President Akufo Addo admitted in his media interaction earlier this year that he had forgotten about the report but Sports Minister, Isaac Asiamah, in a separate media interaction held in Accra on Thursday, stated that the Sports Ministry was fully complying with the White Paper.

“Per the White Paper, there are recommendations that were accepted fully, some were accepted with modifications and others were rejected outright.

What we are implementing are the ones that was were accepted by the previous government.

We have caused the various supporters group to form a national supporters group, prize money for the national teams are being accounted to the Ministry, we have gone ahead to pass a Sports Bill, the GFA is making full declarations on its friendly matches, the GFA President is no longer the chairman of the Black Stars management committee and the players are not being paid in dollars. They are paid in cedis and they are paid with cheques.

All these show that we are complying with everything stated in the White Paper.”

The Dzamefe Commission Report White Paper mentioned certain personalities and asked for some actions to be taken against these persons but Asiamah said the Ministry could not do anything until he had legal clearance.

“There are some people indicted in the White Paper and according to the law, they have six months to contest the claims in court. Until the court takes a decision, I cannot venture into those areas. The rule of law prevails in this country and we need to respect the laws.”

The Dzamefe Commission was set up after Ghana’s exit from the 2014 World Cup to find reasons for the poor performance.

By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘We’re implementing Dzamefe Commission White Paper’- Sports Minister appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is the first time in many years that a sector Minister has met leaders of youth groups, as the Ministry has been accused of focusing largely on sports at the expense of youth development.

The groups were the National Youth Authority, Ghana Scout Association, Ghana Girl Guides Association and the National Cadet Corps Ghana.

The others were from the Head of State Award Scheme, Boys and Girls Brigade and the Ghana Red Cross Association.

Mr. Asiamah reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the youth constitute the major source of human capital for the country’s transformational agenda.

He said, ‘the active population of the country is the youth, and therefore much attention should be given to them’.’

The Minister further assured the groups of efforts to ensure that they receive the needed support from the ministry.

The Chief Commissioner of the Ghana Girl Guides Association, Mrs. Zakiya Abdul Wahab, who spoke on behalf of the groups, commended the Minister for his plans to support the activities of the respective groups.

She said she was optimistic that with such support from the Ministry, they can significantly help mobilize and improve the human capital requirements needed for the socio-economic development of the nation.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Youth and Sports minister meets ‘neglected’ youth groups appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Funding of the Black Stars had become a major concern for Ghanaians, amidst the rumpus between the Sports Minister and the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Player bonuses in qualifying and friendly matches, as well as appearance fees, have brought tension between Vanderpuye and the FA, which most Ghanaian football fans and stakeholders are not happy about.

In an interview, Nii Lantey disclosed to the GNA sports that arrangements to fund the national team from other sources are far advanced to ease the pressure on funding from the national consolidated fund.

“We are having discussions with the Ministry of Finance on finding other sources of funding sports apart from the national kitty.

“We have good news from the Ministry to prospective financiers and also sponsors of sports. The Ministry of Finance is ready to give tax incentives for sponsors of sports”.

“One of the areas we are looking forward to is the franchising of Black Stars matches, so that whoever gives us that amount of money, which can take care of the budget of the team, then the person will have the right.

“We are still negotiating…we can give to the sponsor the number of matches the team would play and how much it will cost…if the sponsor is ready to give that amount of money, then fine.

“Then we will give the Black Stars to the sponsor to take care of advertising, broadcasting and everything. Whatever the sponsor gets out of it is theirs, “he added.

According to Nii Lantey, it will be on contractual basis for a period and the number of matches for the period would be given to interested sponsors and the budget.

The Minister said the GFA does not need to give its consent before the franchising could take effect.

“The FA doesn’t fund national teams, the Ministry and Government does…so whatever means and sources are used to get the appropriate funding for the team, the GFA does not have the power to say no.

When the Minister was asked whether the action will not deepen the friction between the FA and the Ministry, he answered in the negative.

Issues concerning bonuses for the Black Stars had been a problem any time there is a national assignment, which has marred the stars performances in recent times with most Ghanaians turning their back on the national in recent matches.

–

Source: GNA

The post We’ll sell Black Stars matches to generate funds – Sports Minister appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.