The immediate past President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah, has said Ghana’s sports fortunes must not be allowed to decline under the current political administration, insisting that the country is not short of experienced hands capable of charting a way forward.
Speaking while sharing a moment with Commonwealth Games 2026 bronze medalist Amadu Mohammed, Nunoo Mensah who also holds the traditional title Nii Kojo Ashiefie Papanyira I said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has, within its ranks, a pool of seasoned sports administrators who could be consulted to develop a strategic plan to revive sports.
He named Ernest Thompson, B.T. Baba, Kobby Mensah, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Samson Deen, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah and himself among those with the requisite experience to guide the sector, describing their collective expertise as an underused resource at a time when Ghana appears to be losing ground to other countries investing heavily in sporting infrastructure and human capital.
Ghana is blessed with talent in every sport, even winter sports but the passion for sport in this country keeps rising and falling.”
Nii Kojo Ashiefie Papanyira I, who served two terms as GOC President over eight years, noted that Ghana possesses talent across virtually every sporting discipline, including winter sports, but lamented that national enthusiasm for sport tends to fluctuate rather than sustain itself.
He stressed that effective leadership required consultation and humility, adding that leaders must remain open to learning from others.
During his tenure at the helm of the GOC, Ghana secured a Commonwealth Games bronze medal for the first time in 29 years, and went on to win five medals at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
He commended Team Ghana’s contingent at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and expressed hope that the athletes would improve on their performances in future editions.
He singled out Amadu Mohammed for praise, crediting the boxer with keeping spirits high in the Black Bombers’ camp by returning home with a medal.
In his capacity as Ga Mashie Noyanor Mantse (Development Chief), Nii Kojo Ashiefie Papanyira I, presented GH¢5,000 to Amadu Mohammed, honouring a pledge he had made to the Black Bomber ahead of the Games should he reach the medal zone. The boxer’s bronze finish meant he narrowly missed the higher pledges of GH¢15,000 for gold and GH¢10,000 for silver.
A boxing fan at heart, Nunoo Mensah’s administrative career has spanned multiple sporting disciplines. He currently serves as a marketing consultant for the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), representing ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf in a number of meetings with international sports organisations and personalities.
Source: Heywood Okine