Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has demanded urgent answers from the government over what he describes as disturbing welfare failures affecting Ghana’s contingent at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Mr Assafuah, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, said reports from members of Team Ghana, coupled with concerns raised publicly by players of the Black Queens, pointed to what appeared to be a broader failure in the management and welfare of Ghanaian athletes.
He accused the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the government of allowing financial uncertainty, administrative lapses and inadequate welfare arrangements to undermine the country’s representatives.
Also read: French ambassador to CAR accused of bringing women to official residence faces disciplinary action
According to the MP, some athletes reportedly received their airline tickets late, with tickets allegedly issued without luggage allowances or, in some cases, becoming difficult to trace.
He said some athletes and officials were consequently forced to miss scheduled flights or make alternative travel arrangements by road or train.
Mr Assafuah also raised concerns about delays in the delivery of competition kits, claiming that some athletes received their kits only after their events had already taken place.
He said some athletes were reportedly compelled to secure private sponsorship or arrange their own equipment to compete for Ghana.
According to him, athletes representing the country should have clear and documented information about their financial entitlements before travelling for international competitions.
The MP also questioned the alleged failure to provide raincoats for members of the contingent, particularly those participating in outdoor disciplines such as athletics and para athletics.
Mr Assafuah also raised concern regarding the accommodation and deployment of officials responsible for managing the Ghanaian contingent.
He said reports indicated that about 90 per cent of officials were accommodated at the Moxy Hotel while athletes were housed at different hotels, raising questions about the level of supervision and support available to them.
He described as particularly disturbing the reported treatment of a para athlete who was allegedly checked out of his hotel only hours after competing, without receiving his per diem.
The athlete was reportedly taken to the airport at 5:55 a.m. for a flight scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Mr Assafuah said that, if established, such treatment would amount to an unacceptable disregard for the dignity and welfare of an athlete who had made personal sacrifices to represent Ghana.
The MP said the concerns from Glasgow must also be considered alongside complaints raised by the Black Queens over outstanding financial obligations and welfare challenges.
According to him, the national women’s football team has raised concerns over unpaid bonuses relating to Egypt 2025, WAFCON qualification and group-stage performances, as well as outstanding per diems.
Mr Assafuah said the combination of the reports suggested that the problems could no longer be treated as isolated incidents.
“This is no longer an isolated complaint. It points to a potentially systemic failure in the government’s management of our national athletes,” he said.
The Ranking Member is therefore demanding a comprehensive public account from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation on the arrangements made for Team Ghana at the Commonwealth Games.
He is also calling for the immediate payment of all outstanding per diems, bonuses and other financial entitlements owed to the Glasgow athletes and the Black Queens.
Mr. Assafuah is also demanding disclosure of the approved budget for Ghana’s participation in the Commonwealth Games, including expenditure on travel, accommodation, kits, officials, per diems and medal bonuses.