Ghana’s Sports Ministry to source non-state funds to host ECOWAS Games next year

The Ministry of Youth and Sports would look outside state coffers for funds to organise the next edition of the Economic Commission of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Games to be hosted by Ghana next year.

This follows the rejection of the games’ budget by Cabinet as a result of government’s austere financial arrangements.

Mr Clement Kofi Humado, Minister of Youth and Sports said the expenditure of government on sports over the years has been overbearing and suspects that was the reason for the rejection of the budget.

“When I made a memo to Cabinet on the ECOWAS Games, it was rejected because it will bring further stress to the finances of the state.

“We therefore have to make quick contacts with the ECOWAS secretariat as well as the corporate world to raise funds to enable the MYS organise the Games”, he stated.

He said there is no indication that the government will be able to provide the MYS funding to organise the Games, so “I have called Mr James Victor Gbeho, President of the ECOWAS commission, to support us with funding”.

The Minister said the MYS will also seek support from the business community to support the event, since it forms part of efforts by the regional body to develop and promote sports.

According to Mr Kofi Humado, the ECOWAS Games will also fall in line in Ghana’s preparations for the London Olympic Games next year.

“We had the Unity Games, the All Africa Games and the ECOWAS Games will be used to round up our preparations before the global multiple sports event between July and August next year.

“So it is necessary that we organise and participate in the Games, which will give our sports men and women the platform to perform at the Olympics Games”, he stated.

Ghana would next year host at least 15 West African countries to a sub regional multi sports event, an initiation of the regional body to promote sports in West Africa.

Source: GNA