In the vibrant tapestry of African sports and tourism, few figures shine as brightly as the Minister of Youth and Sports for the Republic of Ghana, Honourable Mustapha Ussif.
As the African Sports Tourism Award prepares to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the intersection of sports and tourism, there are few candidates as deserving of recognition as Hon. Ussif.
At the heart of his candidacy lies a deep commitment to leveraging sports as a catalyst for accelerated tourism development in Ghana.
With a visionary approach and unwavering dedication, Hon. Ussif has spearheaded initiatives that harness the power of sports to drive economic growth, promote cultural exchange, and showcase the rich heritage of Ghana to the world.
One of Hon. Ussif’s most notable achievements is his tireless advocacy for the integration of sports and development strategies.
Also recognizing the symbiotic relationship between the Sports and tourism, he has championed policies that promote sports events as key attractions for tourists, drawing visitors from around the globe to experience excitement of Ghana’s sporting culture firsthand.
Under his leadership, Ghana has emerged as a premier destination for sports tourism, hosting a diverse array of events that captivate audiences and create lasting memories.
Recently, under his leadership, Ghana hosted the 13th edition of the Iconic All African Games, Accra 2023, a continental sporting event at three main venues such as Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast thereby promoting destination Ghana as a whole.
Also, an international football tournaments up to marathon races and traditional sporting festivals have all been held in Ghana, all achieving same purpose of marketing Ghana as a viable tourism destination through sports.
According to the statement released to Pressmen,
Hon. Ussif has worked tirelessly to position Ghana as a hub for sporting excellence and tourism innovation.
Beyond the realm of events, the Minister has also focused on infrastructure development to support the growth of sports tourism in Ghana by completing state-of-the-art stadium at University of Legon, investing in new sports facilities and hospitality infrastructure.
He laid the foundation for a thriving sports tourism industry that offers world-class experiences to visitors from across the globe.
Moreover, Hon. Ussif’s efforts extend beyond the borders of Ghana, as he actively collaborates with other African nations as well as the African Union Sports Council to promote regional and continental cooperation in sports tourism.
By fostering partnerships and sharing best practices, he has helped to create a unified vision for the future of sports tourism in Africa, one that harnesses the collective potential of the continent to drive sustainable development and prosperity by signing MoU’s with various sports federations to develop and enhance sports development within the continent through the usage of the state-of-art facilities in Accra.
By virtue of his unrelenting resolve, the African Union has also declared Ghana as the Sports City for 2024, 2025 and 2026, signifying that relevance the country has in both sports and tourism spaces.
As the African Sports Tourism Award prepares to celebrate excellence, Hon. Mustapha Ussif stands out as a shining example of leadership and innovative personality.
His unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of sports for tourism development has not only transformed Ghana’s sporting landscape but has also inspired nations across Africa to embrace the transformative potential of sports tourism.
On the 25th of April, 2025, as the prestigious award ceremony unfolds at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja under the theme “Sports as a Catalyst for Accelerated Tourism Development in Africa,” there can be no doubt that Hon. Mustapha Ussif is a deserving recipient of the honor.
His visionary leadership and tireless dedication have not only elevated Ghana onto the global stage but also paved the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for sports tourism across the continent.