Mr Kofi Adams, Minister for Sports and Recreation, has held discussions with Mr. Abdulhadi Turus, President of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), during an official visit to the organisation’s headquarters in Ankara.

Mr. Turus outlined YTB’s international education initiatives, particularly the Türkiye Scholarships programme, which since 2011 has supported over 45,000 students worldwide.

He revealed that in 2025, YTB received 628 applications from Ghanaian students in fields including agriculture, engineering, international trade, and economics.

He further noted that scholarships can be aligned with the developmental needs of partner countries, complemented by Turkish language training and postgraduate opportunities.

Mr Adams commended YTB’s contribution to Ghana’s human capital development, stressing that Ghana–Türkiye relations, established in 1958, have been strengthened through purposeful cooperation.

He acknowledged the role YTB-trained professionals, such as interpreters and technical experts, play in boosting bilateral trade and development.

Turning to sports, Mr Adams proposed expanding scholarship opportunities into areas such as sports science, sports management, and recreation studies.

He explained that under the leadership of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the government is reviving school sports, and advanced training opportunities in Türkiye will be crucial in preparing the next generation of Ghanaian sports professionals.

In response, YTB welcomed the proposal and committed to broadening its scholarship offerings to include sports-related disciplines.

Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening educational and cultural cooperation while ensuring that future programmes align with Ghana’s national development priorities.