Sports Fund Must Grow Athletes, Not Tax Them – Ussif Tells Parliament

The debate over how Ghana should finance its sports sector took a new turn in Parliament after former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, openly backed the Ghana Sports Fund Bill, 2025, while rejecting any proposal that shifts the financial burden onto athletes.

Addressing lawmakers on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Yagaba/Kubori MP aligned himself with the Youth and Sports Committee’s recommendation that the bill be handled with urgency.

He reminded Parliament that the Sports Fund concept was developed during his time at the ministry as part of a broader strategy to move sports financing beyond inconsistent government allocations.

Ussif argued that Ghana’s sports ecosystem cannot continue to function on state subventions alone if the country hopes to build competitive athletes, improve facilities, strengthen national teams, and sustain grassroots programmes.

In his view, a dedicated fund is no longer optional but essential for long-term growth.

Drawing on his experience abroad, the former minister recounted a working visit to Morocco, where he studied how that country finances sports development.

He said Morocco’s approach demonstrated that well-structured institutional backing and diverse revenue sources can sustain sports without placing direct costs on athletes themselves.

While welcoming the bill’s objectives, Ussif issued a clear warning against introducing a levy on sportsmen and women. He stressed that athletes already endure demanding training schedules, limited resources, and personal sacrifices, and should be beneficiaries of the fund rather than contributors to it.

He encouraged Parliament to explore alternative funding streams that are both sustainable and fair, cautioning that imposing levies on athletes could weaken support for the fund and undermine its purpose. According to him, the credibility and effectiveness of the Sports Fund will depend on inclusiveness and stakeholder confidence.

Ussif ended his contribution by urging lawmakers to pass the bill without delay, but with amendments that prioritise athlete welfare and strengthen Ghana’s sports development framework.

The Ghana Sports Fund Bill, 2025, seeks to establish a dedicated financial structure to support sports development and improve the management of sporting activities nationwide.

Story by Adwoa S. Danso