2015 All Africa Games: Lack of money stalls Ghana’s preparation?

Ghana’s preparation for this year’s All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo, has hit a snag following the failure of the government to release funds timeously to facilitate preparation by qualified teams and athletes.

Ghana’s Black Meteors are already in camp at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence at Prampram in preparation for the September 3-19 games, but the build-up by other athletes who have qualified for the table tennis, volleyball, and track and field competitions have stalled due to lack of funds.

Information available to the Graphic Sports indicates that the Ministry of Finance has yet to make good on a promise by the Minister of Youth and Sports that money would be released to ensure adequate preparation for the continent’s biggest multi-sport competition.

According to a highly placed source at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, despite a directive from the Chief of Staff at the presidency, Julius Debrah, for the release of funds for Ghana’s preparation and participation, the Finance Ministry had not complied fully, with only a fraction of the money released so far.

“Out of the GH¢16 million we need to participate in the games, only GH¢175,000 has been given to us,” stated the source, who added that the unavailability of funds has greatly affected the training and camping of athletes.

The source noted that he foresaw a possible recurrence of the Maputo disaster, which saw the shambolic participation by the country in the All Africa Games in Maputo four years ago.

“Less than two months to the competition, we don’t have kits, jerseys, uniforms, equipment and attire to represent Ghana at the continent’s most important sporting event,” lamented the source.

“The most urgent needs of the athletes, who are supposed to begin residential camping from next week such as water, toiletries, snack and some stipends have not yet been made available. We are hoping for an intervention by the president to salvage the situation, else I doubt Ghana can make a record medal haul at the games.”