Sports
When Commission’s recommendations are blackened!
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Ghana has had a googol of Committees and Commissions of Inquiry over the years. And, it is exciting to see the rapidity with which such groups were put together.
Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong forming a Committee or Commission to stage a ‘snake-pit’ inquisition into any supposed scandalous activity committed against the state.
Indeed, that is one of the practical steps to take to establish the truth or otherwise of a situation.
Most of the Committees put together are supposed to comprise of men and women of integrity and honesty whose image are always on the line and would stop at nothing to ensure they did a good, solid job.
Such personalities, most often than not, would hardly bend the rules – or dance to anybody’s whim and caprices.
It is sad to say, however, that we are becoming a country that is only animated with the swift formation of such committees, but are not really fascinated about the upshot of the painstaking days and months of sitting.
More painful and heart-throbbing is the fact that we spend tens of thousands of the tax payer’s money on committee sittings only to throw their reports and recommendations into the drain unashamedly.
It is bewildering. It is inconceivable. It is unthinkable. Why we do this as a nation is something that would continue to hound the minds of well-meaning Ghanaians, for many years to come.
Unmistakably, it is increasingly becoming palpable that such committees were only set up to, as it were, gratify the public. Or, you can also say, the authorities were only trying to play the ‘Russian Roulette’ by forming the committees.
As we speak now, there are quite a number of such committee reports and recommendations gathering dusts at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and the National Sports Authority (NSA).
Indeed, you do not have to stretch too much to point to a couple of them in recent times including the Maputo 2011 All Africa Games Committee that recommended for the prosecution of certain individuals enmeshed in financial impropriety.
What happened to the Justice Senyo Dzamefe White Paper Report on the Brazil 2014 World Cup after the ignominious first round exit of the Black Stars? What about the 2018 Australia Visa Scandal Report and its recommendations? You remember the Justice Sule Gbadegbe Commission White Paper Report on Player Transfer Scandal in the late 90s, too?
Question is, why do we decide to splash the tax payer’s hard-earned cash on such Committees and Commissions, all-too aware that we are going to take their recommendations with a pinch of salt?
Many people indicted by such committees have gone scot-free with all their ‘ill-gotten booties’ because the ‘damning’ recommendations have been gum-booted into the abyss.
For how long are we going to tread this disturbingly agonizing path? Forever?
God have mercy on us!
By John Vigah
Just a few years ago, Zinabu Issah’s life revolved around her small trading business, and competing in sports was not on her mind.
Today, the Ghanaian para-athlete stands proudly as a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, proving that determination, hard work and perseverance can transform lives in unimaginable ways.
Issah, who competes in the shot put, javelin and discus events, recalls how her journey began unexpectedly when Coach Emmanuel Sowah Anum approached her and encouraged her to try para-sports.
“I had no intention of doing any sport. I was a petty trader and one day my coach approached me and told me to take up the sport. When he first said it, I laughed because sports was not my thing.
“But he was persistent and eventually convinced me to take up the sport,” she told GNA Sports in an interview.
According to Zinabu, her decision was met with resistance from some family members and friends who questioned why a woman living with a disability would pursue field events.
She faced a lot of stereotypes and criticism, which could easily have discouraged her, but she decided to stay focused on achieving success.
“He (Coach) told me he had seen something in me and believed I could excel in the sport,” she said while expressing gratitude to her coach.
“I want to thank God first of all and also thank my coach for believing in me,” she added.
Her coach, Emmanuel Sowah in an interview, revealed that he spotted Zinabu in Kumasi in 2014 and admitted that life was very difficult for her at the time.
“I saw something in her. I knew I could make her a better field athlete despite her disability, and I personally bought her first training kit. Over the past years, she has developed impressively,” he said.
Coach Sowah said he believes Zinabu can achieve even more and hopes she can step up at the next Paralympic Games, which he is confident she will qualify for.
The road from being a trader to competing in shot put, discus and javelin has been remarkable.
Zinabu has featured in numerous international tournaments, most notably winning gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games Qualifiers Grand Prix in Marrakech, Morocco.
The success earned her recognition, including an award at the 9th Women in Sports Association (WISA) Awards, a moment she says significantly boosted her confidence and motivation.
Her latest achievement came at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she delivered a season-best throw of 8.65 metres to secure silver in the women’s F57 shot put.
That was Ghana’s first medal of the Games and, according to Zinabu, the victory has changed perceptions within her family.
“Ever since my winning moment at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, my family have praised my exploits, and I am excited about that.
“My junior sister, who in the past told me to stop and promised to give me money to start a new business, is today excited about my achievement,” she said.
With her sights now firmly set on the 2028 Paralympic Games, Zinabu is determined to continue breaking barriers.
“I am preparing for the Paralympics, and I am optimistic of qualification. My target is to go for the gold medal,” she said.
For Zinabu, the journey from being a petty trader to a Commonwealth Games medalist is more than a personal triumph is a story of resilience, belief and the power of giving opportunity a chance. –GNA
The Angel Starlight Foundation (ASF) last Friday presented assorted food items to learners and management of the Street Academy, a sports and cultural organisation in Accra.
Mrs Angel Addo, Founder of the NGO made the donation as part of her birthday celebration.
She presented bags of rice, beans, maize, gallons of cooking oil, biscuits, drinks, soap and toilet rolls.
“This is a yearly ritual for me; choosing to celebrate my birthday with children of the Academy. They are very dear to my heart,” she told the Spectator.
She said “these are underprivileged children who through no fault of theirs find themselves on the streets but have been fortunate to be picked by the Academy and are receiving care.”
He urged government and corporate Ghana to also support the Academy in order to support such children who are offered formal education and trained in skilled programmes.
Receiving the items, Dr Ataa Lartey, Founder of the Academy thanked the Foundation for the gesture which he said would go a long way to ease the burden of the Academy.
In another development, the Academy will host its annual health walk today.
The event would attract children from the Academy and those from neighbouring communities and keep fit enthusiasts.
By Spectator Reporter
