It’s always disappointing, though not surprising, when journalists with influence choose dishonesty over objectivity. I chanced on a video of my good friend, Bismark Owusu Bempah, popularly known as Ayala, the head of sports at Nhyira 104.5 FM. He mounted his platform on Nhyira Power Sports to lavish praise on the NDC government for the Adesa Productions deal to manage the broadcast of the Ghana Premier League.

That's perfectly fine. If he believes Adesa’s involvement is a good step, so be it. But where he lost the plot was in his blanket assertion that the NPP government did “absolutely nothing” for sports. That claim was not only dishonest but a deliberate misrepresentation of facts. Or, best said, willful ignorance granting him the benefit of doubt.

Let’s set the record straight. The Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government did so much for sports which even his critics cannot undermine. Among some of them are;

1. BetPawa Sponsorship Was Brokered Under NPP

The Ghana Premier League’s $6 million sponsorship deal with betPawa was personally brokered by the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the leadership of Hon. Mustapha Ussif. This landmark deal wasn’t just about money, it was about credibility. It revived club financing and reignited public interest in the league after years of stagnation.

2. COVID-19 Direct Support to Clubs and Female Players

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Akufo-Addo-led government released GH¢900,000 as direct support to Ghana Premier League clubs. Each club received GH¢50,000 to cushion them through the suspension of football activity, a first of its kind. Even more remarkably. In addition to this, women’s league players were placed on monthly allowances through the Youth Employment Agency, with national team players (Black Queens) also receiving support.

3. RELEASE OF WORLD CUP PRIZE MONEY TO GFA FOR PRAMPRAM DEVELOPMENT

Unlike the 2010 and 2014 World Cups which the then Government took all prize money, the Akufo-Addo government, after the 2022 World Cup, released about $3m to the GFA for the FA to support the development of the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence at Prampram. This continued the NPP's legacy of releasing World Cup prize money to the GFA to support football development. The government of President Kufuor did the same in 2006.

4. Youth/Juvenile Football - KGL Foundation Sponsorship

The KGL foundation Juvenile football deal saw the injection of One Million USD for 5 years into the development of Juvenile/Colts football was the first of its kind and a historic sponsorship for the records. This deal was solely pushed by the Addo Dee government just like the BetPawa deal. The records are there for all to see.

5. DIRECT SUPPORT TO GHANAIAN CLUBS IN AFRICA

Again in football, the Akuffo Addo government extended direct support to clubs participating in CAF inter-club competitions with cash injections. The records are there to show for anyone who is honest enough to check.

5. INFRASTRUCTURE BOOM

a. Over 200 Astroturfs to support community and district-level

Talk of legacy and talk infrastructure. The NPP administration has constructed over 200 astroturf pitches across the country since 2017 to improve community sports infrastructure.

Before the assumption of office by the NPP administration in 2017, Ghana could only boast of 2 privately owned astroturfs, today it boasts of many and some even serve as host grounds for premier league teams, the lower league teams and even Women's football clubs. This was not just about beauty, but the opportunity of providing modern football grounds for schools, communities, and clubs, many of whom had previously trained on bare grounds.

b. University of Ghana Stadium:

The University of Ghana Stadium which started with funding from GETFUND which witnessed 20 years of neglect, now hosts premier league football and even international events. The UG stadium, did not only prioritised football, but also provided world-class athletics tracks and standard warm-up tracks for Ghana. The centre has now become a venue of choice in Africa and in the coming days, Africa's Athletics elite will assemble in Ghana.

c. Nationwide Renovation of Sports Stadia

From Baba Yara to Cape Coast, Accra Sports Stadium and even Essipong Stadium (which witnessed concerning delays) have seen major rehabilitation works under the NPP. The effort hasn’t been about Accra alone, but a deliberate policy to decentralize sports development and make regional centres competitive. Before the NPP assumed office in 2017, the Accra Sports Stadium, for instance, became a death trap, according to a 2015 AESL. The terrible state of the stadium forced SWAG, which I believe Ayaala is a member of, to issue a public press release to the then government to renovate the stadium to avert danger. This was not done until the Akufo-Addo government renovated it to pave the way for Ghana to host the WAFCON.

d. Regional Stadiums:

Ten 5,000-seater Youth Resource Centres were launched across regions, with facilities in Koforidua and Wa already operational. 4(Volta, Bono, Western and Central regions) were around 90% completion before the NPP left office. Unlike past governments, Akufo-Addo didn’t just promise, he built.

e. Borteyman Multipurpose Sports Complex

Sports development should be holistic and not just focused on football. And to prove this, the Akufo-Addo government extended its infrastructure drive to cover all sports. The Borteyman Sports Complex, built by the Akufo-Addo government, today has world-class multi-purpose facilities, including a standard, 10-lane swimming pool with a warm-up pool among others.

f. Renovation of Hockey Stadium

The Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government did not only concentrate on developing football. Under his leadership, the Theodosia Okoh National Hockey Stadium also underwent a comprehensive renovation to meet international standards. The upgrade ensured Ghana could host major international tournaments, including the 2023 African Hockey Olympic Qualifiers. The facility received improvements in turf quality, lighting systems, dressing rooms, and spectator seating, reaffirming Ghana's commitment to developing lesser-known sports like hockey and creating a home for local and international competitions.

g. Construction of Rugby Pitch at Legon

Rugby which happens to be one of the fastest-growing sports in Ghana, also received significant attention under the NPP administration. For the first time in our history, the government constructed a dedicated Rugby Pitch at the University of Ghana. The facility, built to international standards, supports Ghana’s national rugby teams and promotes the sport at the grassroots levels. This investment has positioned Ghana as a hub to host international rugby tournaments across the continent.

CONCLUSION: AYALA MUST BE A PROFESSIONAL JOURNALIST NOT A PROPAGANDIST

When Ayala stands on a national platform to say the NPP did “nothing,” it’s either he is being dishonest for political recognition or being selectively blind to the truth. Both of which are unacceptable for a journalist.

In the Ghana we are building, we cannot allow journalists to twist facts to gain political favour. Ayala’s rant was not an objective criticism, it was a well-calculated strategy to win favour from the NDC. Praise where praise is due, but don’t erase another administration’s record for cheap applause.

My good friend Ayala knows better, and if he doesn’t, then he has no business sitting behind the microphone spewing propaganda.

Ghana’s sports development is continuous and bigger than his bias. The records are clear and the records do not lie. The fans deserve the truth.

As the Akan saying goes, “Obinnim aa, Obi kyer3.” “Nkyire ma ne yen adansifuo.”

As a journalist, he should've either searched on the internet or consulted before spewing such disheartening misinformation.

Ayala, do better. The microphone is not for mischief.