National Paralympic Committee elects new executives

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) has elected Mr Samson Deen as its new President.

Mr Deen, who was the President of the Ghana Para Powerlifting Association, emerged winner in an election organised at the Accra Sports Stadium last Saturday.

He polled seven votes against his opponent, Mr Shabaan Mohammed, the Technical Director of the Ghana Cycling Association, who polled six votes.

The Vice President position went to Mr Frederick Lartey, while Mr. Peter Adjei got the General Secretary slot with Mr. Evans Yeboah, getting the position of the Treasurer.

Messrs Philip Otuo, Ibrahim Sani, Twum Barima and Henry Kweku Nyanteh were elected as Executive Members.

Speaking to the media after the election, Mr Deen expressed his gratitude to all those who entrusted him with the mandate to lead the association.

He pledged that the NPC would help all parasports in the country to develop to their full potential.

He said the new leadership would use their contacts at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to ensure that people come to invest in paralympic sports in Ghana.

Mr Deen also urged the Minister of Youth and Sports to prioritise paralympic sports in the country by supporting them both technically and financially.

He said although the NPC was not financially sound, that would not prevent the new leadership from revamping paralympic sports in the country.

He has therefore called for unity in the committee to enable it to carry out their activities.

Mr Deen also pledged a new office and vehicle for the committee, saying an office and vehicle would enable the new leadership to work effectively and efficiently.

The Vice President, Frederick Lartey, bemoaned the lack of support for paralympic sports in Ghana.

He said it was only when the paralympic athletics were helped that could help the country to bring home laurels from paralympic tournaments.

"We have to develop all sports under paralympic committee in Ghana," Mr Lartey said, adding that NPC could help identify and nurture talents for paralympic sports from the district, regional up to national levels.

The Chairperson of the Elections Committee of the NPC, Madam Ester Akua Gyamfi, urged the new leadership to work to unite the association.

According to her, the various cracks and disunity within the NPC would not help the association to achieve its goals.