Volta Fair Sports Forum Charts Bold Path for Talent Development, Stronger Facilities and a 24-Hour Sports Economy

*Volta Fair Sports Forum Charts Bold Path for Talent Development, Stronger Facilities and a 24-Hour Sports Economy*

The Volta Region has renewed its commitment to transforming sports into a major driver of economic growth, youth development and national competitiveness, following a high-level Sports Development Forum held under the ongoing Volta Fair 2025. The forum, themed “Harnessing Healthy Regional Talent for Global Economic Growth and a Thriving 24-Hour Economy: A Discussion on Sport, Health & Nutrition,” brought together sports administrators, academics, health experts and policy leaders to discuss the future of talent development in the region.

The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, opening the forum, emphasized that sports has evolved beyond mere entertainment into a strategic pillar of economic opportunity capable of transforming communities and producing global champions.

He reiterated government’s commitment to youth-focused investment, highlighting the Volta Economic Corridor as a flagship initiative under the 24-hour economy vision of former President John Dramani Mahama. This corridor, he said, aims to unlock the untapped potential of the Volta Lake for transportation, recreation, tourism, irrigation and water sports.

Hon. Gunu also revealed ongoing upgrades at the Ho Sports Stadium being undertaken by the Regional Coordinating Council and the Ho Municipal Assembly. These renovations, he said, are part of a wider plan to create an enabling environment for the region to not only participate but dominate national sporting competitions.

“Our talent alone is not enough,” he stressed, calling for clearly defined development pathways and stronger partnerships across universities, government agencies, sports associations and the private sector.

The Head of Public Relations and Strategy at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr. Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe, shed light on the Association’s ongoing collaboration with FIFA to strengthen Ghana’s talent identification system.

According to Armstrong- Mortagbe, trained scouts have been deployed across all football regions to spot outstanding young footballers. These promising players are then channelled into designated centres of excellence where they receive structured development support.

He revealed that while the framework is yielding positive results, nutrition remains a major challenge in the country’s talent development pipeline. He emphasized that inadequate dietary practices significantly hinder the physical growth and long-term performance of young athletes, underscoring the need for improved nutrition-focused interventions to fully unlock Ghana’s sporting potential.

He encouraged students and professionals to explore emerging career paths in sports science and data analytics, fields that are rapidly expanding globally.

He further underscored the economic potential of sports, citing record-breaking international player transfers and the multi-million dollar value chain that spans facility management, merchandising, tourism and media.

Prof. Nii Korley Kortei, Dean of the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), underscored the critical role of scientific assessments in athlete development.

He emphasized the importance of tailored nutrition, physiological conditioning and regular performance monitoring to enhance endurance, strength and competitiveness. Prof. Kortei called for systematic frameworks that support data-driven decisions and research-led sports development.

The Director of Sports for the Volta Region Philippina Frimpong, outlined a five-point agenda for transforming grassroots sports. These include intensive coaching development, the establishment of regional structures for talent retention, and closer collaboration with schools to prevent the loss of young athletes to other regions. She stated that a regional athletics competition will return to the Ho Stadium by December 19, following long-awaited repairs to the running tracks.

Madam Frimpong disclosed plans to leverage the region’s competitive advantage in disciplines such as handball, volleyball, basketball and middle-distance athletics. She stressed the need for strategic partnerships with the National Sports Authority and international coaches, especially through the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to her, these partnerships would enable the region to produce athletes capable of representing Ghana at global events including the African Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

As Ghana prepares for major international competitions including the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2028 Olympic Games the Volta Region expressed readiness to contribute significantly to the national talent pipeline. The forum concluded with a strong call for unity, collaboration and sustained investment, emphasizing that the region’s dream of producing world-class athletes is achievable if stakeholders walk the talk and operationalize the ideas shared.

The Volta Fair Sports Development Forum marked a major milestone in the region’s long-term ambition to build a thriving sports ecosystem that supports economic growth, strengthens health outcomes and energizes the 24-hour economy.