SPEECH ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL SPORTS AUTHORITY YAW AMPOFO ANKRAH DURING THE 2025 ELECTIVE AGM OF THE GHANA RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION (GRFU) AT THE LABADI BEACH HOTEL, ACCRA ON MARCH 17 2025.
Honorable members of the Ghana Rugby Union, representatives of Rugby Africa, World Rugby, esteemed government officials, distinguished guests, and all stakeholders of rugby in Ghana.
I am Yaw Ampofo Ankah the Acting Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) and I welcome all of you here today especially Mr. David Gilbert of Rugby Africa, who’s acknowledged by World Rugby here as an observer.
I also Acknowledge the presence of Mr. Denver winners from World Rugby and Mr. Joseph Kalanzi from World Rugby. We’re also happy about the presence of Robert Waller from Rugby Africa all of whom are here for the audit education skill set super week training.
We appreciate your role in developing the rugby game over the years in Ghana and in Africa.
The super week that you occasionally undertake In Ghana ensures constant training and education of coaches, referees, match officials, medics, and all those involved in rugby.
This shows the clear structure used by world rugby and rugby Africa in the development of rugby across the world.
We at the national sports authority encourage all other sports to have these regular programs which will ensure that sportsmen are protected in training and during competitions.
I also acknowledge the presence via Zoom of presidents of other Rugby unions from across Africa, as well as the presence of some of the most senior staff of Rugby Africa, and World Rugby also on zoom.
The participation of all of you is a clear signal of how seriously the global and continental governing bodies of rugby have taken today’s elective AGM in Ghana.
I extend the gratitude of the government of Ghana to Rugby Africa for its continuous support and guidance in ensuring that rugby in Ghana thrives. I also recognize World Rugby’s invaluable contributions, providing technical and strategic assistance that strengthens the foundation of our game. Together, these institutions play a crucial role in the development of rugby, not just in Ghana, but across the entire African continent.
I can also confirm that his Excellency president John Dramani Mahama is a strong believer in sports for the development of the youth as well as the country. His Excellency is committed to improving the sporting success of Ghana and returning sports like football back to its former glories. It is for this reason that His Excellency the President has created a ministry of youth development as a complement to the ministry of sports and recreation.
I have personally been involved in sports for my whole life. Indeed as the president of beach soccer and representative of super sports and other media houses in Ghana, I am deeply passionate about the growth of every sport in the country. But Rugby is more than just a sport; it is a powerful tool for youth development, education, and social inclusion. It teaches discipline, teamwork, and respect-values that are fundamental not only on the field but in life.
The Olympic tenants and those of World Rugby are totally aligned. And we note that in recent Olympic analysis, Rugby was rated one of the highest sports for global governance.
As a government, we are committed to supporting rugby’s growth at all levels-from grassroots to elite competition.
As a new director general of the national sports authority, it is my pleasure, not only to attend an elective annual general assembly of Ghana Rugby, but to attend it at a moment in history when the President of Rugby Africa, the continental governing body of the game is a Ghanaian, my own big brother Herbert Mensah.
A man some of us have worked with over the years on other sporting disciplines like soccer and have confidence in his ability to bring about enduring change not only at the continental level but also on the global arena of rugby.
The national sports Authority is responsible for the recognition, development and growth of all sports in Ghana. To date we have about 40 recognized sporting federations of which 24 are affiliated to the international Olympic organization. And Rugby is one of those Olympic sports in our country.
We at the NSA will continue to provide the necessary structures and policies that enable federations like the Ghana Rugby Football Union to flourish because Rugby has the potential to elevate Ghana’s presence on the international stage, and we are determined to see our teams compete and succeed at the highest levels.
This Elective General Assembly is not just a formality; it is a testament to the resilience, commitment, and passion we all share for the growth of this great sport in our country.
The NSA seeks to create the structures to support sports, but we are also responsible for ensuring that there is effective governance and management of all sports in line with the rules and regulations of their governing bodies in Africa and globally because sports can only grow in an environment of good governance, transparency, and accountability.
Over the past years, we have seen challenges in the administration of rugby in Ghana.
However, I want to emphasize that those challenges are not the defining story of our rugby future. Today marks a new chapter, a fresh start, and an opportunity to rebuild trust in our federation. The democratic process taking place today is an essential step towards restoring
stability and ensuring that Ghana Rugby is led by individuals who uphold the values of integrity, professionalism, respect and development.
We are aware of how emotional sports is. How passionate the stakeholders are, but we are also aware of our duties and responsibilities.
The fact that I am here along with representatives from World Rugby, rugby, Africa, various Federation presidents, stakeholders and members of the media is a confirmation that the due process has been followed and stakeholders are keen to ensure that the right thing is done.
Today marks a new chapter, a fresh start, and an opportunity to rebuild trust in our federation.
The democratic process taking place today is an essential step towards restoring stability and ensuring that Ghana
Rugby is led by individuals who uphold the values of integrity,
professionalism, and development.
I urge all and sundry to remember that this election is not about individuals; it is about the future of Ghana Rugby. It is about choosing leaders who will put the interests of the sport above personal ambitions-leaders who will work in partnership with Rugby Africa, World Rugby, and the Ghana government to reset governance of the game and implement sustainable development plans for rugby in line with the greater reset development agenda of the NDC government of his excellency John Dramani Mahama.
We acknowledge that the journey to this General Assembly has not been without difficulty.
Governance concerns led to necessary interventions that we at the NSA endorsed but these were made in the best interest of rugby. Let me assure you all:
• I have the assurance that this process will be conducted with fairness and transparency.
• The aim is to ensure that Ghana Rugby meets international standards and remains a respected member of the global rugby community.
• Moving forward, we must all work together to avoid governance issues of the past and ensure strong institutional leadership for the future.
This is a moment for unity. Regardless of today’s election results, I call upon all stakeholders – clubs, players, coaches, referees, administrators, and fans-to come together for the greater good of rugby. Rugby is a sport built on solidarity, and it is through collaboration, not division, that we will succeed.
Sports in Ghana and indeed in Africa has been challenged by leadership contest and related governance issues and we at the national sports authority shall continue to work hand-in-hand with continental bodies and global bodies to ensure equity, diversity, unity and inclusion.
The national sports Authority, just like the IOC believes that it is the stakeholders, the owners of clubs, distributed around the country, whose voice must be heard during elective AGMS like this.
The recent SGM held by 22 clubs in seven regions is a testimony to its inclusivity. The fact that training and education offices of Rugby Africa and World Rugby witnessed the previous SGM and have verified that all active rugby clubs over the past 2 to 3 years took part in the Ghana rugby sevens championship, the Ghana rugby 15 championship within the last six months is a confirmation that stakeholders have been cared for.
Indeed, the national sports authority is proud to have worked with both Rugby Africa, and the stakeholders of Ghana Rugby in staging and managing the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s sevens In Ghana which we are told was the best Rugby Africa competition for 2024. We also note that there is the newly built Rugby Park at the university of Ghana. Rugby also featured in the Africa games for the first time in 2024. And Rugby Africa is welcome to use our rugby stadium for all its future competitions.
It is also encouraging and I am proud as the D-G of the NSA that even though Ghana did not win a Rugby medal in the Africa games, the Ghana ladies in the last 12 months, have beaten global power houses, Madagascar and continental Giants Zimbabwe.
We also note with pride, the fact that Ghana, though underdogs of African rugby were able to beat the number two ranked side in Africa, Algeria in Kampala.
Indeed statistics show that Ghana rugby has been the most consistent team sporting event in Ghana over the last 10 years with Ghana women ranked seventh in Africa and Ghana men ranked 11th in Africa.
The NSA is prepared to work hand-in-hand with Ghana rugby and rugby Africa to develop the game further across the country to cover all 16 regions.
We note that at the last AGM held in 2020 there were only three regions playing rugby at the time.
We are impressed and acknowledge the fact that Rugby is now played in seven regions across Ghana. At the last SGM, Ghana rugby stakeholders voted on the floor to admit all new regions, whose clubs participated in both of the Ghana rugby championships.
Congratulations to you all.
The national sports Authority welcomes the fact that this is an election for change. And as the new director general of the national sports authority, I recognize all previous understandings between the national sports authority and Rugby Africa.
In declaring this AGM open, I also note from the agenda that the previous constitution is being followed and take note that there may be a constitutional review immediately thereafter.
We encourage all Federation to follow the lead of Ghana Rugby to ensure that elections are held with the endorsement of the governing bodies, the national sports authority and the stakeholders of the game.
We encourage the continuous auditing assessment of Sports to ensure that our investments as a country are in line with global policies.
Let this election mark the beginning of a new era where Ghana Rugby flourishes with strong leadership, structured development programs and increased participation at all levels. We want to see our national teams competing fiercely on the continental and global stage and making Ghana proud.
As we proceed with today’s election, I extend my best wishes to all candidates. May this process be conducted with fairness, respect, and a shared vision for the future.
To Rugby Africa and World Rugby, we appreciate your unwavering support, and we look forward to working together to elevate Ghanaian rugby.
I hearby declare the elective AGM for Ghana Rugby duly open.
Source: Ghana Talk News
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