The Ministry of Youth and Sports will organize a National Sports Conference on Sports Financing in Ghana on Friday 8th August, 2014 at the Movenpick Hotel. This was made known when the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mahama Ayariga met with members of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in his office on Thursday 24th July, 2014 to discuss a number of issues.

The Hon. Minister disclosed that the objective of the Conference was to bring together all key stakeholders to discuss sustainable sponsorships for all the sporting disciplines in Ghana for enhanced performance.

Hon. Ayariga also indicated that as part of efforts to expedite action on the passage of the National Sports Bill, the Ministry will hold the final leg of the stakeholders meeting on the Draft National Sports Bill on Friday 1st August at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium. He said that the meeting will discuss, among other things, the draft National Sports Bill for finalization and onward submission to Cabinet for consideration and approval.

He mentioned that the Ministry was in discussion with the GFA with regards to how best Ghana’s proceeds from the 2014 World Cup could be used to develop sports in country. The Hon. Minister indicated that the US$ 3 million loan facility the government extended to the GFA for the payment of the Black Stars’ participation fee in the World Cup would be refunded by the GFA, immediately FIFA pays them.

Hon. Ayariga stated said that he has discussed with the FA the possibility of the Ministry and GFA issuing a joint response together on the Commission of Inquiry to FIFA, adding that this arrangement would help FIFA to know the opinion of both the GFA and Ghana.

Source: ISD (Larry George Botchway)