Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, Member of Parliament for Odododiodio Constituency, has pledged to reform and revitalize Ghana’s sports sector if appointed Youth and Sports Minister under the incoming John Mahama administration.

Vanderpuye, who served as Sports Minister in 2016, expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of Ghanaian sports, promising decisive action to address its challenges.

“If I become the Minister of Sports in 2025, I will sanitize the sports sector once again,” he told Joy Sports.

“I am not happy with the things going on. I am not happy.”

The former minister highlighted issues within Ghanaian football, criticizing the influence of individuals exploiting the sport for personal gain at the expense of players and investors.

“There are a lot of things going on in our football that require bold steps to sanitize the system,” he said. “Football should benefit those who play it and invest in it, not businessmen and opportunists who treat footballers like poultry chickens, using them whenever they desire for their own gain.”

Vanderpuye emphasized the importance of creating an environment where athletes and genuine stakeholders thrive, ensuring football’s growth and integrity.

A former footballer and sportsman himself, Vanderpuye underscored his commitment to safeguarding athletes from exploitation.

“I have been a footballer before, and I will fight against anyone who desires to exploit any sportsman,” he affirmed.

The current Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, has faced criticism over the declining performance of Ghanaian sports under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

The Black Stars, Ghana’s national football team, have struggled in recent years, failing to progress beyond the group stage of any international tournament since their Round of 16 finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Vanderpuye’s vision includes restoring the glory of Ghanaian sports by prioritizing reforms, addressing exploitation, and fostering a thriving environment for athletes and stakeholders.