UEW Engages with Sports Minister on Sports Development and Facility Upgrades
A high-level delegation from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), paid a courtesy call on Hon. Kofi Adams, Minister of Sports and Recreation, on Thursday, 13th February, 2025. The meeting aimed to foster collaboration between the Ministry and UEW, focusing on training sports professionals and establishing a college dedicated to sports education.
During the engagement, the UEW delegation, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, discussed potential areas of cooperation. The delegation emphasised the need for improved sports facilities and infrastructure, which would enhance the training of sports professionals and promote sports development in Ghana.
Mrs. Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah, Acting Registrar of UEW, conveyed the university’s congratulations to Honourable Kofi Adams on his recent appointment as the Minister for Sports and Recreation. She articulated the university's commitment to collaborating with the Ministry to advance sports development across Ghana.
She highlighted UEW’s significant contribution to training sports professionals, including athletes, coaches, and administrators. She proudly noted that the university’s graduates are found in almost every educational institution across the country, playing vital roles in sports and education. She underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships between UEW and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, noting that mutual support would be beneficial in advancing the sports sector in Ghana.
“We believe a lot can be done together in terms of partnership. The ministry can support us, and we can also provide services that contribute to the growth of sports in the country. We can, on that basis elevate the level of sports in Ghana by working together,” she affirmed.
Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, Dean of the Faculty of Health, Allied Sciences and Home Economics Education (FHASHEE) at UEW, called for the integration of the National Sports College (NSC) into the UEW to enhance sports education, research, and infrastructure development. His proposal aligns with the government's manifesto commitments to improve sports facilities and upgrade UEW’s sports college into a fully-fledged sports university.
He referenced key provisions in the government’s manifesto that prioritise sports development. He cited point four, which emphasises the construction of multi-purpose sports facilities to promote regional sporting events, and point six, which focuses on upgrading the National Sports College into a specialised sports university offering training programmes in sports medicine, science, and management.
“It is on this basis that we propose integrating the National Sports College within UEW to establish a high-performing sports centre within the university,” Prof. Sarpong stated. He further highlighted that UEW had already initiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NSC to collaborate on technical training and resource utilisation, a partnership that could be expanded through the proposed integration.
Prof. Sarpong underscored the importance of merging education and sports development, noting that the proposed integration would address the current lack of human resources and curriculum required for awarding degrees and professional qualifications in sports-related fields. He also revealed that UEW, in collaboration with the Ghana Olympic Committee, had established an Olympic Research Centre within the university to advance sports research and community development.
Highlighting UEW’s upcoming role as the host of the 2026 Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) Games, Prof. Sarpong stressed the need for improved sports infrastructure. He proposed the construction of an ultra-modern sports stadium at UEW, which could serve as a training facility for university athletes, national teams, and individual sports professionals.
Hon. Kofi Adams affirmed the government's commitment to supporting sports education and infrastructure development. He acknowledged the significant role UEW has played in training sports teachers and professionals who contribute to the education sector and national sports teams.
The Sports Minister noted that while the government’s initial plan was to create a standalone sports university, the proposal would be carefully considered. “We have taken note of your proposal, and though it is early days, we will factor it into our discussions. I will raise it at the upcoming cabinet meeting where His Excellency, the President, will receive initial comments from the newly established ministries,” he assured.
Hon. Adams further emphasised that UEW would be instrumental in the establishment of the sports university, regardless of the final approach. He affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that higher education institutions have modernised facilities. “If we want to achieve our goal, we must start almost immediately. Even if the merger does not happen, we will support UEW in acquiring standardised facilities to aid the training of athletes,” he stated.
The Sports Minister also lauded UEW for securing the hosting rights for the GUSA Games in 2026, describing it as a strategic opportunity to prepare for Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary in 2027. He expressed confidence that the ministry would collaborate with the university to make the event successful.
The delegation had the honour of meeting with the new Minister of Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza, to engage in a constructive dialogue on the current condition of campus roads.
These meetings mark a significant step towards strengthening the partnership between UEW and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation as well as the Ministry of Roads and Highways. As UEW continues to prioritise sports development, this collaboration is expected to yield positive outcomes for sports education and talent development in Ghana.
