There has been a call on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to consciously coax some sports men in the country into Sports journalism in a quest to develop the nation through sports.
The Member of Parliament of the Odododiodoo Constituency, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, who was the minister for Youth and Sports in the John Mahama led administration has stated on the Beach Sports Radio program that sports pundits in the country must eschew emotions and sensationalism in all their presentations either on-air, online or off-air.
Speaking on the maiden edition of the Beach Sports Radio with Ekow Essilfie , aka The Ruler on Beach 105.5 FM in Takoradi, Nii Lante Vanderpuye said though emotions sometimes become part of sports presentations by most sports journalists in the country, "it is important for them to note that professional sports broadcasting has nothing to do with emotions and sensationalism".
"Sports is an objective subject; we look at facts, we look at issues and we look at situations in all its discussions while we make suggestions", he added.
According to the former Minister of Sports, sports naturally strives on development, management and promotions; and just like in every other economy in the world, sports for that matter cannot effectively be developed and promoted extensively if the role of sports media is neglected.
Lamenting on the flaws of Sports Journalists in the country, Nii Lante Vanderpuye emphasized that, there should be critical thinking to make sure that the development of sports in Ghana is not centered on only technical and managerial levels, but "we must consider the development of the sports media i.e. the Sports Journalism as well".
"The people who will be marking the product for you, do not really understand what you are doing because you have not made them part of your thinking; and if people talk of the fact that we are not getting sponsors, this is one of the core reasons why our sporting disciplines are not attractive to prospective buyers".
Moving forward, there must be a good link between the Sports Writers Association in Ghana, the Ghana Journalist Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to see how best as a country, we can improve on the development of our sport media ensuring good reportage based on in depth understanding of the Sports Journalist.
Meanwhile, hon. Nii Lante Vanderpuye officially declared the Beach Sports Radio air-born on Monday, 1st October, 2018 being the first person to be called unto the program in less than 10 minute into the maiden edition of Beach Sports Radio on Beach 105.5 FM with the host, Ekow Essilifie the Rulers.