National Sports College Launches Sports Psychology Certification Program
The National Sports College, Winneba, in partnership with the National Sports Authority, has commenced a Certificate in Sports Psychology program aimed at equipping sports professionals with the psychological tools needed to enhance athletic performance.
The training, which is taking place at the Accra Sports Stadium from March 24 to March 27, 2025, was officially opened in the presence of key stakeholders, including Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams and Bawa Fuseini, Acting Director of the National Sports College.
During the opening ceremony, Bawa Fuseini emphasized the critical role psychology plays in sports success and called for more support from the Ministry.
“Ghana has reached a point where talent and performances alone will not get us where we want to be. As a nation, we need to focus on the psychological side of sports, and that is why the college needs massive support from the Ministry. We need the psychology part of it for the athletes and coaches,” he stated.
Sports Minister Kofi Adams echoed this sentiment, stressing that sports development must go beyond physical training to include mental conditioning.
“Sports cannot be developed without looking at the whole component. The psychology of athletes and sports persons contributes hugely to their success. It’s not just about their physical formation but also their mental strength. If trainers understand psychology and incorporate it into training, athletes will perform at their maximum potential,” he noted.
One of the resource persons, Dr. Elvis Hagan Jr. from Germany, highlighted how Ghana has overlooked sports psychology for too long, expressing his excitement about recent efforts to integrate it into the national teams.
“I was glad to hear that the Black Stars have appointed a professional sports psychologist. I was quite excited because we have taken this for granted for too long. The human brain filters a lot of information, and how that information is used optimally is key. It is just sad that we have paid lip service to this for far too long,” Dr. Hagan remarked.
The Certificate in Sports Psychology training features expert facilitators, including Dr. Elvis Hagan Jr. (Germany) and Dr. Medina (University of Education, Winneba)
This initiative marks a significant step in Ghana’s effort to improve the mental conditioning of athletes and sports professionals, ensuring they are prepared to compete at the highest levels.
