Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams is urging Ghana to approach the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a mindset far beyond participation, framing the tournament as an opportunity to advertise the nation’s long-term ambition of hosting football’s biggest event.
Speaking at the Jubilee House on Wednesday during the swearing-in of an 11-member Inter-Ministerial Oversight Committee, Adams stressed that Ghana’s conduct, on the pitch, in administration, and in overall visibility, will play a major role in shaping perceptions of the country’s readiness for a future hosting bid.
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The newly constituted committee features a blend of football icons, government officials, and key administrators, including Abedi Pele, Foreign Affairs Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe, and GFA President Kurt Okraku. Their mandate: harmonize Ghana’s preparation for the expanded global showpiece and ensure the country presents a unified, strategic front throughout the tournament.
Adams, who has long championed the idea of a joint West African World Cup, particularly with Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, said Ghana must lean heavily on lessons learned from previous global engagements to shape its approach this time.
“Experiences of the past, both positive and negative, will guide us into the future, ensuring that we do not just go to kick the ball, but that by the time the whole process ends, Ghana will emerge as one of the biggest winners,” Adams said.
He added that beyond football, Ghana’s broader conduct at the tournament will influence how the world perceives the country’s institutional strength:
“The World Cup will be an interesting stage. We will go there and make Ghana and Africa proud, so that when we bid to host in the future, we will be seriously considered because of the strong role we played.”
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The Black Stars secured qualification in convincing fashion and are set for their fifth World Cup appearance, joining 47 other nations in Canada, the United States, and Mexico in 2026.
