The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has formally activated a US$500,000 allocation for amputee football under its two-year, US$5 million sponsorship agreement with Gold Fields Ghana Limited, giving the Black Challenge a major boost ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
The presentation and activation of the funding on Tuesday, at Mendiata Hotel in Accra, brought together GFA President Kurt Simeon-Okraku, National Paralympic Committee (NPC) President Samson Deen, Gold Fields Ghana Vice President and Managing Director Elliot Twum and members of the amputee national team.
Mr Deen welcomed the commitment, describing it as the kind of corporate and institutional backing the sport had long sought.
He expressed appreciation to both the GFA and Gold Fields Ghana, saying the support would strengthen the team’s preparations and give the players further motivation to represent the country.
“This is what we’ve been looking for over many years. I want to say that we are grateful for what the GFA and Gold Fields have done. Thank you very much. We really appreciate it,” he said.
The GFA boss reaffirmed the association’s commitment to the Black Challenge, assuring the players that the GFA was working with Gold Fields and the NPC leadership to provide the necessary support for their World Cup campaign.
“Be rest assured that Ghana is with you. It is now your time to go and make us proud,” Simeon-Okraku told the team.
Twum said Gold Fields was confident in the players because of their achievements and urged them to make the most of the opportunity to fly Ghana’s flag on the global stage.
“This is your opportunity to hold high the flag of Ghana because you’ve achieved a lot. We want to continue to support football and to continue to be associated with the Black Challenge,” he said, adding that the company expected the team to give Ghanaians reasons to celebrate.
The funding comes as the Black Challenge prepare for Mexico after an extended period of camping in Accra, during which they have received encouragement and assistance from several quarters.
Musician Stonebwoy donated GH¢100,000, while former Black Stars captain André Ayew also visited the team and made a donation.
The Agric Minister, Eric Opoku, and his deputy, John Setor Dumelo, provided financial support and pledged a poultry business package, while Spain’s Ambassador to Ghana, Ángel Lossada Torres-Quevedo, visited the camp to motivate the players.
Ghana head to the November 13–22 tournament in San Juan de los Lagos as two-time African champions, having won the continental title in 2021 and retained it in 2024 after securing gold at the 2023 African Para Games in Accra.
Drawn in Group D with Angola, Colombia and Iraq, the Black Challenge face a demanding route towards the knockout stages. Angola, the 2018 world champions and 2022 runners-up, will be among their challenging opponents.
With the US$500,000 commitment now activated and several forms of support behind them, Ghana’s ambition is to convert its continental pedigree into a strong World Cup campaign and pursue the ultimate prize in Mexico.
