Sports Minister Kofi Adams has urged stronger efforts to preserve Ghana’s sporting history, citing a tribute to football legend Osei Kofi as a reminder of the risk of losing the nation’s legacy.
“History not documented is history lost,” Adams said during a meeting with the family of the former Ghana national football team and Asante Kotoko SC player, who visited to invite him to a book launch in honour of the late footballer.
The minister described Osei Kofi as one of Ghana’s most accomplished players, citing his role in the national team’s Africa Cup of Nations victories and his participation in a historic 1962 match against Real Madrid CF. Known as the “Wizard Dribbler,” Osei Kofi built a career that Adams said combined sporting excellence with national service.
The engagement, led by sports journalist Dan Kwaku Yeboah, forms part of efforts to preserve the legacy of one of Ghana’s most celebrated football figures through literature and public recognition.
Adams said the country should draw lessons from Osei Kofi’s career, noting that “rich experience is remarkable as a footballer, a Reverend Minister, and a father.” He urged consistent recognition of sports figures beyond ceremonial events, emphasizing the role of storytelling in shaping national identity.
“In the days of Rev. Osei Kofi, the commercial aspect of sports did not overshadow nationalism,” Adams said, pointing to what he described as a defining moment in the player’s career when he declined an offer to play abroad in favour of staying in Ghana.
The minister called on younger athletes to emulate such values, framing sports as a platform to rebuild national pride and promote discipline and service. The tribute reflects a broader conversation about Ghana’s sports sector on preserving historical achievements.
