By Tilda Acorlor
Former Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) and Sports Editor at the Graphic Communication Group, Mr. Maurice Quansah, has urged sports journalists to “avoid pushing so much negativity to the front burner as it poisons the atmosphere and does not create the right environment for talent identification and investment”.
He noted that the economic benefits of highlighting the stories of the region’s sports heroes and helping to grow sports are enormous. He therefore charged the sports media to focus on reportage that will get duty-bearers and private investors to look at the Volta Region as a favourable and ideal place for investment in sports.
Mr. Quansah made these comments at the maiden Volta Fair Sports and Investment Summit and Awards in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital, put together by the organisers of the ongoing sixth Volta Trade and Investment Fair.
“The economic benefits of creating so much buzz around our heroes and helping to grow the sports are enormous. Through strong advocacy, we as the sports media can get duty-bearers, and private investors to look at the Volta Region favourably as an ideal place for investment in sports.”
“There’s so much to celebrate here, so we must avoid pushing so much negativity to the front burner as it poisons the atmosphere and does not create the right environment for talent identification and investment,” Mr. Quansah said.
The Sports Summit was themed, “Sports as an Economic Driver: Nurturing Talents and Investments for a Thriving AfCFTA Era.”
The Summit, which is the first of its kind since the inception of the Fair, serves as one of its many activities.
Mr. Quansah also encouraged sports journalists to tell their stories well and chronicle the sports histories of the region to serve as motivation for the upcoming generation.
“As sports journalists, we must tell our story well and chronicle our history to serve as motivation to the young talents that abound.”
“Through extensive coverage and effective storytelling, sports media will not only magnify these achievements but also inspire the younger generation to dream bigger and strive for excellence,” he said.
The event was graced by the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency, Virginia Palmer, and the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Yao Archibald Letsa, was the special guest of honour, with Togbe Adesa V, the Asafofia of Ho-Ahoe, chairing the event.
Other dignitaries present include the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Professor Tsumasi, and Chef D’ Mission of the 13th African Games, Accra 2023, Ernest Danso.
More than 120 participants attended the Sports Summit, including veteran sportsmen, sports administrators and managers, technical brains in sports, journalists, financial institutions, and students, among others.
Seventeen sports veterans, both men and women, were awarded for their immense contribution towards the development of sports in the region.
