Ghana’s National Amputee Football Team, known as the Black Challenge, has fervently appealed to the government for the payment of their bonuses.
Despite their triumph at the first Para African Games and advancement to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations, the team has yet to receive their promised bonuses and support.
This situation has led to growing unrest within the team, currently in Cairo for the Amputee AFCON.
The team’s predicament came to light during a visit from Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt, Lt. Gen. Obed Boamah Akwah (Rtd), who expressed his support and solidarity with the players ahead of their quarter-final match against Tanzania.
Representing President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo, the Ambassador encouraged the team to concentrate on winning the final match, underscoring the importance of their success for the nation.
Team captain Richard Arthur Opentil conveyed gratitude to the Ambassador but also voiced concerns regarding the team’s conditions.
“Despite winning two trophies for Ghana, we are yet to be adequately compensated. This lack of support from the government has affected our motivation and our ability to perform at our best for Ghana,” he lamented.
The players cited the example of the Angolan team, which received envelopes with cash incentives, while they didn’t even have water to share.
“We are disappointed in the government,” Opentil said. “But we are motivated and work to honor the President of the NPC Ghana and the African Paralympic Committee, Mr. Samson Deen, as he has provided all our needs with the support of the Amputee Football chairman, Mr. Foster Kwarteng.”