Tafo MP Backs Proposed Sports Development Fund Levy

The Member of Parliament for Tafo Constituency, Vincent Assafuah, has thrown his weight behind the proposed Sports Development Fund Levy as the primary source of revenue for a proposed National Sports Fund.

The levy is yet to be laid before Parliament for consideration.

The Ranking Member on the Sports Committee welcomed the principle behind establishing a sustainable funding mechanism for sports development, saying a well-structured Sports Fund has the potential to address the long-standing financial challenges facing Ghana’s sports sector, support infrastructure development, and improve athlete welfare across all disciplines.

He is of the view that the Government could have looked within the existing tax fold to allocate a dedicated portion of national revenue to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, rather than imposing a new Sports Levy on citizens.

That notwithstanding, he said a levy as being proposed by the government must guarantee accountability and transparency.

According to him, it must be administered such that every cedi collected goes directly into sports development and not administrative waste or unrelated activities.

“As the Sports Levy Bill is expected to be submitted to Parliament soon, the Committee will ensure that it undergoes thorough scrutiny.

“We will insist on:
1. A clear governance structure to ensure professional and independent management of the Fund;

2. Strong accountability and audit mechanisms to track every inflow and expenditure;

3. A transparent disbursement formula that ensures fairness across all sporting disciplines, not just football; and

4. Regular reporting to Parliament to guarantee public trust and confidence in the Fund’s operations.

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/