Administrator of the Ghana Sports Fund, Dr. David Kofi Wuaku, has called for greater investment in football development, describing the sport as a major economic industry capable of transforming Ghana’s economy through strategic talent identification and long-term development.
According to Dr. Wuaku, football has evolved beyond recreation into a global business that generates wealth, creates employment and contributes significantly to national development in countries that invest in it effectively.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, July 21, Dr. Wuaku said his experience at the 2026 FIFA World Cup reinforced his belief that football holds enormous economic potential when backed by the right structures and policies.
“I also learned that football is not just a hobby or a fun game now. It is a whole industry that if a country can put their resources into it can change the fortunes of this country,” he said.
The Ghana Sports Fund Administrator, who previously worked in the financial sector, stressed that investing in the identification and development of young football talents would not only create career opportunities for individuals but also generate substantial economic returns for the country.
He cited Spanish football sensation Lamine Yamal as an example of the benefits of early talent identification and sustained player development, noting that successful footballers contribute significantly to their home economies through their earnings and global influence.
“Can you imagine that young guy at 19, how much money he’s sending back to his country?” Dr. Wuaku remarked.
He urged Ghana to adopt a deliberate and structured approach to scouting and nurturing young footballers from an early age, arguing that a robust football development system could transform the lives of many young people while strengthening the country’s economy.
“As a country, if we can pick talents and develop them over time, we are changing lives,” he added.
Dr. Wuaku’s comments form part of the Ghana Sports Fund’s broader vision of promoting sports as a driver of national development through sustained investment in talent identification, infrastructure and technical capacity.
The Fund believes that strengthening Ghana’s sports ecosystem will not only improve the country’s competitiveness on the international stage but also unlock new economic opportunities through the sports industry.
His remarks add to growing calls for Ghana to view sports—particularly football—not merely as entertainment, but as a strategic sector capable of generating employment, attracting investment and contributing to long-term economic growth.
Accra, Ghana — Administrator of the Ghana Sports Fund, Dr. David Kofi Wuaku, has called for greater investment in football development, describing the sport as a major economic industry capable of transforming Ghana’s economy through strategic talent identification and long-term development.
According to Dr. Wuaku, football has evolved beyond recreation into a global business that generates wealth, creates employment and contributes significantly to national development in countries that invest in it effectively.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, July 21, Dr. Wuaku said his experience at the 2026 FIFA World Cup reinforced his belief that football holds enormous economic potential when backed by the right structures and policies.
“I also learned that football is not just a hobby or a fun game now. It is a whole industry that if a country can put their resources into it can change the fortunes of this country,” he said.
The Ghana Sports Fund Administrator, who previously worked in the financial sector, stressed that investing in the identification and development of young football talents would not only create career opportunities for individuals but also generate substantial economic returns for the country.
He cited Spanish football sensation Lamine Yamal as an example of the benefits of early talent identification and sustained player development, noting that successful footballers contribute significantly to their home economies through their earnings and global influence.
“Can you imagine that young guy at 19, how much money he’s sending back to his country?” Dr. Wuaku remarked.
He urged Ghana to adopt a deliberate and structured approach to scouting and nurturing young footballers from an early age, arguing that a robust football development system could transform the lives of many young people while strengthening the country’s economy.
“As a country, if we can pick talents and develop them over time, we are changing lives,” he added.
Dr. Wuaku’s comments form part of the Ghana Sports Fund’s broader vision of promoting sports as a driver of national development through sustained investment in talent identification, infrastructure and technical capacity.
The Fund believes that strengthening Ghana’s sports ecosystem will not only improve the country’s competitiveness on the international stage but also unlock new economic opportunities through the sports industry.
His remarks add to growing calls for Ghana to view sports—particularly football—not merely as entertainment, but as a strategic sector capable of generating employment, attracting investment and contributing to long-term economic growth.
