President of the Republic, Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured the Presidents of the African Paralympic Committee and Ghana Paralympic Committee of his unflinching support to the para-sport program in the African Sub-region.
President Akufo-Addo made this known when he invited the two presidents to the Jubilee House to present medals won by the Ghanaian athletes at the just-ended Accra 2023 1st African Para Games.
The President of the Ghana Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, presented the trophies to the presidency at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday, November 31, 2023.
Ghana’s team, the Black Challenge beat Morocco 2-1 in the finals of the first-ever African Para games.
The Chief of Staff, Akosua Osei Frema Opare, who spoke on behalf of President Akufo-Addo said, ”government will do everything to support the development of Para-Sport in Ghana and Africa through open engagements with the African Paralympic Committee and its affiliate bodies.
“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the LOC of Accra 2023 1st African Para Games for making it possible for Ghana to host this historic sports festival, the first of its kind in Africa,” she noted.
She added that, “you may recall that on January 5, 2022, I hosted Mr. Andrew Pasons, the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), seeking my consent for Ghana to organize the event. Even at that short notice, I said IT IS DOABLE. I’m proud that this has manifested, and my government has delivered the 1st African Para Games, a Multi-Sport event to demonstrate our strong support and promotion of social inclusion and rights of the vulnerable in the society.”
The National Amputee Football Team were presented with an undisclosed amount by the presidency for their outstanding performance in the tournament.
“I’m happy to present a token to all players and officials of the Ghana Amputee Football team,” the Chief of Staff said.
The Minister of Sports was tasked to ensure all bonuses of the Gold Medal winning team are paid. He was also asked to ensure adequate preparations are put in place for Team Ghana at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and Black Challenge’s participation in the Cup of African Nations for Amputees to be held in Cairo, Egypt, from 19 – 28 April 2024.
The Ghana Amputee Football team were crowned champions after coming from behind to beat Morocco 2-1 in the final of the 2023 African Paralympic Games Football tournament at the MacDan Park in Accra, September 10, 2023.
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