The Martisans Sports and Cultural Foundation (MSCF), a non-profit NGO in Accra, has called on all stakeholders to utilize sports as a means to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During a youth soccer event held at the Osu Salem Park over the weekend, Mr. Desmond Kwame Mantey, the CEO of Martisans Foundation, emphasised the potential of sports in raising awareness about all 17 UN SDGs. He stressed the importance of leveraging sports platforms to drive progress towards achieving these global goals.
UN SDGs
Mr. Mantey underscored that the UN SDGs, introduced as a means to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges, represent a universal commitment to transformative change.
He highlighted Paragraph 37 of the UN 2030 Agenda, which acknowledges the role of sports as a catalyst for sustainable development. Moreover, sports have been recognized as a valuable tool for assessing and implementing sustainability commitments worldwide.
Mr. Mantey also pointed out that sports offer a conducive environment to address gender disparities. He noted that by involving women and girls in sports initiatives, issues such as sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and female leadership can be effectively tackled.
Similarly, he said engaging men and boys through sports can facilitate discussions on a range of related topics, harnessing the popularity of sports to promote social inclusion and gender equality.
Powerful mechanism
Mr. Mantey emphasised that sports can serve as a powerful mechanism for achieving sustainable development and fostering a more equitable society.
He indicated that by promoting values like cooperation, respect, solidarity, and teamwork, sports contribute to enhancing people’s health and well-being, encouraging active and healthy lifestyles.
Mr. Mantey called upon all stakeholders within the sports industry to intensify their efforts in utilizing sports as a vehicle for youth development and advancing the SDGs in Ghana.
He urged collective action to harness the transformative power of sports in addressing pressing societal challenges and building a brighter future for all.
He reiterated that Martisans Sports and Cultural Foundation will continue to champion the integration of sports into sustainable development initiatives.
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