Ghana to Introduce Sports Levy

Ghana is a step closer to creating a sustainable source of funding for sports as the proposed Sports Levy which has been designed to support the Sports Development Fund, has received cabinet approval.

The initiative aims to reduce the country’s dependence on inconsistent government allocations and create a steady pool of resources for sports growth.

In September, President John Mahama endorsed the proposal, paving the way for cabinet to finalise details of the bill.

According to Evans Yeboah, Treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee, the levy will serve as the main source of income for the Fund, with additional contributions from the Gaming Commission.

“There is an incoming Sports Levy that would go into the fund, there is a top-up from the Gaming Commission, so there is a revolving fund within that sector as well,” he told JoySports.

Government sources have revealed that the bill will soon be submitted to Parliament for debate and approval once the House resumes sitting. Yeboah noted that the government intends to make the Fund operational by 2026.

“It got cabinet approval two weeks ago, and it is looking to get to parliament very soon. We are hoping that by the end of the year or by the end of Q1 next year, the Sports Fund will be launched and that will go to assist all the national federations,” he added.

Once approved, the Sports Development Fund will become the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ main revenue source for both operational and infrastructure projects.

“What is in it is that there is going to be a pool of funds that is reserved to assist national federations, especially the first priority, which is world championships, etc.,” Yeboah concluded.

The move is seen as a major step toward securing long-term financial stability for Ghana’s sports sector.