President of the African Paralympic Committee (AfPC), Samson Deen, has called for greater national unity and a renewed commitment to promoting Ghanaian sports as a valuable national asset capable of attracting investment, creating opportunities, and enhancing the country’s international reputation.
Speaking at the official launch of the Countdown to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Accra, Mr. Deen emphasized that the growth and success of Ghanaian sports require a collective effort from athletes, administrators, government institutions, corporate organizations, media practitioners, and the general public.
According to him, the future of the country’s sporting sector depends not only on the performance of athletes but also on how Ghana presents and promotes its sports industry to potential investors and development partners.
Mr. Deen expressed concern that persistent negativity, public disagreements, and excessive criticism within the sports ecosystem often undermine efforts to attract private-sector investment and corporate sponsorship.
He noted that while constructive criticism is important for accountability and improvement, the continuous focus on challenges and institutional shortcomings can overshadow the immense opportunities that exist within Ghana’s sports sector.
The AfPC President urged stakeholders to adopt a more positive and strategic approach to sports promotion, stressing that confidence and credibility are key factors that influence investment decisions.
He further highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among sports federations, government agencies, corporate entities, and the media to build a thriving sports industry capable of producing world-class athletes and generating economic benefits for the country.
With the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games now underway, Mr. Deen called on all stakeholders to rally behind a shared vision of sporting excellence and national development.
He expressed confidence that through unity, strategic investment, and positive storytelling, Ghana can strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading sporting nations and create a sustainable future for the next generation of athletes.
President of the African Paralympic Committee (AfPC), Samson Deen, has called on Ghanaians and sports stakeholders to adopt a more positive approach to discussing the country’s sports sector, stressing that negative narratives often discourage potential investors and corporate sponsors.
According to Mr. Deen, sports remains one of Ghana’s most valuable national assets and has the potential to generate significant economic and social benefits if properly marketed and supported.
“Sports is one of Ghana’s greatest national products. If we continue to speak negatively about ourselves and our institutions, we make it difficult for investors and corporate Ghana to see the opportunities that exist within our sporting sector,” he stated.
He explained that corporate sponsorship is largely driven by confidence, visibility, and the potential for value creation. As a result, sports administrators and stakeholders must intentionally package and promote Ghanaian sports in a way that reflects professionalism, growth, and long-term sustainability.
“For corporate Ghana to come in and support us, we need to brand our sports in a way that makes everyone understand that the time is now. We must collectively create an environment that encourages investment rather than discourages it,” he added.
Mr. Deen expressed concern that many sports leaders spend considerable time defending their institutions and appealing for support instead of focusing on critical areas such as athlete development, infrastructure improvement, talent identification, and enhancing Ghana’s competitiveness on the international stage.
He further stressed that the development of sports should not be seen as the sole responsibility of any one institution, whether the Ghana Olympic Committee, Ghana Paralympic Committee, African Paralympic Committee, National Sports Authority, or the Ministry responsible for Sports.
Rather, he described sports as a national enterprise that belongs to every Ghanaian and requires collective ownership and support.
“Sports does not belong to one institution. Sports belongs to Ghana. Sports belongs to all of us. Therefore, we all have a responsibility to protect it, promote it, and contribute to its growth,” he said.
With preparations intensifying for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Mr. Deen called for stronger collaboration among sports federations, corporate organizations, government agencies, development partners, and the media to help position Ghana as one of Africa’s leading sporting nations.
He noted that greater unity and strategic investment in sports would not only improve athlete performance but also unlock new opportunities for national development and economic growth.