Ghana Eyes China’s Winning Sports Formula

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has disclosed that Ghana is ready to learn from China’s sports development model as the country undertakes major reforms in both grassroots and elite sports.

He made the remark while hosting the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, on Friday, 12 December 2025. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in sports infrastructure, talent development, and technical exchanges.

Adams expressed gratitude for China’s long-term support to Ghana in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and technology. He also praised China’s discipline and consistency in producing world-class athletes, especially in sports like table tennis.

He said:

“I have been to China a number of times and what strikes me is how you’ve protected your traditional values while driving innovation. We admire your model and believe Ghana can learn a lot from it.”

During the meeting, Adams updated the Ambassador on Ghana’s ongoing sports reforms led by President John Mahama. He highlighted the national effort to revive school sports, which he described as the foundation for developing future elite athletes.

He noted that Ghana’s renewed focus on youth sports development requires strong partnerships with countries that have successfully built sustainable sports systems.

Adams also expressed interest in exploring public–private partnerships with Chinese companies to build and rehabilitate multi-purpose sports courts across districts and schools. He stressed the need for structured technical exchange programmes between Ghanaian and Chinese coaches, particularly in table tennis, to enhance athlete development.

The discussion also covered training opportunities for Ghanaian technical officers, adopting Chinese models for grassroots sports infrastructure, ongoing support under the ITTF–Ghana table tennis programme in China, and opportunities linked to the upcoming Africa–China People-to-People Exchange Year in 2026.

Ambassador Tong Defa reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening sports cooperation with Ghana. He cited ongoing collaborations, including the Confucius Institute, the Cape Coast Stadium, and scholarship programmes that strengthen cultural and educational ties. He added that sports diplomacy remains a key pillar of China–Ghana relations.

Both sides agreed to develop a structured bilateral framework to guide future engagements, focusing on youth development, infrastructure improvement, and talent exchange.

This latest meeting highlights Ghana’s determination to be a collaborative and forward-looking partner in Africa’s sports diplomacy. It also marks a significant step in building inclusive and sustainable sports systems that benefit young athletes and the country’s sporting future.