Sports for Progress: Cabinet Approves New National Sports Fund
The government has granted cabinet approval for the introduction of a Sports Levy, which will serve as the main source of funding for Ghana’s upcoming Sports Development Fund.
The initiative, endorsed by President John Mahama in September, marks a major step toward creating a sustainable financial base for national sports growth. The proposed fund aims to provide long-term support for infrastructure, talent development, and the operations of various national sports federations.
Confirming the development in an interview with JoySports, Evans Yeboah, Treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), revealed that the levy will be supported by additional revenue streams from the Gaming Commission.
“There is an incoming Sports Levy that would go into the fund, there is a top-up from the Gaming Commission, so there is a revolving fund within that sector as well,” Yeboah explained.
According to government insiders, the bill establishing the Sports Development Fund will be tabled before Parliament once the House reconvenes. The objective is to ensure that the fund becomes operational by 2026, allowing for structured and transparent allocation of resources to all sports bodies.
“It got cabinet approval two weeks ago, and it is looking to get to Parliament very soon. We are hoping that by the end of the year or by the end of Q1 next year, the Sports Fund will be launched and that will go to assist all the national federations,” Yeboah noted.
Once enacted, the Sports Development Fund will become the Ministry of Sports and Recreation’s central mechanism for financing both capital projects and operational expenses.
“What is in it is that there is going to be a pool of funds that is reserved to assist national federations, especially the first priority, which is world championships, etc.,” he added.
The approval of the Sports Levy signals a renewed government commitment to building a sustainable sports financing model — one designed to empower federations, support elite athletes, and ensure Ghana remains competitive on the global stage.
