Why ex-sports minister Mustapha Ussif Is trending

Former sports minister, Mustapha Ussif has been trending on social media following controversies surrounding Ghana’s hosting of the 2026 African Athletics Championships at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

After the conclusion of the 2023 African Games, hosted at the same venue, the former minister faced vehement backlash over the huge funds invested in the games and is still under probe regarding the finances.

However, the organization of the African Games was widely commended, as there were fewer challenges compared to the current African Athletics Championships.

Ghana loses men’s 100m final at African Athletics Championships

Some of the setbacks at the ongoing competition include a men’s pole vault athlete’s pole snapping mid-air during an attempt, the lack of time displays for races, and complaints from South African shot put champion Aiden Smith about poor meals and hostel conditions.

These issues have led social media users to recall the African Games as a better-organized event under Ussif’s tenure, despite the financial controversies.

Some users argued that although the financial investment was huge, it ensured the right equipment and measures were in place to host a successful event.

Others even apologized to Ussif for their harsh criticisms, calling on him to “come for his flowers,” as they now believe the investment was worth it to save the nation from embarrassment.

Meanwhile, critics suggested that the current athletics championship could have been hosted more effectively, blaming the incumbent government for its lack of financial commitment to the games.

Read the reactions below:

Chale this is really shameful 🤭🤭😂😂

We all saw how successful the All African Games was and just only Athletics competitions too see this

Food aa theyre complaining n now this…eeiiiii

Herh Ghana…Aban papa aba ampa pic.twitter.com/sj6A8UlpUO
— Kwame Nyarko Osafo ❼ (@kwamenyarkoosaf) May 13, 2026

This one de3 like Mustafa Ussif go spoil there. He never go allow make the thing make basa basa like this. Yh the budget go scare we small but we go feel the event. He go bus people then things come the stadium den give boys free food then things. I miss am small
— SITSO (@OfficialSitso) May 12, 2026

Come for your flowers.
Hon. Mustapha Yussif! 🫴🏽💐❤️

His crime was successfully organising the biggest Athletics event in Africa. pic.twitter.com/rOEuCIWVNu
— HAKEEM🇳🇱 (@keembobo) May 13, 2026

When Mustapha Ussif spent a lot of money, you guys ridiculed him
Many of you had been to these events abroad and knew how money played a crucial role
We have another one protecting the national purse nd giving us a bad name
That one too you bore
One day, we'll all be honest in GH https://t.co/aLiGa3jG6d
— Gideon Owusu-Tua (@GotGideon) May 13, 2026

After Mustapha Ussif was able to complete Legon Sports Complex (started by Kuffour) and started and completed the world class Borteyman Sports Complex and organized a very successful ‘All African Games’, fentuo, Sitso, Saddick Adams and his goons called ORAL on him because…
— DANQUAH-BUSIA-DOMBO TRADITION 🟡⚫️🟢 (@sonofjacob98) May 13, 2026

If Veronica wasn’t in power, she would be on sports shows trashing Mustapha Ussif and acting like she had all the answers.

Now that she’s actually in charge, we are seeing the truth for ourselves, absolute incompetent! https://t.co/XWWhDCpDOA
— Kwaku Baafi OBE🇬🇭 (@CaselyHerman) May 13, 2026

Mustapha Ussif is just a human
— Sleek (@utd_sleek) May 13, 2026

Throwback to when Nigerian journalists praised President Akufo-Addo and Hon. Mustapha Ussif for delivering a world-class All African Games in 2024.#GhanaToday pic.twitter.com/csRaS00FAK
— GHANA TODAY (@_GhanaToday) May 13, 2026

Mustapha Ussif whitewash ? pic.twitter.com/vsuWzZQ1Ra
— Atadwe (@Quincy_Lumba) May 13, 2026

Like former president Kuffour said, these media guys @Fentuo_ @OfficialSitso @VeronicaCommey @SaddickAdams knew the price of everything but never the value of it. Under Ussif Mustapha and Nana Addo they were loud everywhere now they are mute at this gargantuan international… pic.twitter.com/rASA2FxbwO
— Obeng-Amoako AK-0003605 (@TheObengMix) May 13, 2026