Ghanaian football icon Abedi Ayew Pele has been appointed to a newly established Ministerial Advisory Board designed to guide national sports policy, strengthen governance, and enhance long-term development within the sector. The nine-member board, inaugurated in Accra, marks a major step in the Ministry of Sports and Recreation’s strategy to restructure, modernise, and expand Ghana’s sports landscape.
The ceremony, held yesterday, was led by the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, who also chairs the new advisory body. In his remarks, the Minister emphasised that the formation of the board reflects government’s renewed commitment to elevating Ghana’s sports performance and institutional capacity across all levels.
The board brings together expertise from government, technology, finance, education, security, and sports. Its members include Mrs. Wilhelmina Asamoah, Chief Director at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation; Ambassador Alexander Grant Ntrakwa, Head of Delivery at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Stephen Kwaku Owusu, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Education; and Amerley Nuno-Amarteifio, Director of Legal at the Ministry of Finance.
The remaining members are Cleanse Tsonam Akpeloo, CEO of Suku Technologies and representative of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI); COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID); Michael Esuon, Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, who will serve as Secretary; and legendary former Black Stars captain, Abedi Ayew Pele.
The presence of Abedi Pele on the advisory board stands out as a significant endorsement of the role of former athletes in shaping modern sports governance. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest footballers, Pele’s expertise, international recognition, and deep understanding of player development are expected to enrich the board’s deliberations and strategic proposals.
Minister Kofi Adams underscored that the advisory board will function as a working group tasked with offering strategic guidance in key areas including youth development, infrastructure expansion, governance reforms, inclusivity, sports funding, and accountability. He highlighted that Ghana’s sports ecosystem is evolving rapidly, and government institutions must respond with forward-thinking policies that address both immediate and long-term national needs.
He revealed that the Sports Development Fund—one of the Ministry’s flagship initiatives—is in its final stages and will soon be submitted to Parliament for approval. The fund is expected to facilitate sustainable financing for infrastructure projects, athlete development programmes, grassroots competitions, and community-based sporting initiatives across the country. According to the Minister, the fund represents a bold step toward reducing reliance on short-term sponsorships while ensuring continuous investment in sports at all levels.
Kofi Adams expressed confidence in the board’s diverse blend of professionals, insisting that their collective expertise will help Ghana build a modern, resilient sports sector capable of hosting major tournaments, grooming talent, and competing at the highest levels globally. He urged the members to produce actionable proposals that reflect the aspirations of the Ghanaian people and support the government’s goal of positioning Ghana as a continental powerhouse in sports and recreation.
The appointment of Abedi Ayew Pele has also sparked widespread national enthusiasm, with sports analysts and fans welcoming the decision. Many believe that his involvement signals a shift toward deeper athlete-driven input in shaping national sports development.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has also commended the government’s decision to include Abedi Pele not only on the advisory board but also on Ghana’s World Cup Planning Committee. Speaking on the significance of the move, he described Pele’s presence as a major boost to the country’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled for the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Mr. Debrah noted that Pele’s extensive international experience—spanning decades of professional football, global exposure, and interactions with some of the world’s top football institutions—makes him an invaluable contributor to Ghana’s World Cup readiness efforts. “If for nothing at all, he has played on the international platform. He has the experience to share with us on how best we can present our country on the global stage,” he stated.
He added that as Ghana prepares to return to football’s biggest stage, strategic planning, discipline, and international collaboration will be crucial. Having an experienced figure like Abedi Pele involved in the process signals that Ghana is taking its preparations seriously and intends to present a strong, united, and competitive national team.
The advisory board is expected to play a central role not only in policy formulation but also in ensuring that Ghana’s sports initiatives align with global standards. Members of the board will collaborate with institutions, sports federations, private sector partners, and community stakeholders to identify gaps, propose solutions, and support the Ministry’s oversight responsibilities.
Beyond football, the board is also expected to support the development of other sporting disciplines. Ghana has seen increasing national interest in athletics, boxing, volleyball, tennis, swimming, and esports. The Ministry believes that with stronger policy direction, Ghana can nurture talent across various fields and position itself as a multi-sport country capable of excelling beyond football.
Stakeholders across the sports community have expressed optimism that this new advisory board will help address long-standing concerns, including inadequate facilities, fragmented talent development pathways, low funding for federations, and limited coordination between schools, communities, and national programmes. The hope is that the board’s multidisciplinary composition will ensure holistic strategies that leave no sporting discipline behind.
As the board begins its mandate, expectations are high. For Ghana’s sports landscape—long driven by passion, raw talent, and the dreams of young athletes—this new advisory body presents an opportunity to introduce structure, professionalism, and sustainability to national sports development.
The inclusion of seasoned professionals, committed public servants, and global icons like Abedi Ayew Pele offers fresh optimism that Ghana can redefine its sports governance and build a future where every young athlete has the opportunity to excel.
Africa Live News will continue to track the work of the Ministerial Advisory Board and provide updates as the country accelerates its sports transformation agenda.
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