By Maxwell Awumah, GNA
Ho, April 10, GNA-Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister has urged the masses to perceive sports not as just an activity but as a tool for transformation to drive growth, improve well-being and unite the people.
In this vein, he said the government intended to build a multi-purpose facility in the Volta region, to promote school and grassroots sports.
Additionally, it intends to develop and construct a FIFA category two stadium and again identify and nurture talents through school and grassroots sports secretariat.
Mr Gunu disclosed these during the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SSEM) of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) to mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP).
It was on the theme, “Sport and Exercise for Economic Growth, Recreation and Healthy Nation.”
He said the government placed strong emphasis on inclusive growth and youth empowerment with the 24-Hour Economic policy presenting a unique avenue for the sports sector.
“From fitness centres and recreational parks to organised sporting events, there is real potential to create sustainable jobs which promotes healthy living.”
He said opportunities such as youth-focused employment and skills programmes that supported management propelled increased attention to preventive healthcare, with exercise playing a key role, with private sector partnerships to expand sports and recreational infrastructure.
The Regional Minister exhorted students of the future of sports not only on the field but in science, health, business, and innovation within the sports enclave, and pledged the coordinating council’s support.
“We are committed to supporting initiatives that promote active lifestyles, especially among the youth. We will continue to encourage school and community sports, while working with institutions like UHAS to align sports with health and economic development.”
Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of UHAS said the University was the only notable one undertaking a sports and exercise medicine as a course in the country and beyond and training unique health professionals with skills and knowledge to deliver services for individuals, who were healthy or who have symptoms.
She said SSEM-UHAS had become a professional hub dedicated to advancing athlete performance, sports injury rehabilitation, physical health, and well-being tailored through rigorous academic and practical training for excellence.
“Our expectation is to have graduates from this programme being able to access, diagnose and prescribe or provide services that could keep individuals healthy, what food is consumed for mental stability and perform better to optimise human life.”
“We are training health professionals like in other fields that could provide immediate intervention in the area of sports, when there are injuries, or any emergencies. There are several areas that sports and exercise medicine graduates can excel in the local and global space.”
“We are not training physical education officers, but health professionals related to sports medicine,” she added.
Prof Aziato said the University was upbeat for a state-of-the-art stadium, equipped with sports laboratories and gadgets for diagnostic purposes towards fulfilling and augmenting its practical segment for training students.
Prof Nii Korley Kotei, Dean of School of Sports and Exercise Medicine said SSEM-UHAS joined the global community in recognising the extraordinary power of sports, not merely as competition or regulation, but as a unifying force that transcends bodies, cultures, and differences.
This year’s celebration, which fell on April 6, was celebrated on April 9, due to the Easter festivities.
He said SSEM-UHAS remained the first, only sports ecosystem as an academic institution, adding that, “We have a unique responsibility. We must continue to promote not only excellence in education, but also holistic development.”
Mr Dela Gbeve, the Chair of Eastern, Oti and Volta regions branch of Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) said the collaboration between AGI and UHAS has come to stay spanning its initiative to establish the annual Volta Corporate Games.
He said AGI recognised the role sports played in promoting peace and development and towards promoting tourism in the region and asked for the inclusion of Beach soccer and recently regatta at Keta.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei