SOURCE: Ahashie Judeliver Eli
The Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, has come under intense scrutiny over his treatment of Ghana’s Amputee football team. Reynolds Agyemang, presenter and co-host of Happy 98.9FM’s Political show Epa Hoa Daben, has called for Ussif’s resignation following revelations that the team was forced to purchase second-hand jerseys from Kantamanto market to represent Ghana at the 2024 African Amputee Football Cup of Nations (AAFCON).
The controversy began when the Amputee team, known as the Black Challenge, returned home as champions of Africa for the second successive time, defeating Morocco 2-1 in the final.
However, upon visiting the Sports Ministry to present their trophy, Minister Ussif expressed his displeasure with the team for accepting external donations, such as a $10,000 contribution from former President John Dramani Mahama, before officially coming to his office.
Ussif accused the team of “using the state for your personal benefits” and criticized them for “going from one place to another without any records to the government who sponsored you.”
This harsh response from the Minister sparked outrage with many demanding President Akufo-Addo to immediately dismiss Ussif from his position.
Adding to the controversy, the team’s coach, Richard Obeng, revealed that the players had to purchase their own jerseys from the Kantamanto market for the AAFCON tournament, as the government failed to provide them.
This revelation has further fueled the calls for Ussif’s resignation, with Reynolds Agyemang leading the charge and accusing the Minister of mistreating the Amputee team.
“How does a national team go to Kantamanto to purchase second hand jerseys to represent Ghana at an international tournament?. This is shameful!!!! The treatment given to this Amputee team who continue to make Ghana proud is so unfair. Mustapha Ussif should be sacked!.”
Echoing Reynolds Agyemang’s sentiments, host of Epa Hoa Daben, Bismark Brown, stated on the show, “Morally, The Sports Minister has no business asking the Amputee team to account for the gifts and donations they have received because the ministry has invested nothing in this team.”
The Amputee team has now booked their ticket to the next Amputee Football World Cup in 20