Youth Sports Development in Ghana

This chapter critically analyses the fragmented landscape of youth sports development in Ghana and its impacts on participation, accessibility, and equity. We argue that the current system, fragmented across the Ministry of Youth and Sports (elite-focused), the Ministry of Education (community-focused), and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (gender and disability protection-focused) hinders progress. Youth sport sits at the heart of the nation’s identity, but participation remains uneven – existing policies and strategies, while well-intentioned, face challenges due to political implementation. The chapter further contends that the shift from traditional, freely accessible playing fields to commercially driven, gated AstroTurf pitches potentially creates barriers to access, disenfranchises, participation in community sport and fuels the rise of sport betting among Ghanaian youth. The chapter proposes a collaborative, multi-ministerial approach to youth sports development to address these issues. This approach would emphasise grassroots sport-for-all initiatives, inclusive District Sports Units, and targeted programmes for underrepresented groups. Finally, the chapter recommends stronger partnerships between state and non-state sport organisations, including national sport associations (embodiment of local sport clubs) and Sport for Development, and Peace NGOs. Ghana can cultivate a more inclusive and equitable youth sport landscape by leveraging expertise and resources across these sectors.