Former Ghana President and NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, has announced that sports will play a significant role in his vision for a 24-hour economy.
Mahama’s policy aims to modernize Ghana’s economic framework to align with the demands of the globalized 21st century, emphasizing round-the-clock operations for businesses, services, and industries to maximize productivity and efficiency.
Mahama acknowledged the lack of world-class sports facilities in Ghana and highlighted the need for improvement.
“We don’t have a world-class standard Sports Stadium. I have been to several countries to watch matches and have seen what top-tier facilities look like. Wembley Stadium, for instance, is of a different class from what we have here,” he said at the Meet the Press held on Sunday.
“I will not stand here and promise that we will build a new stadium immediately, but under the Big Push initiative, we intend to spend a significant amount over five years on infrastructure. This includes roads, bridges, agro-industrial parks, and potentially sports facilities.”
However, former president Mahama also stressed about the importance of sports in a 24-hour economy.
“In many countries, sports play a crucial role in the 24-hour economy. You find games being played at night, which boosts various sectors, from entertainment to local businesses. We need to enable similar opportunities in our part of the world.”
It is clear that he views sports as a vital component of Ghana’s future economic development, potentially transforming the nation’s infrastructure and boosting its global standings and reach to benefit the youth and also boost our Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
The former President will be heading into the December polls as the leading candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Mahama is seeking a second term in office.