Kofi Adams pushes for school sports revival and PPPs to transform Africa’s sporting future

Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams, has unveiled a renewed strategy to develop sports in the country by reviving school sports and deepening public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Speaking on Tuesday at the Basketball Africa League and NBA Investor Summit in Kigali, Adams outlined a vision that prioritises grassroots development as the foundation for future success.

“We want to catch young talent early by making school sports strong again,” he said. “That means giving kids in classrooms and on playgrounds the coaching, facilities, and competitions that turn raw energy into skill and discipline. This is where future champions and a healthier generation begin.”

Adams acknowledged that government action alone is insufficient, calling for clearer PPP frameworks to attract private investment, expertise, and innovation into sports infrastructure, events, and programmes.

“It’s a shared mission,” he noted. “Public vision meets private resources to create opportunities that last.”

The high-level panel discussion, which focused on leveraging sports infrastructure for economic growth and sustainable progress across Africa, featured Rwanda’s Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis.

Adams also referenced President John Dramani Mahama’s broader vision for continental integration, stating: “Africa should be able to travel freely among its nations.” He argued that easing cross-border movement would significantly boost both sports development and economic progress.

Highlighting existing structures, the minister noted Ghana has established a Grassroots Sports Secretariat and a School Sports Organization to nurture young talent from an early age. “If we want to produce elite athletes, we must build a strong foundation,” he added.

He closed with a call to reshape global perceptions of the continent: “Africa must be recognised as a production line for sports, not just a market for athletes. We need to create opportunities here for our athletes to develop and excel.”

The summit, attended by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, ministers from several countries, NBA executives, and current and former basketball stars, underscored a shared commitment to using sports as a catalyst for economic and social progress across Africa.