The Acting Deputy Director of Sports of the Ghana Police Service, ASP Benjamin Amissah, has urged Ghana’s youth to take sports seriously as a means of promoting healthy lifestyles, discipline and personal development.
He said active participation in sports could help keep young people away from social vices that have the potential to derail their education, careers and future aspirations.
ASP Amissah made the call when he represented the Director of Sports of the Ghana Police Service, ASP Bernice Rashidatu Timbilla, at the launch of the Tampico Accra Inter-City Marathon in Accra.
He encouraged young people to make physical activity part of their daily lives, stressing that sports should not be viewed solely as a means of earning a living or winning medals, but also as an important investment in good health and responsible citizenship.
According to him, the increasing challenges confronting the youth made it necessary for stakeholders to provide them with positive avenues through which they could develop their talents and occupy their time productively.
“Sports can play a major role in shaping the character of the youth. When young people engage in sporting activities, they develop discipline, teamwork, perseverance and a sense of responsibility,” ASP Amissah said.
He also encouraged Ghanaians of all ages to participate in the Tampico Accra Inter-City Marathon, describing it as an initiative capable of contributing significantly to the promotion of fitness and healthy living.
The 2026 edition, scheduled for Saturday, October 10, is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants, including elite athletes, recreational runners, schools, fitness clubs and corporate organisations. The event will feature 21-kilometre and five-kilometre races, with the race starting and finishing at the Trust Sports Emporium (Bukom Boxing Arena).
ASP Amissah commended the organisers and headline sponsor, Tampico, for investing in an initiative that brings together sport, health and community engagement.
He said the success of such an event would require the collective support of government agencies, corporate Ghana, sports federations, security services and the general public.
ASP Amissah used the occasion to highlight the contribution of the Ghana Police Service Sports Directorate, under the leadership of ASP Bernice Rashidatu Timbilla, to the identification, development and promotion of sporting talent in the country.
He explained that the Police Service had over the years provided opportunities for talented sportsmen and women to combine their sporting careers with professional service, thereby helping athletes to develop their potential while contributing to national development.
The Ghana Police Service has continued to strengthen its sporting structures and participation across various disciplines. In 2026, for instance, the Service has been involved in efforts to strengthen its athletics base and prepare athletes for major international competitions. The Police have also expanded their sporting interests, including the introduction of bowls as part of preparations for international competition.
The Service’s commitment to sports development has also extended beyond competition. In 2025, it appointed 16 Regional Sports Security Officers to coordinate sports security operations across the regions, particularly for Ghana Football Association-sanctioned competitions.
ASP Amissah said such initiatives demonstrated the important role the Police could play not only in maintaining law and order but also in nurturing disciplined and responsible sportsmen and women.
He stressed that the development of sports talent required a deliberate partnership between sporting bodies, educational institutions, security agencies, corporate organisations and communities.
The Tampico Accra Inter-City Marathon has already received the endorsement of Ghana Athletics, the governing body for athletics in Ghana.
Ghana Athletics has pledged technical support for the October race and is expected to introduce an electronic timing system at the event for the first time. The system is intended to improve the accuracy of race results, prevent cheating and assist outstanding athletes in meeting requirements for participation in international competitions.
Since its inception in 2022, the Accra Inter-City Marathon has grown into an important road-running event, promoting distance running, fitness and community participation.
With Tampico coming on board as headline sponsor, the 2026 event is expected to further strengthen the marathon’s position on Ghana’s sporting calendar. Organisers have described the occasion as “Tampico Day”, with the broader objective of promoting health, fitness and community engagement through sport.
ASP Amissah therefore appealed to corporate Ghana, sporting institutions and individuals to support the marathon and similar initiatives that use sport as a tool for building healthier, more disciplined and productive communities.
He said the Ghana Police Service, through its Sports Directorate, remained committed to supporting initiatives that promoted sports development and helped young people discover and maximise their talents.
The call, he added, was for Ghanaians to make sports and physical activity an integral part of their lives, while encouraging the youth to stay focused on productive pursuits and avoid activities that could compromise their future.
