Former Ghana President and NDC flagbearer John Mahama has announced that sports will be a key component of his vision for a 24-hour economy.

Mahama’s policy aims to modernize Ghana’s economic framework to meet the demands of the globalized 21st century, emphasizing round-the-clock operations for businesses, services, and industries to maximize productivity and efficiency.

Addressing the lack of world-class sports facilities in Ghana, Mahama stressed the need for improvement. “We don’t have a world-class standard Sports Stadium. I have been to several countries to watch matches and have seen what top-tier facilities look like. Wembley Stadium, for instance, is of a different class from what we have here,” he stated at the Meet the Press event held on Sunday.

He explained that hosting major events often drives the construction of high-standard stadiums, as countries see the opportunity for significant returns on their investment. However, given the current economic crisis, Mahama was cautious about making immediate promises.

“I will not stand here and promise that we will build a new stadium immediately, but under the Big Push initiative, we intend to spend a significant amount over five years on infrastructure. This includes roads, bridges, agro-industrial parks, and potentially sports facilities.”

Mahama highlighted the importance of sports in a 24-hour economy, noting how other countries benefit from nighttime sports events. “In many countries, sports play a crucial role in the 24-hour economy. You find games being played at night, which boosts various sectors, from entertainment to local businesses. We need to enable similar opportunities in our part of the world.”

As Mahama continues to outline his plans, it is clear that he views sports as a vital component of Ghana’s future economic development, with the potential to transform the nation’s infrastructure and boost its global standing.

The former president is set to run in the December polls as the leading candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), seeking a second term in office.