London 2012 Paralympics: Team Ghana ready to defy odds

Yaw Ampofo Ankrah reports from London


No, the headline is not some twisted joke. There is nothing funny about being
written off unles you have the last laugh as I pray Ghanaian Paralympians will do
here in London.''Do not lower your expectations'' that is the message coming loud
and clear from the Local Organising Committee (LOCOG) of the London 2012 Paralympic
Games. It seems like just yesterday when the world witnessed the start of the 2012
Olympics in grand style amid grand pomp and pageantry with tradition embracing
modernity. What followed in the days after the opening theatre seems to be unanimous
at the conclusion that the Summer Olympics went down as one of the finest of the
modern era. For me, having never physically witnessed or indeed never covered a
Paralympics event excites me to the core as much as it might a teenager looking
forward to a new adventure.Out of the over 4,200 athletes, Ghana would have FOUR
citizens in action; each with the deep knowledge that back home, hope has been
discarded like an orange sucked dry. It is all well and good for our Ministers and
Sports officials in Africa (Please I have not mentioned any names) to make bold and
positive proclamations about their country's intent.Who does not love an
inspirational speaker like Obama or Mandella? Especially when they back it up with
results. Yet, as we jealously witnessed Obama's team USA walking the talk, we are
still talking the talk without research, statistics, facts and in today's sport
arenas - technology and science.Sadly, some of us who claim to have a duty as
journalists to point in a certain clear direction regardless of our stomachs or
consequences, are unwilling or un-knowing? Times are hard the world over and Ghana
is no exception. Thus the risk of being isolated when it comes to calling a spade a
spade is too much for some of us to take.However, it is a prize worth paying because
ultimately, truth cannot be denied forever as real substance always stands the test
of time whilst short cuts and mediocrity never leaves a legacy. One would have
thought that feeding the aspirations of a nation must go hand in hand with
practical, firm and long term planning but in Africa, we seem to love to bluff, only
to huff and puff when the chips are down. Thankfully, the Paralympians are exactly
the embodiment of hope. They mock defeat and stare adversity in the eye like prized
bulls ready to be pierced in an arena. There are no guarantees but there is also no
fear.Ghana is taking part in Games with just FOUR athletes who have been in London
for several weeks now (thanks in part to the NGO, Right to Dream) preparing for the
biggest event of their lives. So who are these men and women on whose shoulders
medal hopes are heavily stacked against yet who have literally kept quietly
confident under the media radar? Wheelchair Track athletes Raphael Nkegbe Botsyo and
Anita Fordjour may not be household names yet but they have as much a chance
perhaps, than their more illustrious able bodied compatriots who came, saw and left
raw. Another athlete hoping to defy the odds and win a medal for Ghana in the
Para-Cycling event is Alem Mumuni. He is the African defending champion in the C2
category of paracycling racing. He must not be ignored.Mumuni outsped a tough field
to win the discipline for the third time running and qualify to the Games in London.
I am sure he has been watching the incredible media hype and support accorded the GB
Paralympians. Then there is Powerlifter Charles Narh Teye who has great hopes in
the bench press at the 67.5 kilogram weight class.Having won a Gold Medal at an
event in Cardiff earlier this year, Narh Teye also competed in Dubai at one of the
largest international Powerlifting competitions. Could he bring a medal and hope
back to Ghana? On Wednesday evening, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will open the
London 2012 Paralympics by attending the ''special'' Olympics for the first time
possibly minus her recuperrating husband.The Duke of Edinburgh was taken to hospital
last week after a recurrence of an infection which also forced him to miss part of
the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. 91 year old Prince Phillip's likely
absence by the side of the Queen will not change the tone and theme of the opening
ceremony as we have been told not to lower our expectations.According to the media
release, the event will showcase some of the UK's best creative performers as well
as run through a raft of traditions, such as the raising of the Paralympic and Host
Nation's flag.