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President Mahama urged to build National Esports Arena

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, September 20th 2025 at 5:12 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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President Mahama Urged to Build National Esports Arena: A Call to Catalyse Ghana’s Digital Future

In a spirited appeal that has already sparked conversations across Ghana’s tech and sports circles, a coalition of esports enthusiasts, youth leaders and industry experts has urged President Mahama to invest in a National Esports Arena. The plea, which appeared on GhanaWeb’s Sports Archive on 27 March 2024, argues that the country’s burgeoning digital‑gaming scene deserves a dedicated hub that would not only elevate Ghana’s standing on the global esports map but also deliver tangible socio‑economic benefits to the nation’s youth.

The Current Landscape of Esports in Ghana

Esports is a fast‑growing segment of Ghana’s digital economy. While the country has made notable strides in broadband expansion, mobile penetration and fintech, the infrastructure for competitive gaming remains largely informal. Many players congregate in makeshift “gaming houses,” university campuses or internet cafés, where connectivity is unreliable and space is limited. According to the article, Ghanaian gamers have repeatedly expressed that they lack a venue that meets international standards for training, tournaments and broadcasting.

The article references the Ghana‑based Ghana Esports Association (GESA), which has been at the forefront of lobbying for better facilities. GESA’s executive director, Mr. Kofi Adjei, is quoted in the piece as saying, “We are not just looking for a stadium; we are looking for an ecosystem that can nurture talent, create jobs and position Ghana as a regional esports hub.”

Why a National Esports Arena Matters

The article lays out several key arguments in favour of a dedicated esports venue:

1. Skill Development and Youth Empowerment
   Esports offers a pathway to high‑skill, high‑pay jobs in game design, streaming, analytics, and event management. A state‑of‑the‑art arena would provide professional coaching and workshops that would upskill a generation of tech‑savvy Ghanaians.

2. Job Creation and Economic Diversification
   The construction and operation of an arena would create both direct and indirect employment opportunities—ranging from engineers and event coordinators to marketing professionals and hospitality staff. In the longer term, it could attract international sponsorships, tourism and media rights deals.

3. Public Health and Social Inclusion
   By providing a regulated, safe environment for competitive play, the arena could reduce the risk of health problems associated with unsupervised, prolonged gaming sessions and curb the social isolation that often accompanies informal gaming setups.

4. Digital Infrastructure and Innovation
   A national venue would serve as a testbed for cutting‑edge connectivity solutions, such as 5G, cloud streaming and AI‑driven analytics—technologies that have broader applicability in Ghana’s digital economy.

The article also cites examples from other African countries that have embraced esports infrastructure. South Africa’s “Esports Arena” in Johannesburg and Kenya’s “Tiziano Arena” are highlighted as models that have driven economic growth and attracted international tournaments.

The Political Context

President Mahama—who has repeatedly championed the “Digital Economy 2030” initiative—has expressed support for tech‑driven youth programs. However, critics argue that the country’s focus has remained skewed toward fintech and mobile banking, leaving the esports sector under‑funded. The article underscores this perceived disconnect by quoting a senior member of the Ghana Ministry of Youth and Sports: “We’re ready to collaborate, but we need a clear roadmap and a concrete commitment from the executive branch.”

It also notes that MTN Ghana and Vodafone Ghana have expressed interest in sponsoring esports events, but lack a permanent venue to channel these resources.

The Call to Action

The appeal, as summarized in the article, is both a plea and a proposal. It recommends the following steps:

1. Formation of a National Esports Task Force
   Including representatives from GESA, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Communications Authority, and private sector partners.

2. Site Selection and Feasibility Study
   Proposing Accra’s East Legon or Tema as potential locations, given their proximity to major universities and corporate hubs.

3. Funding Mechanism
   Blending government budget allocations, private‑sector sponsorships, and international development grants (e.g., from the World Bank’s “Digital Skills for Youth” programme).

4. Phased Development
   Starting with a 4,000‑seat arena that can host local tournaments, expanding over five years to include a dedicated training centre, broadcasting studio and hospitality suites.

The article ends on a hopeful note, quoting Mr. Adjei: “With your leadership, President Mahama, Ghana can become the premier esports destination in West Africa.”

Further Reading and Resources

The article provides links that offer additional context for readers who wish to explore the topic in depth:

• Esports (Wikipedia) – an overview of the global industry and its economic impact.
• Mahama (Wikipedia) – background on the president’s tenure and policy priorities.
• Digital Economy and Development Programme (DEDP) – Ghana’s initiative to integrate digital skills into national development plans.
• Ghana Esports Association (GESA) – the organisation spearheading the advocacy for a national arena.

These resources help readers appreciate the broader ecosystem in which the call for an esports arena sits.

Bottom Line

The article paints a vivid picture of an industry at a crossroads. On one hand, Ghana’s youthful, tech‑inclined population is poised to tap into the global esports economy. On the other, the lack of formal infrastructure risks ceding opportunities to other African nations that have already begun to monetize their gaming talent. By urging President Mahama to champion the construction of a National Esports Arena, the article argues that Ghana can harness a new wave of digital innovation, create jobs, and cement itself as a leader in the 21st‑century economy.

Whether the government will heed the call remains to be seen, but the advocacy has certainly put the conversation back on the national agenda—an essential first step toward turning the digital dream into reality.