The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has launched his manifesto for the 2024 Elections, titled “Bold Solutions.”
True to its name, the manifesto offers daring solutions to critical issues in various sectors, outlining the strategies a Bawumia-led government intends to implement from January 2025 to transform Ghana.
In the sports sector, Dr Bawumia highlighted 10 major challenges currently afflicting the industry, including inadequate funding, poor development, and high taxes.
To tackle these challenges, his manifesto proposes a set of “bold solutions.”
Below are the 10 sports problems and the corresponding solutions proposed by Dr. Bawumia when he’s elected President:
Problem: Inadequate funding for sports
Solution: Establish a statutory sports development fund to ensure sustainable financing.
Problem: Lack of corporate support and investment in sports.
Solution: Provide tax incentives to attract corporate institutions to invest in sports.
Problem: High taxes on football clubs and sports entities, such as VAT
Solution: Implement a lower flat tax rate for football clubs and sports entities.
Problem: Salary burden on Premier League clubs
Solution: Support the payment of players’ salaries through policy direction involving the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and the Gaming Commission as part of the Bawumia Government’s direct support to the Ghana Premier League, clubs, and players.
Problem: Unreliable transportation for Premier League clubs
Solution: Provide each Premier League club with a bus as a form of direct support.
Problem: Poor grassroots sports development
Solution: Establish the Ghana School Sports Secretariat with dedicated funding to ensure effective, school-based grassroots sports development in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and sports federations.
Problem: Poor preparation for the Olympic Games
Solution: Launch the Operation Olympic Games Glory programme in 2025 to prepare Ghanaian athletes for the 2028 Olympics, focusing on disciplines where Ghana has a competitive advantage.
Problem: Lack of development in emerging or less popular sports in Ghana
Solution: Collaborate with international sports bodies such as the NFL and NBA to develop and promote these sports in Ghana, building on Dr. Bawumia’s existing efforts with the NFL.
Problem: Inadequate sports infrastructure
Solution: Continue the expansion of sports infrastructure initiated by the Akufo-Addo government by completing unfinished projects, constructing standard stadiums in Sunyani and each of the six new regions, and expanding the astroturf projects to cover constituencies without such facilities.
Problem: Poor maintenance of sports facilities
Solution: Implement an effective maintenance model to ensure that national, regional, and community sports facilities are well-managed and maintained.
Dr. Bawumia’s manifesto reflects his commitment to addressing the critical challenges facing Ghana’s sports sector, ensuring that the country’s athletes and sports infrastructure receive the support needed for sustainable growth and success.
Source: Adomonline