Stop political fights and save Ghana sports – Samson Deen

National Paralympic Committee of Ghana (NPC Ghana) President Samson Deen

National Paralympic Committee of Ghana (NPC Ghana) President Samson Deen has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to end political divisions in sports and work together to address challenges facing the sector.

According to him, political rivalry is discouraging sponsors, weakening sports administration and putting the future of young athletes at risk.

“Politics is dividing us. Politics is destroying our sports,” Deen said in a statement on his Facebook page.

He also questioned how sponsors could be expected to invest in a sector he described as divided and characterised by disputes.

“How do you expect a sponsor to carry money and dump the money into confusion? It’s not possible,” he said at a Team Ghana sponsorship event.

Deen has therefore proposed a wider forum involving the two major political parties and sports stakeholders to discuss issues affecting Ghana’s sports sector.

“Let’s come together with a bigger forum where we shall be able to address the issues bedevilling our sports,” he said.

He said sports administrators should not be targeted simply because they served under a previous government, arguing that such a practice could lead to similar treatment when political power changes hands.

Deen cited his defence of former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif as an example of his position against what he considers the politicisation of sports administration.

“I defended Mustapha Ussif and I still defend him till today,” he said.

He also urged journalists to properly investigate allegations involving sports officials before publishing them, warning that public attacks and disputes over organisational and financial issues could damage the sector’s reputation.

“No sponsor will invest in sports if we don’t stop this attitude,” Deen said.

On efforts to reform sports administration, he urged national associations to move beyond promises and demonstrate change through their actions.

“It’s not just by the words, ‘reset, reset’. No. It’s by action,” he said.

Deen further called on sports administrators to resolve disagreements internally and present a united front to attract investment and build confidence in the sector.

He questioned why Ghana continued to face disputes over issues such as World Cup participation, allowances and payments to technical officials despite the findings and recommendations of the Dzamefe Commission, which investigated Ghana’s participation in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He said the inquiry should have contributed to improvements in the management and administration of sports.

On infrastructure, Deen questioned whether the US$12 million figure being discussed for stadium rehabilitation would be sufficient to address Ghana’s needs.

He estimated that restoring the country’s four major stadiums in Kumasi, Accra, Takoradi and Tamale to good condition would require at least US$80 million.

Deen also called for improved sports facilities across the country and greater efforts to encourage children between eight and 16 years to participate in sports.

He warned that continued hostility and political disagreements in sports administration could discourage experienced administrators from remaining in the sector.

Deen reiterated that he plans to retire from sports administration in 2028, citing what he described as sabotage and blackmail.

“I have announced just recently that I’ll be retiring from sports in 2028,” he said.

He urged political parties and sports stakeholders to put aside their differences and work together to improve the sector.

“Let’s come together as one unit,” Deen said.