The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has called for stronger collaboration between Ghana and the United Kingdom ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games, urging both nations to leverage the platform to build lasting partnerships.
Speaking at the 2026 Commonwealth Games Business Forum hosted by the British High Commission last Thursday, the minister stressed that such global sporting events present a unique opportunity for governments, investors and institutions to network and explore partnerships in key sectors.
These include infrastructure development, facility management, sports science, tourism and youth development.
Mr Adams cited the Borteyman Sports Complex as a prime example of what strategic partnerships can achieve in terms of infrastructure development. However, he acknowledged that Ghana continues to face challenges in the effective management of sports facilities.
“We want to have much deeper exchanges that will build the capacity of local personnel to take full advantage of whichever facility we develop,” he stated, calling for enhanced cooperation to promote knowledge transfer in facility management.
Touching on Ghana’s participation in the Games, the minister emphasised the need for increased investment in athletes to ensure strong performances on the international stage. He described athletes as ambassadors who project the country’s image globally and open doors beyond traditional diplomacy.
According to him, early preparation will be key to success, urging all sporting federations yet to begin training programmes to do so without delay.
Also addressing the forum, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, Keith McMahon, noted that 2026 presents a unique opportunity as major global sporting events continue to draw widespread attention.
He said the period offers a platform for athletes, governments, businesses and fans to connect and unlock investment prospects.
Mr McMahon highlighted areas such as infrastructure, marketing, youth development and sports technology as key opportunities for collaboration between Ghana and the UK.
He further described the Commonwealth Games as a symbol of shared values, noting Ghana’s consistent competitiveness in disciplines such as boxing, athletics and para sports over the past decades.
He reaffirmed the UK’s readiness to partner with Ghana by sharing expertise gained from hosting previous editions of the Games, including Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, to help accelerate the development of sports infrastructure and training systems.
Meanwhile, John Apea, Head of Mission at the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), underscored the economic potential of sports, describing it as a powerful driver of prosperity and development.
He revealed that the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is projected to attract about £150 million in direct external investments into the host city.
He also referenced the economic success of the Birmingham 2022 Games, which contributed £1.2 billion to the UK economy and generated over 834 million global views, demonstrating the immense business opportunities associated with such events.
