26 Jan, 2026
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The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS) of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in collaboration with Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) hosted the Volta Fair Sports Development Forum 2025 on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at the Kofi Anyidoho Auditorium.
In her welcome address, Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, Registrar, UHAS said that the strength of any region ultimately depends on the health and resilience of its people. Whilst talent may be natural, nurturing it requires deliberate investment. She added that UHAS remains resolute to train the next generation of health professionals through innovative teaching, impactful research and a deep commitment to community well-being. Hence, UHAS remains intentional about sports, science and nutrition for national development with a vision to become a preeminent centre for research, training and practical solutions for sports injuries, while championing exercise as medicine across communities, she said.
Honourable James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister speaking on theme ‘Harnessing Healthy Regional Talent for Global Economic Growth and a thriving 24 Hour Economy: A Discussion on Sports, Health and Nutrition,’ said that sports is not only a recreational activity but a business that focuses on youth development, health promotion and an essential engine for national identity and economic opportunities. He mentioned that globally, countries have invested in sports strategically because they understand its abilities to transform lives, unite communities and create global brands out of local talents.
He acknowledged that the region has sports men and women which can compete for both national and international competitions but lack the needed infrastructure, investment and opportunities to shine. Hence, the forum creates a platform to bridge the gap and create systems with modern facilities that will help athletes to compete at the highest level. He also noted that his administration is committed to support sports in schools, improve recreation in community centres and collaborate with other stakeholders to develop modern infrastructure in the region.
The Guest Speaker and Head of Public Relations and Strategy, Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr. Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe, noted that despite the exceptional talent of athletes, creatives, scholars, entrepreneurs and innovators which has contributed to national excellence in the region, there is also the need to organise, refine and project this potential more strategically as the world moves into knowledge and talent-driven economy. He stated that talent is not enough; it must be harnessed, nurtured and linked to opportunities. Because, when we invest in young people through sports development, skill-building and deliberate capacity prepares them for a global impact, he said.
Mr. Armstrong-Mortagbe indicated that no nation can harness talent without investing in health, nutrition and sports which is a multi-billion-dollar industry. He added that a thriving sports economy will contribute directly to the 24-hour economy vision by aligning sports development with health and nutrition, we unlock powerful ecosystem to attract investment, tourism and global partnerships, he said.
Dean of School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS), UHAS, Professor Samuel Essien-Baidoo reiterated that in today’s rapidly evolving global sports landscape, talent alone is not enough. Hence, stakeholders must collectively develop athletes who are scientifically conditioned, nutritionally prepared, injury-resistant and professionally managed in the region. He mentioned that SAHS, UHAS is eager to partner with stakeholders and provide the needed support in various fields such as; nutrition and dietetics, physiotherapy, medical laboratory science, sports and exercise medicine. With this, the forum creates a strategic opportunity to institute the establishment of Regional Sports Health Monitoring Unit in UHAS for continuous athlete assessment and scientific support, he said.
The event ended with a Fire side chat on talent identification, scouting, grooming and holistic athlete care with Mr. Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe, Professor Nii Korley Kortei, Dean, School of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SSEM), Dr. Cosmos Yarfi, Lecturer, Department of Physiotheraphy and Rehabilitation Sciences, R.D. Nana Kofi Owusu, Lecturer, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, UHAS and Ms. Philippina Frimpong, Director of Sports, Volta Region.
Dr. Frank Appiah Kusi, Lecturer, SSEM in a communique presentation highlighted on a roadmap for Regional Sports for Economy Draft Policy and a proposal on Regional Sports Health Monitoring Unit at UHAS.
In attendance were Mr. Ernest Danso, Chef De Mission, 2026 Commonwealth Games, Scotland and 3rd Vice President of Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr. Dela Gadzanku, Regional President, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, President of Ghana Armwrestling Federation, students from Mawuli Senior High School and Taviefe Senior High School, staff, faculty and students from UHAS, sports administrators and members of the sports fraternity.