”
He stressed that government cannot do it alone. By inviting the private sector to partner with the state, Ghana aims to attract investment, expertise, and innovation into sports infrastructure, events, and programs. “It’s a shared mission,” he noted. “Public vision meets private resources to create opportunities that last.”
The high-level panel discussion focused on leveraging sports and infrastructure development to drive economic growth and sustainable progress across Africa. Hon. Adams was joined by Rwanda’s Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. The conversation centered on investment opportunities in sports infrastructure and strategies to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability.
Referring to Ghana’s efforts under President John Dramani Mahama, Hon. Adams added: “Africa should be able to travel freely among its nations.” He explained that easing movement across borders would give a major boost to both sports development and economic progress.
He also highlighted the importance of grassroots and youth programs. “If we want to produce elite athletes, we must build a strong foundation,” he said. “Ghana has established structures like the Grassroots Sports Secretariat and the School Sports Organization to nurture young talent from an early age.”
Acknowledging that government action alone is not enough, Hon. Adams called for stronger Public-Private Partnership frameworks to give investors clear channels and confidence. “A clear and well-defined PPP structure is essential so investors know the proper channels to follow,” he explained.
He closed with a call to shift how Africa is viewed in global sports: “Africa must be recognized as a production line for sports, not just a market for athletes. We need to create opportunities here for our athletes to develop and excel.”
The summit was attended by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, ministers from several countries, NBA executives, and current and former basketball stars. All participants shared a common vision of using sports as a catalyst for economic and social progress across the continent.
As Africa continues to expand its sports ecosystem, leaders like Hon. Kofi Adams remain committed to ensuring the continent not only participates in global sports but becomes a major producer of world-class athletes and sports entrepreneurs.