Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has praised the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) for chronicling five decades of Ghana’s sporting history, highlighting moments of triumph that have shaped the nation’s sporting identity.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee edition of the SWAG Awards in Accra, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on past achievements and chart a purposeful future for sports in the country.
“Ghana is a place of talent, and that talent must be supported with investment,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang told the gathering.
Related Stories
She noted that many athletes have risen from modest backgrounds to achieve international success, underscoring the need for structured support systems.
The Vice President announced plans to establish a dedicated school sports authority to oversee athletics programmes from basic schools to universities. She said the body would organise regular inter-school and inter-university competitions, drive talent identification, and create pathways for young athletes.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasised that victory on the track and field begins with preparation, including infrastructure, policy, and funding.
She cited ongoing efforts under President John Mahama’s leadership to rebuild grassroots systems through community sports programmes, academies, and talent identification structures.
“Investment means continuing our inter-school competitions, community sports programmes, academies, and talent identification structures,” she said, adding that Ghana’s sports ecosystem must be held to high standards to sustain progress.
Mr Kwabena Yeboah, the President of SWAG, described the milestone as a solemn occasion to reflect on the association’s journey and pay tribute to its founding members and departed patrons.
“Tonight we pay homage to our founding fathers and those whose counsel kept SWAG together for all these years,” he said, naming pioneers such as Ackah Anthony and Ebo Quansah, who passed away this year.
Mr Yeboah lamented the financial strain of organising the annual SWAG Awards and appealed for state support to sustain the event, which honours Ghana’s top athletes.
He congratulated the Black Queens and the Black Stars, as well as other national teams, for their respective successes and expressed hope they will thrive in future tournaments.
Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, the Minister of Sports and Recreation, urged sports journalists to prioritise accuracy and fairness in their reporting.
“Journalism must remain a tool for development. SWAG must lead this charge, championing accuracy, balance and depth over noise. When we get it wrong, we do not only hurt reputations, we erode trust, kill sponsorships, and send back years of effort,” Adams said.
“This is a call for fairness – fairness in reporting that is evidence-based and reflective of the true state of Ghana’s sport,” he added.
Mr Gianni Merlo, President of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), commended SWAG for its impact on the sports ecosystem and praised young Ghanaian journalists who have excelled in the AIPS Sports Awards.
He also urged the association to support upcoming sports journalists, describing them as the future of the profession.
The 50th SWAG Awards witnessed over 50 athletes, sports administrators and other stakeholders honoured for their contribution to the growth of Ghanaian sports.
GNA
