The Ministry of Youth and Sports has provided clarification regarding President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo’s commitment to Ghana’s Olympic Bronze medalist, Samuel Takyi, following his outstanding performance in 2020.
In preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers, Samuel Takyi expressed his desire to receive the promised amount of US$20,000 before joining the team.
During an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb, Bernard Quartey, the President of the Ghana Boxing Federation, revealed that Samuel Takyi had made certain requests, including inclusion in the Olympic Scholarship program, as a condition for his participation with the Black Bombers.
Nevertheless, the ministry confirmed that Takyi had already received $10,000 out of the pledged $20,000 from President Akufo-Addo.
According to the Sports Ministry, Takyi received both the $10,000 cash prize and a Nissan Sunny saloon car, valued at $20,000, on November 18, 2021.
Additionally, he collected $5,000 on December 16, 2022, and another $5,000 on July 27, 2023, which he claimed was intended to prepare him for the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers.
There remains an outstanding sum of $10,000 from the allocated $20,000 earmarked for Takyi’s personal growth, which will be provided to him upon the submission of an appropriate personal development plan.
Jojo Ephson, the Communications Director of the GBF, has stressed that the boxer has been adequately remunerated, having already received 50% of the promised reward.
Additionally, despite Takyi’s transition to a professional career, he expresses a desire to take advantage of Ghana’s Olympic Scholarship program, even though he may not meet the eligibility criteria.
“He wants to be part of the Olympic Scholarship because they get $9,000 as stipends. He came with that condition because he wanted to enjoy that scholarship. He has been given 50% of that money, which is $10,000,” Jojo Ephson told Angel FM.
The ministry also stated that Samuel Takyi remains a member of the Black Bombers team, which is currently preparing for the qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled for September 9–15, 2023.