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Minority demands accountability over welfare of Black Queens and Glasgow athletes
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The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to account for what it describes as failures in the welfare and management of Ghanaian athletes participating in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Black Queens.
Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Youth and Sports, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, said reports from members of Ghana’s Commonwealth Games contingent raised serious concerns about how athletes were being treated.
He alleged that some athletes received their airline tickets late, while others were issued tickets without luggage allowances or could not locate their tickets.
According to him, some athletes and officials were forced to miss scheduled flights, return home or use alternative means of transport, including trains and buses.
He further alleged that competition kits arrived late, with some athletes receiving them only after their events had ended.
Mr Assafuah said some athletes had to seek private sponsorship or arrange their own equipment to enable them to compete for Ghana.
He raised concerns that athletes allegedly travelled to Glasgow without clear information about their per diem and medal bonuses.
He said raincoats were also reportedly not provided for athletes competing in outdoor events, including athletics and para athletics.
The Minority Ranking Member further questioned the accommodation and supervision arrangements for the Ghanaian contingent.
He claimed that about 90 per cent of officials were accommodated at the Moxy Hotel, while athletes stayed in other hotels without what he described as adequate supervision and support.
Mr Assafuah called for an investigation into the reported treatment of a para athlete who, according to him, was checked out of his hotel shortly after competing without receiving his per diem.
He alleged that the athlete was taken to the airport at 5:55 a.m. for a flight scheduled for 3 p.m.
The concerns, he noted, came at a time when the Black Queens had also publicly raised issues over outstanding bonuses, per diems and welfare support.
The players have complained about bonuses relating to Egypt 2025, WAFCON qualification and group-stage performances, as well as outstanding per diem payments.
Mr Assafuah described the two situations as evidence of what he believes could be a wider problem with the management of Ghanaian national athletes.
He is therefore demanding a comprehensive account from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation on the travel, accommodation, equipment and welfare arrangements for Team Ghana in Glasgow.
He called for the immediate payment of any outstanding per diems, bonuses and other financial entitlements owed to the athletes.
The Minority further wants the government to disclose the approved budget for Ghana’s participation in the Commonwealth Games, including spending on travel, accommodation, kits, officials, per diems and medal bonuses.
Mr Assafuah called for an independent investigation into the reported treatment of the para athlete and other alleged cases of neglect.
He wants the Minister for Sports and Recreation to brief Parliament on the matter and for a clear athlete welfare protocol to be introduced for future national assignments.
He said such a protocol should cover travel, accommodation, equipment, supervision, medical care, mental health support and financial entitlements.
Mr Assafuah stressed that Ghanaian athletes sacrifice their bodies, careers and personal comfort to represent the country and therefore deserve proper preparation, protection, transparency and respect.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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