Can he do that to the Black Stars? - Journalists blasts 'shameless' sports minister over Amputee Team

Journalist Bright Kankam Boadu (BKB) is among hundreds of Ghana displeased at Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif's recent critique of the Ghana Amputee Football team, the Black Challenge.

The minister according to reports was unhappy about the team accepting donations from external sources without consulting his office first.

This criticism emerged following the team's receipt of a $10,000 donation from former President John Mahama on July 12, 2024. The donation was a token of appreciation for the team's consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCO) titles.

In an X post on June 14 after the minister's video went viral, BKB described Ussif as shameless asking whether he could reprimand the Black Stars in a similar fashion.

"This man has no shame!!! Can he talk to the Black Stars like this? The air condition office he sits in is paid for by the taxpayer and he feels he is more Ghanaian than these para athletes??? How long have these people tried to see u? The prez or veep should call him to immediately apologize to the amputee team…." his post read.

BKB's views have been supported by a good number of commenters on X and other social media platforms.

This man has no shame!!! Can he talk to the Black Stars like this? The air condition office he sits in is paid for by the taxpayer and he feels he is more Ghanaian than these para athletes??? How long have these people tried to see u? The prez or veep should call him to…

— Bright Kankam Boadu (@TheOnlyBKB) June 14, 2024

Minister Ussif explains his position on external donations:

Ussif emphasised the need for the team to coordinate through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) before engaging with external entities.

"When you come after the successes and there's anything, the first point of call is this office [MoYS]. We're not going to tolerate you using the state for your personal benefits," he stated.

He further criticised the team's approach this year compared to the previous year. "Unlike last year, this time when you landed and you came here directly, this year you started going from one place to another without any records to the government who sponsored you, and that cannot be tolerated," Ussif added.

The Black Challenge recently triumphed over Morocco in the final, securing their second consecutive AFCON title.