President Akufo-Addo fulfils over $350,000 promise to Black Satellites
The government of Ghana through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) has fulfilled a "$US10,000 each" promise made to the Black Satellites for winning the 2021 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations tournament played in Mauritania.
In a short ceremony organised on Tuesday, May 11, in Accra, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Mustapha Ussif presented the cedi equivalent of individual cheques worth US$5,000 to each player on behalf of the President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for making the nation proud by annexing the ultimate trophy at the Under-20 AFCON tournament.
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According to the Minister, the President promised to give each player an amount of US$10,000 out of which US$5,000 is to be invested by the Ghana Life Insurance Company (GLICO) Pension Scheme for ten years adding that it has become a policy at the Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide an insurance package to all national teams whenever they receive bonuses from engaging in competitions. This idea, he said will help to secure the future of the players by having something to fall on in times of need.
GraphicOnline gathers that members of the management and technical teams of the U-20 also received similar US$ 10,000 packages.
Ghana squad
It will be recalled that Ghana coach Karim Zito named a 26-man squad for the 2021 CAF U-20 African Cup of Nations. The Ghanaian delegation for the tournament also included nine technical team officials and members of the management including the Chairman of the Black Satellites Management Committee, Dr Randy Abbey.
Ghana defeated Uganda 2-0 to win the trophy on March 6, 2021.
The squad included: William Emmanuel Essu, Philomo Baffour, Benjamin Aloma, Nathaniel Adjei, Frank Kwabena Assinki, Emmanuel Essiam, Mathew Cudjoe Anim, Sampson Agyapong, Percious Boah, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Mohammed Sulemana, David Kudjo, Patrick Mensah, Ivan Anokye Mensah, Ofori McCarthy, Appiah Kubi, Eric Ansu Appiah, Samuel Koshie Agbenyega, Danlad Ibrahim, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Samuel Abbey-Ashie Quaye, Frank Boateng, Emmanuel Agyemang Duah, Uzair Alhassan, Joselpho Barnes, James Ampofo.
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In brief remarks at the ceremony, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Kurt Okraku noted that the sacrifices made by the team had paid off.
He stressed that teamwork and good leadership won the trophy for the nation and asked them to continue in that spirit to pave the way for greater things to come.
The Chief Executive Officer of GLICO, Dr Francis Sapara-Grant made a short presentation on the insurance package to be invested for the team and mentioned a number of benefits they stand to gain from the package.
Dr Abbey on behalf of the team expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for the honour.
He said the players will appreciate the investment package provided for the team adding that it will go a long way to help them in the unlikely event that their careers are truncated.