Accra Street Journal Report Highlights the Business of Sports and Ghana’s Youth Economy
A new analysis by the Accra Street Journal (ASJ), a digital news platform founded in Accra on 5th February 2025 by the digital media entrepreneur Samuel Kwame Boadu, is calling for more recognition of sports as a driver of Ghana’s youth economy. Drawing on insights from the IMF and World Bank, the report argues that sports is not only entertainment, but also a key part of the informal and creative sectors that sustain livelihoods for thousands of young Ghanaians.
Sports in Ghana — from football on dusty pitches to athletics in local communities — is often viewed as purely recreational. Yet, according to the World Bank, the wider creative and informal economies account for more than 80% of employment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Accra Street Journal’s report suggests that Ghana’s sports culture forms part of this ecosystem, generating opportunities for vendors, event organizers, local clubs, and aspiring athletes.
“Street football, community leagues, and informal coaching are more than hobbies — they represent an untapped economic engine,” said Samuel Kwame Boadu, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Accra Street Journal. “We launched ASJ to shed light on overlooked realities like this, where sports and business intersect to shape the future of Ghana’s youth.”
Founded alongside Accra Sports News, ASJ was established to deliver fact-based, street-smart journalism on issues ranging from business and governance to health, lifestyle, and culture. The Journal operates under SamBoad Publishing, part of SamBoad Business Group Ltd, with a mission to amplify authentic African voices and challenge the status quo with practical insights.
The report points out that during major football tournaments, for example, informal vendors selling jerseys, food, and mobile money services see significant boosts in income. Similarly, community-level sports create ripple effects across hospitality, transportation, and small-scale advertising.
Citing the IMF’s call for inclusive growth policies, Accra Street Journal recommends that Ghana integrate grassroots sports into youth development strategies. By supporting microfinancing for sports-related businesses, formalizing community leagues, and leveraging public-private partnerships, the government could unlock new jobs and strengthen the informal economy.
“Sports is a street economy as much as it is a national pride,” Boadu added. “Ignoring this sector means ignoring thousands of young people whose futures depend on it.”
With Ghana continuing to invest in infrastructure and talent for international sports, Accra Street Journal’s findings underscore the need to connect these efforts to the everyday realities of Accra’s streets.
Ghsportsnews (ghsportsnews.com) is a prominent digital sports news platform based in Accra, Ghana, that has been in operation since 2020