Kofi Owusu Aduonum
5 September 2008
Ghana's two representatives in this year's paralympic games, Adjara Mohammed and Botsyo Nkegbe have managed to make it to Beijing, China to participate in this year's event despite the financial constraints that confronted them.
The two were accompanied by Coach George Ferguson, Dennis Armah, an official of the National Sports Council and Anthony Nii Armah of the Ghana Olympic Committee, left the country last Monday for the competition, courtesy the timely intervention of some benevolent individuals who offered financial support at the eleventh hour.
The team had struggled to raise money to participate in this year's competition after the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports had turned its back on the two, citing Ghana as a Wild card country therefore rendering her incapable to participate in the competition.
The Director of Sports for the Ministry of Education Science and Sports (MoESS), Dr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah stated in the August 28 edition of the Daily Graphic that his outfit cannot raise $90,000 to take care of the team's traveling expenses.
That publication stirred the sports wing of Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled (GSPD) to organize a press conference last Friday but their 'faint voice' was not loud enough to reach the Ministry.
Not perturbed by the Ministry's decision, 'manner' fell from Heaven and people like the Chief Executive of the National Sports Council, Mr. Prince Oduro-Mensah and others, moved by compassion, offered various financial assistance to ensure that they represent the nation.
If the assertion by the GSPD that Dr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah's decision was a calculated attempt to stifle their efforts, then the GSPD has every right to point accusing fingers at the sports Director.
What is worrying is that the Ministry's failure to fly the team to participate in the competition which starts from tomorrow to September 17, is in sharp contrast to government's attempt to discourage the disabled from begging from the streets.
Thankfully, revelations are that a committee has been set up to investigate what necessitated the MoESS to turn their back on the paralympic team.
There is every indication that Nkegbe, Africa's best time holder and one of the World's best, and Adjara Mohammed, 1500 metres African champion and a goal medal winner in the last All Africa Games, who have improved since, have what it takes to raising the flag of Ghana aloft in the competition.
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