Former Ghana Minister for Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has argued that the Black Queens couldn’t have won bronze at the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) without the investment of the past New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
According to him, steps taken by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in supporting women’s football when Covid-19 hit the country laid the foundation for the success of the Black Queens at this year’s WAFCON.
Speaking on the floor of parliament on Tuesday, Mustapha Ussif said it is important that the current government continues to invest in sports, with a focus on developing the women’s game.
“We shouldn’t also forget that when Covid happened, for the first time, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ensured that all Women’s Premier League players were put on stipends. And most of these players are beneficiaries of those stipends.
“The numerous Astro turfs that the president also constructed across Ghana, most of the women’s premier league clubs are playing on these Astro turfs, and this is a result of the success that we are chalking up,” Mustapha Ussif said.
The former Sports Minister continued, “I want to urge them that the government should continue to ensure that every district gets a befitting sports facility...”
The Black Queens have been celebrated by Parliament today after returning to Ghana at the end of the 2024 WAFCON.
The team had a slow start to the tournament in Morocco, but went all the way to the semi-final, where they lost to the host on penalties.
The Queens beat South Africa in the third-place playoff match to claim the bronze medal.
Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS