Richard Obeng, coach of the Ghana’s Amputee National Team, the Black Challenge has openly addressed the demands from the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, for the team to provide an account of donations received from former President John Mahama and others.
In an interview on Akoma FM, as reported by Masemtvgh.com, Coach Obeng detailed the team’s expenditures and emphasized the vital support these donations offered. He mentioned that the funds from former President Mahama and other donors have already been utilized, but they are prepared to account for the expenditure.
“We have already allocated the money received from the donations. Upon our return, we stayed together as a team in Accra without any support,” Obeng explained. He noted that the donations were crucial for meeting basic needs during a period when the team had no logistical support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“The money was used for our upkeep, hotel bills, and transportation home. After receiving tickets, no further logistics were provided, so we relied on donors for our sustenance.”
“We will prepare the accounts and specify how the money was spent because it has already been used for our upkeep,” he added.
Background
On June 14, Masemtvgh.com reported that Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, expressed significant dissatisfaction with the national amputee soccer team, the Black Challenge, for visiting various personalities before paying a courtesy call to the Ministry after their recent African triumph.
The Black Challenge came from behind to beat Morocco 2-1 in the final of the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations (AAFCON) in Egypt. Since then, the team has visited several notable figures, including former President John Dramani Mahama, who donated $10,000 to the team.
When the team presented the trophy to the Sports Ministry, the Minister expressed his displeasure at their prior visits. Consequently, he has instructed the President of the National Paralympic Committee to provide a detailed account of all donations received by the team.
