The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, has announced government’s plans to integrate Scrabble into Ghana’s National Recreation and Wellness Programme, making it accessible across Districts and Regions.
He made this announcement at the 2025 World English-Language Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) which kicked off in Accra on Wednesday, bringing together approximately 150 players from 28 countries in a celebration of wordplay and intellect.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to promoting mind sports, including Scrabble, as part of its inclusive sports development agenda emphasizing that the game fosters critical thinking, vocabulary development, emotional intelligence as well as discipline among players.
Describing the game as “a convergence of brilliant minds and a celebration of intellect and language”, the minister said the transformative role of Scrabble is beyond entertainment therefore commended the efforts of the Scrabble Association of Ghana(SAG) for elevating the sport’s profile nationally, including its recognition as a demonstration sport during the 13th African Games.
He revealed ongoing collaborations with the Ministry of Education to entrench Scrabble into the school curriculum, aiming to develop sharper, more analytical students while supporting literacy and learning outcomes, nurturing critical thinking and creativity among young people, adding that the government would ensure equitable investment and visibility for both physical and intellectual sports.
He also urged media outlets to spotlight stories of young champions and educators using Scrabble to inspire national pride and societal value and extended an invitation to visitors to explore Ghana beyond the tournament, visiting historic sites, enjoying local cuisine, and embracing the country’s vibrant culture.
The President of SAG, Haruna Adamu, expressed gratitude and pride at the opening of the event, recalling how the idea to host the championship in Ghana began as a simple conversation a year earlier and commended the collaborative effort that made it a reality.
WESPAC 2025 Taking place from Wednesday, November 12 to Sunday, November 16, the championship would see competitors battle for top honours across multiple events, including the Akwaaba (Early Bird) Challenge, Sika (Gold) Challenge, WESPAC Main Challenge, Sankofa Challenge, and Adinkra Challenge.
Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD
