The President of the National Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, has issued a clarification statement regarding donations made to the National Amputee Football Team. The statement comes after Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif directed the team to account for monies donated to them.
According to Samson Deen, his statement was intended to provide clarity and prevent a potential revolt by the players at the Ministry. He explained that the team had received sponsorship proposals from various agencies, including Twellium (GHS 75,000), GCB (GHS 65,000), Rocksters (GHS 3,000), and Osofo Adom Kyei Duah (GHS 100,000).
Upon their return from the tournament, the team went to the Ministry without Deen’s directive and were lodged at a hotel in Accra for three days. Deen arrived from Cairo on May 29, 2024, and directed the team to wait for further instructions. On May 31, he sent a courtesy meeting to the Ministry for the presentation of trophies and awards.
Deen clarified that the donations received by the players upon their arrival, including GHS 200,000 from Adom Kyei Duah and $10,000 from former President John Mahama, were personal donations to the players and not state money.
He emphasized that these donations were willingly given by the donors to the players and therefore should not be accounted for by the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Ghana.
Deen explained that his role as a sports administrator is to ensure that the team prepares for tournaments and that sponsorships are secured. He emphasized that the official receivables from sponsorships must be accounted for by NPC Ghana and then forwarded to the Minister.
In conclusion, Deen’s statement aimed to clarify the donations received by the National Amputee Football Team and ensure that the players and the Ministry are on the same page. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in sports administration.