Absa Bank Ghana has held talks with Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams on expanding private-sector sponsorship for sports development, including plans to extend support beyond major events into school and community programs.
The bank’s management said it wants to build on its existing sponsorship portfolio, which includes a marathon that has become one of its flagship sports initiatives, while exploring new partnerships aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent nationwide.
The meeting comes as Ghana’s sports sector faces renewed pressure to diversify funding sources, improve athlete development pathways and strengthen participation outside elite football, amid growing competition for sponsorship and limited public resources.
Adams welcomed the proposal and urged Absa to deepen its involvement in grassroots and school-level sports, describing early talent identification as central to building sustainable national teams and professional leagues.
The minister also outlined government efforts to revive recreational activities and expand access to sporting spaces. He said the ministry plans to develop the Efua Sutherland in Accra into a modern recreational hub, part of a broader strategy to strengthen sports and leisure infrastructure and encourage participation.
Absa’s managing director, Edward Nartey Botchway, said the bank views sports as a platform for youth development and social cohesion. He pointed to student-focused initiatives as a priority area for expansion, alongside continued support for established events.
The bank also requested closer collaboration with the Sports and Recreation Ministry to implement initiatives that promote sports growth and secure high-level endorsements for sponsorship programs, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
The engagement adds to a broader push by government to attract corporate backing for sports development, as policymakers seek more private capital to complement public investment and improve Ghana’s competitiveness at regional and international competitions.
