The Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to using sports development as a key strategy in addressing rising drug abuse among young people in the region.
The assurance was given when the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, paid a courtesy call on the Minister as part of a two-day working visit to the Upper West Region to engage sports stakeholders.
According to the Regional Minister, sports remain a powerful social tool capable of instilling discipline, teamwork and healthy lifestyles among the youth. “We are deliberately positioning sports as part of our response to the drug menace confronting our young people,” he said, stressing that infrastructure development is central to that vision.
Hon. Puozuing announced that former Black Stars player Malik Jabir has been tasked to develop a comprehensive proposal aimed at upgrading and expanding sports infrastructure across the region. The Minister described the move as a practical step toward creating sustainable facilities that can nurture talent and keep young people positively engaged.
In his remarks, Mr. Simeon-Okraku urged the Regional Minister to prioritize investment in sports facilities, noting that quality pitches and community facilities are essential for youth development. “Sports infrastructure is not just about buildings; it is about giving young people direction and opportunity,” the GFA President said.
He added that improved facilities would provide safe and productive outlets for young people, helping to steer them away from drugs and other social vices.
Mr. Simeon-Okraku further assured the Minister of the GFA’s readiness to support the initiative with technical expertise, particularly in football pitch construction and facility development. “We are committed to working with government to ensure these facilities meet proper standards and serve the long-term needs of the region,” he said.
The meeting highlighted a growing partnership between government and football authorities as the Upper West Region explores sports development as both a social intervention and a pathway for talent development.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
