Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, has unveiled his manifesto for the 2024 elections, titled “Bold Solutions.” The manifesto outlines a comprehensive plan to transform Ghana’s sports sector, addressing ten key challenges and proposing corresponding solutions.
The challenges identified by Dr. Bawumia include inadequate funding, lack of corporate support, high taxes, salary burdens on Premier League clubs, unreliable transportation, poor grassroots development, inadequate Olympic preparation, neglect of emerging sports, insufficient infrastructure, and poor facility maintenance.
To address these issues, Dr. Bawumia’s manifesto proposes the following solutions:
- Establish a statutory sports development fund for sustainable financing.
- Offer tax incentives to attract corporate investment in sports.
- Implement a lower flat tax rate for football clubs and sports entities.
- Support player salary payments through policy direction involving the National Lottery Authority and Gaming Commission.
- Provide each Premier League club with a bus for reliable transportation.
- Establish the Ghana School Sports Secretariat for effective grassroots development.
- Launch the Operation Olympic Games Glory program to prepare athletes for the 2028 Olympics.
- Collaborate with international sports bodies to develop emerging sports in Ghana.
- Continue expanding sports infrastructure, completing unfinished projects, and constructing new stadiums.
- Implement an effective maintenance model for national, regional, and community sports facilities.
Dr. Bawumia’s manifesto demonstrates his commitment to revitalizing Ghana’s sports sector, ensuring sustainable growth, and providing necessary support for athletes and infrastructure.
