Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has vowed to overhaul and sanitize Ghana's sports sector if he is reappointed to the position in the John Mahama administration. Vanderpuye, who previously held the role in 2016, expressed his frustration with the current state of sports under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, citing mismanagement and exploitation within the system.
Speaking to Joy Sports, Vanderpuye stated his commitment to reforming the sector, particularly Ghanaian football, which he believes has been plagued by corruption and exploitation. "If I become Minister of Sports in 2025, I will sanitize the sports sector once again," he said, emphasizing that the situation has become untenable.
He expressed dissatisfaction with how certain individuals within the sports industry exploit the game for personal gain, often at the expense of the athletes and investors who contribute their time and resources. Vanderpuye criticized those who treat footballers and the sport as mere commodities, using them for their own financial benefit rather than prioritizing the well-being of the players.
“There are many things happening in our football that need urgent reform. We must take bold steps to cleanse the system,” Vanderpuye continued. “Football should be a sport for the players and investors, not businessmen who treat footballers like livestock, picking them up when convenient for their own gain.”
Vanderpuye, a former footballer himself, vowed to fight for the protection of athletes from exploitation. His experience in the sport gives him a unique perspective on the struggles faced by athletes and sports professionals in Ghana. “Having been a sportsman, I will stand against anyone trying to exploit our athletes,” he declared.
The current Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, has faced mounting criticism over the decline in the country’s sports sector. Under the NPP administration, the Black Stars have failed to make significant progress in international tournaments, notably being eliminated in the group stages in 2020 and after a Round of 16 finish in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Vanderpuye’s promise to sanitize the system reflects his desire to restore the integrity of Ghanaian sports, tackling the issues of corruption and exploitation head-on. If he is given the opportunity to serve again, he is determined to ensure that Ghana’s sports sector becomes a fairer, more successful environment for athletes and investors alike.
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