The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has launched Ghana’s first-ever certificate course in sports psychology, calling for a greater emphasis on mental preparedness in sports training.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, aims to enhance the mental resilience of athletes and integrate psychological training into coaching and management.

At a ceremony held in Accra on March 24, 2025, Kofi Adams underscored the crucial role of psychology in athletic success.

He emphasized that mental preparedness is often the missing link in Ghana’s sports development.

“Sports cannot thrive without considering all its components. In the past, we neglected the mental conditioning of our athletes, but psychology plays a huge role in their success,” he stated.

He noted that psychological resilience has enabled para-athletes to excel despite their physical limitations and stressed that mental barriers often hinder otherwise talented athletes from performing at their best.

“Some athletes shine in training but struggle in competition due to psychological factors such as stage fright or intimidation by international competitors. If our trainers understand this and incorporate psychology into their work, our athletes will be better equipped to compete at the highest level,” he added.

The Acting Director-General of the National Sports College, Fuseini Bawa, highlighted the significance of the course, stating that while sports psychology is traditionally studied at the PhD level, this initiative offers a professional certification that is widely accessible.

“Ghana has never lacked talent or strategy, but we have often overlooked the psychological aspect of sports. This course is designed to change that,” he noted.

Bawa also urged sports federations and clubs to utilize the trained professionals, stressing that their knowledge should be put to practical use.

“If you send people for this training but fail to use their expertise, then what is the point? We want to ensure that the skills acquired here contribute meaningfully to sports development,” he emphasized.

The Acting Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, described the launch as a “historic moment” and pledged the NSA’s commitment to promoting sports psychology in Ghana.

The five-day program is being facilitated by Dr. Elvis Hagan Jnr. from Germany and Dr. Medina Srem-Sai from the University of Education, Winneba.

Participants will receive a professional certificate from the National Sports College, the only accredited institution in Ghana authorized to issue such qualifications.

AM/KA

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