Mahama Backs Black Queens, Targets Women Sports Revival
A renewed era for Ghanaian sports
When President John Dramani Mahama received the Black Queens at Jubilee House, it was more than a courtesy visit. It marked a renewed promise — to transform sports from an afterthought into a national pillar. On July 30, 2025, Mahama congratulated the women’s football team on their bronze medal win at the 2024 WAFCON. His pride was clear, but so was his ambition.
“You’ve made Ghana proud,” he told the team. Yet he challenged them to reach higher: “Come back next time with silver, or even gold.” That optimism reflects a deeper strategy — one that goes beyond cheers and medals.
Building facilities, building the future
Mahama’s sports vision isn’t just motivational. It’s material. He’s already moving to erase decades of infrastructure gaps. Through his “Big Push” initiative, he aims to construct modern stadiums in all six new regions: Western North, Oti, Savannah, North East, Bono East, and Ahafo. These areas lack basic facilities, leaving countless young talents unseen and unsupported.
But he’s not starting from scratch. Ten multi-purpose youth centers, abandoned under the previous government, are back on the table. Designed for training, community events, and sports development, these centers could anchor entire ecosystems of opportunity — from local leagues to international scouting.
Prioritizing sports in recruitment
Mahama’s boldest move yet may be his call for change in national recruitment. During the Black Queens’ visit, he directed Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak to prioritize athletes when filling roles in Ghana’s security services. For many sportsmen and women, this offers not just financial support but the flexibility to train, compete, and serve the nation all at once.
It’s a powerful shift — treating athletes as national assets, not just entertainers. Mahama’s logic is sound: when you support sports at the grassroots, the payoff isn’t just trophies; it’s discipline, unity, employment, and national pride.
Fixing football’s broken house
The President hasn’t forgotten the Black Stars, either. In his February 2025 State of the Nation Address, he criticized the team’s decline and called for stronger oversight of the Ghana Football Association. Mahama tasked Sports Minister Kofi Adams with enforcing transparency ahead of World Cup qualifiers. His message was clear — football must earn back public trust through results and integrity.
Ghanaians remember when the Black Stars inspired an entire continent. Mahama wants that fire back — but only if it’s built on fair play and good governance.
The bigger picture
What sets Mahama’s sports strategy apart is its integration. It’s not just about games or gymnasiums. It’s about national direction. Sports, in his view, must sit alongside education, health, and employment as tools of transformation.
This approach blends policy with passion — a rare mix. If executed well, it could unlock a golden generation of Ghanaian talent.
Final word
When Mahama backs the Black Queens, he’s backing every young Ghanaian chasing a dream with bare feet and boundless hope. His reforms offer more than applause — they offer access. His policies promise not just praise — but platforms.
And that’s what real leadership looks like when it believes in sports.
