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Why the delay in honouring them?
From left: Wahid, Amoah, Commey, Deborah and Mensah won medals
at the Birmingham Games
Earlier this week, Ghana’s medalists at the recently-held Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, expressed grave discontent over the delay in awarding them – weeks after a promise to that effect.
The athletes – five in number – had returned home from the Birmingham Games on Wednesday, August 10 last month, in high spirits after making the nation proud, to some large extent. As usual, praises upon praises were decanted on them. It was a normal thing that greeted every feat in Ghana.
Not surprising, the medalists did not smile at the loads of laudations. That was not what they needed.
From their demeanour, they were waiting for prizes that went with their performance to be announced. But nothing came except promises.
“When we arrived on Wednesday, August 10, they told us we were going to receive something good on Friday; that’s two days later. Yet, it’s almost a month now and nothing has happened,” one of the frustrated athletes told the Spectator Sports.
In reaction, a source at the Ministry of Youth and Sports that wants to remain anonymous, said “arrangements are far advanced to reward the athletes.”
“We have not forgotten them at all; they’ll be sorted out pretty soon,” it insisted.
As of the time of putting this piece together, the athletes were yet to receive any national rewards, a development which has been condemned by many followers of Ghana sports.
Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after touching down, Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Development splashed $25,000 on Team Nigeria athletes who clinched 35 medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Gold medal winners received $5,000 each, while their coaches were also given $3,000 each. Silver medalists pocketed $3,000 for their effort with bronze medalists settling for $2,000.
One question that many have asked is what is preventing the government from honouring the athletes – a whole month after returning from the Games?
Four years ago, the nation’s only medallist at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games – boxer Jessie Lartey, received $2,000 financial reward from the government, for winning bronze. The honour came barely a week on returning from the Games.
There was massive expansion on the medal haul this time around as five athletes – Paul Amoah (bronze, 200m), Deborah Acquah (bronze, long jump), Joseph Commey (silver, boxing), Abraham Mensah (silver, boxing) and Abdul Wahid (bronze, boxing) all bestowed the nation with something to smile about.
Delay in honouring them has dampened their spirit – even if temporarily. It is inexplicable! Certainly, if they were football players that had brought medals home, they were going to be treated differently. This must stop! It is not the best. This is not the way to promote sports.
Most athletes have a natural talent for their sport. But what motivates them to drive themselves to succeed is to be motivated extrinsically. In our part of the world, giving the athlete something in the form of cash – as the Nigerian government had done is most admirable to them.
Even before they embarked on their campaign in Birmingham, the Nigerian athletes were told of what awaited them should they win medals. That got them dreaming for gold. But we were silent on ours, suggesting we did not believe in our own.
Let us be serious on the way we treat our athletes; for they are the same people we would be relying on in future competitions. Who else?
PlainTalk with John Vigah
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
