The Vice-President of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta-Mills on Monday said while some of the country's sportsmen and women have performed creditably well, Ghana's recent record at the international scene has not been too impressive. "We need to get to the bottom of the reason for this, whether they relate to planning, training, discipline, finance or other reasons, and take practical steps towards regaining our outstanding place among sporting nations".

The Vice-President was commissioning a new 900 million cedis 36-room block offices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Accra. The commissioning is the beginning of the ministry's weeklong meet-the-press and photo exhibitions.

Professor Mills also commissioned a media centre erected during the 22nd Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2000) at the Accra Sports Stadium where he opened a photo exhibition and artefacts at the stadium.

He noted that Sports is big business when properly managed and can provide the basis for local industries in the manufacturing of sports clothing and equipment and the creation of job opportunities.

"Sports is therefore an important social and economic force which we need to harness fully for national development", he added. Touching on the new sports bill, which is before parliament, the Vice President said it is aimed at re-establishing the National Sports Council in line with the 1992 constitution.

He said the anomaly of a chairman who is at the same time the chief executive and in effect giving himself directives and monitoring his own performance will be eliminated so that there can be a clear distinction between the governing body and the staff of the council.

Professor Mills said a number of commercial firms have been making commendable contributions to sports development by sponsoring events and programmes.

He said the private sector must however be encouraged to do more, both in the provision of infrastructure and equipment and in sporting activities. The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Enoch Teye Mensah regretted that most people treat his outfit as though it is not important.

He said a close look that the manifesto of the various political parties, only the National Democratic Congress has a comprehensive programme for the sector ministry. "If you don't know how to plan sports today, then you belong to the archives", he said.