Parliament passes Sports Development Fund Bill

Parliament has passed the long-awaited Ghana Sports Fund Bill, unlocking a new era of structured financing for sports development in Ghana. 

This landmark legislation, which has undergone extensive scrutiny and inter-agency collaboration, received final approval after comprehensive deliberations on the floor of Parliament on Thursday (December 18, 2025). 

The Bill, first introduced under the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, was thoroughly reviewed by Cabinet, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports, in close consultation with the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Attorney-General,  the Parliamentary Legal Committee and other key stakeholders.

It sets the legal foundation for the establishment and operationalisation of a multi-source, performance-driven Sports Development Fund for athlete welfare, infrastructure development, grassroots sports, and talent identification.

The passage follows multiple readings, debates, and refinements involving both the Majority and Minority sides of the House, reflecting a bipartisan commitment to transforming Ghana’s sporting fortunes.

The Fund is expected to mobilise billions of Ghana cedis annually through various revenue sources, donations, and appropriations.

Its operational framework will align with the upcoming National Sports Policy and will be overseen by an independent Governing board with clear accountability mechanisms.

This legislative feat is also a direct reflection of the Mahama administration’s broader vision for sport. Under President John Dramani Mahama, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation has been tasked to reimagine sport as more than just a medal chase. 

The new direction embraces sport as a strategic development tool  one that requires legal, institutional and financial reforms to be truly impactful.