By Rexford Alex

It is very unfortunate that, in this part of our world (Ghana), the disabled are not accorded the needed support to enable them live a comfortable life, considering their predicament.

Society in general contributes to the phenomenon of the disabled begging on the street and turns around to label them as lazy people who do not want to work. Much as some of the disabled use their disability as an excuse to beg instead of working, many of them have proven beyond every reasonable doubt that, if given the necessary support, they can do better than what able-bodied persons do. It is for this reason government’s attitude towards them must be viewed with some seriousness, especially when one considers some treatment being meted out to disabled sports men and women.

This brings into sharp focus the way members of the Ghana National Amputee Football Team, the Black Challenge, have been treated by government ever since they participated in the 3rd Cup of African Nations for Amputee Football (CANAF 2011) held in Accra last year. There is no gainsaying the fact that the event enhanced Ghana’s international reputation and sent the message out there that it is a nation that respects the disabled. Wherever one went, the beautiful manner in which the tournament was organized received praise. Though the cup was won by Liberia, Ghana still earned a lot of respect for placing second- something the senior national team, the Black Stars could not do at the last African Cup of Nations (AfCON) in Gabon-Equatorial Guinea.

After placing a respectable 2nd, the team has not been rewarded for their efforts. Government has tried over and again to excuse itself without success. The explanation that there was no contract between it and the Ghana Amputee Football Federation over the organization of the tournament is not holding water because government was actively involved in the programme and the team played in the national colours, with the Minister of Youth and Sports fully representing the President. If there is any group of people who deserve a lot of support, then the disabled and in this case, the amputees who have defied their condition to do something for their nation, are the ones; isn’t it bad on the part of government to abandon them after they have lifted the flag of Ghana? The amount they are reported to have got so far (GH?900.00) in different installments may sound good but woefully inadequate when viewed against the sacrifices they made by training without provision of allowance and even water to drink. After all, how much did each player of the Black Stars get for that heart-breaking performance at the AfCON? What each Black Stars player got is virtually enough to take care of the $3,500 each of the Amputee players is pleading for. The Black Stars are living beyond comfort and can afford to play for Ghana without taking a penny. But, government is still spending more on them, leaving the poor Amputees to struggle for a relatively paltry sum of money.

It is very embarrassing for government to play politics with this issue when it can be resolved amicably through the settlement of this amount. Taking the Amputees through this ordeal is simply put, DISGRACEFUL on the part of a state that can afford to do even more of that. It is about time the nation did more for the disabled who have won many medals for Ghana. THE WORLD IS WATCHING HOW GHANA WOULD TREAT THE AMPUTEES BECAUSE WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR IS DISGRACEFUL!!!