Govt pays GH¢1,700,000 to former Black Stars players
After decades of broken promises by successive governments and sports officials, President John Mahama has finally redeemed a pledge of GH¢1,700,000 to be shared among 95 former Black Stars players who won laurels for the nation at the 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 AFCON tournaments.
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The President made the pledge at a farewell dinner held in Accra for the Black stars before the 2014 World Cup in June.
The disbursement was announced yesterday by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga, who presented the dummy cheque to the Retired National Football Association of Ghana (RENFAG) at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) in Accra.
The players/technical team officials of those title- winning sides or their representatives will pocket a cool GH¢17,894 each for those title triumphs but some members, such as triple AFCON winner (1963, 1965 and 1982), CK Gyamfi, and double AFCON winner (1963 and 1965), Rev. Osei Kofi, will get triple and double of that sum respectively.
Mr Ayariga, in an address thanked the players for their patience, adding that the amount was a way of showing gratitude for the commitment and performances they showed to Ghana in their title-winning triumphs.
Mr Ayariga said: “It was an honour for all Ghanaians to be associated with you, you were all once household names and history makers, we thank you for making Ghana Proud.”
He added that the Ministry was considering a proposal by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to create an Endowment Fund to cater for ex-national players.
Ibrahim Sunday, who received the dummy cheque as the chairman of the RENFAG, said he was both excited and sad because some of the members of those title-winning squads, including Ofei Dodoo (Little Bird), Emmanuel Quarshie, Addo Odametey, Edward Acquah and Ofei Ansah did not live to receive their due.
“After waiting for years, by the Grace of God and help of President John Mahama, ex-Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah and his successor, Mahama Ayariga, this day is here.
“Unfortunately, some of our brothers did not live to see this day, we hope they all rest in peace. And for those who are still alive, I hope they will have renewed vigour to live a bit longer.”
The RENFAG, after the ceremony, also expressed gratitude to the media and other organisations and individuals such as Kennedy Agyapong of Kenpong Group, musician Amakye Dede, football administrator, Nana Fitz and legal practitioner, Moses Foh-Amoaning, who supported fund-raising ceremonies in honour of members of the RENFAG.
Meanwhile, a member of the technical team of the 1982-winning squad, Dr Joe Ofori Atta, has expressed disquiet about the omission of the medical officer and masseur who were part of the team that won the Nations Cup for then unprecedented fourth time in Tripoli, Libya.
Speaking to the Graphic Sports from his home in Tafo, Kukurantumi, the retired medical officer said it was unfortunate if his name and that of the masseur were not included in the reward list.
He noted that they were key members of the technical team which included coaches C.K. Gyamfi, Fred Osam-Duodu and E.K. Afranie, all of whom have been rewarded.
“I hope this is a genuine oversight by the government which has to be corrected, while I thank the President for finally redeeming the pledge,” Dr Ofori Atta intoned.
