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Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams, is set to take center stage at the 8th AIPS Africa Congress in Banjul, The Gambia.
Speaking on the high-level topic “The Role of Government in Africa Sports Development,” the Minister will address a gathering of regional leaders and international journalists.
The session will be chaired by H.E. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, signaling the immense political weight given to sports development on the continent this year.
A Ministerial Power-Table
The Congress serves as a rare opportunity for direct bilateral and multilateral talks between Africa’s sports policymakers. Hon. Kofi Adams will be joined on the panel and in private deliberations by:
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Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie: Minister for Youth and Sports, The Gambia.
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Hon. Shehu Dikko: National Sports Commissioner, Nigeria.
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Hon. Abdoul Kassim Ibrahim Fomba: Minister for Youth and Sports, Mali.
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Hon. Khady Gaye: Minister for Youth and Sports, Senegal.
The 2026 Agenda: Infrastructure and AI
While the Ministers focus on government's role in funding and policy, the wider Congress (February 6–9, 2026) is dedicated to the theme: “Digital Media, AI, and Ethical Journalism in Africa.” Key discussion points for the Ghanaian delegation include:
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Infrastructure Growth: Sharing the "Ghana Model" of regional sports stadium development.
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Athlete Welfare: Exploring a continental standard for post-career support and health insurance.
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AI in Sports Media: Training journalists to use Artificial Intelligence for data-driven reporting while maintaining strict ethical standards.
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Collaborative Funding: Investigating public-private partnerships (PPP) to reduce the burden of sports funding on national budgets.
Venue and Professional Growth
The event, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo, aims to provide sports journalists with a platform for professional growth. By protecting the rights of the press and promoting ethics, the AIPS continues to be the backbone of sports integrity in Africa.
The Bottom Line
Hon. Kofi Adams will represent Ghana in The Gambia this week, leading a ministerial dialogue on how African governments can better support sports infrastructure and athlete welfare in the age of AI.
