By Simon Asare
Accra, April 11, GNA – The campaign team for Mr Richard Akpokavie, a presidential aspirant in the upcoming Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) elections, has unveiled a bold and comprehensive manifesto targeted at improving Ghana sports.
The “National Sports Federations Manifesto” as it is dubbed, outlines a strategy for elevating athletes, empowering federations, and positioning Ghana as a continental leader in sports innovation and tourism.
Following extensive conversations with athletes, coaches, administrators, and grassroots stakeholders, the campaign team presented Mr Akpokavie with the manifesto during a short ceremony in Accra.
At the core of the manifesto is an athlete-centered philosophy, which encapsulates a comprehensive welfare programme—covering training, mental health support, education, and post-career opportunities—alongside a structured plan to bolster federations with better governance, funding access, and high-performance systems.
“We are not just dreaming of medals; we’re building a system where every athlete has the tools to succeed, and every federation thrives.
“This is a collective ambition to transform Ghanaian sports with integrity, purpose, and unity,” said Mr Akpokavie.
One of the manifesto’s standout proposals is the “Grassroots to Podium Vision”, a long-term strategy to identify and nurture talent from rural fields to international arenas.
This includes the bold introduction of local Olympic Games—a biennial, nationwide multi-sport event aimed at fostering unity, uncovering hidden gems, and embedding Olympic values at the community level.
The campaign also calls for smarter use of Olympic Solidarity Funds, redirecting resources to directly support athletes and federations. From funding international competition fees to powering grassroots training camps, the plan promises to make every cedi count.
Highlighting the role sports can play in driving meaningful economic impact, Mr Akpokavie emphasises the need to commercialise Ghanaian sporting talent and put our nation on the global map.
With the elective congress scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, Mr Akpokavie has been a leading contender in the presidential race, with former Ghana Golf Association President Mike Aggrey who has also stated his intention to contest.
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