Kofi Adams: Ghana Can Learn from China's Sports Model
Ghana is looking to China for guidance as it embarks on significant reforms to bolster both grassroots and elite sports development. Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, made this known after a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, on Friday, December 12, 2025.
The discussions centred on strengthening cooperation in areas such as sports infrastructure, talent identification and nurturing, and crucial technical exchanges.
Minister Adams acknowledged China’s consistent support for Ghana’s growth in various sectors – infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and technology – and specifically praised their focused approach to achieving sporting excellence, particularly in table tennis.
“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,” he stated.
The Minister briefed Ambassador Defa on President John Mahama’s drive to revitalise school sports, viewing it as the bedrock for producing future stars. He emphasized that a renewed focus on youth development necessitates strong partnerships with countries that have demonstrably successful and sustainable sports systems.
Adams also expressed Ghana’s interest in exploring public-private partnerships with Chinese companies to renovate and build multi-purpose sports courts in districts and schools nationwide. He highlighted the importance of structured exchange programs for coaches, especially in table tennis, to enhance athlete training.
Further areas explored included capacity building for Ghanaian technical officials, the potential adoption of Chinese grassroots sports infrastructure models, continued support for the ITTF-Ghana table tennis training program in China, and opportunities arising from the 2026 Africa-China People-to-People Exchange Year.
Ambassador Tong Defa reaffirmed China’s dedication to deepening sports collaboration with Ghana, pointing to existing partnerships like the Confucius Institute, the Cape Coast Stadium, and scholarship programs that have fostered cultural and educational ties. He underscored that sports diplomacy is a vital component of the relationship between the two nations.
Both parties agreed to establish a more formal framework to guide future collaborations focused on youth development, infrastructure improvements, and talent transfer. This move reinforces Ghana’s position as a proactive partner in Africa’s evolving sports diplomacy landscape and signals a determined effort to build inclusive and sustainable sports systems.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
