The Minority Caucus in Parliament has demanded an immediate investigation into alleged welfare and administrative failures involving members of Ghana’s contingent at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said reports of delayed air tickets, inadequate equipment, unpaid allowances and poor accommodation arrangements raised serious concerns about the government’s treatment of athletes representing the country on the international stage.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, Mr Assafuah said he had received “grave concern” reports from members of Team Ghana in Glasgow, alongside complaints publicly raised by players of the Black Queens over outstanding bonuses, unpaid per diems and inadequate welfare support.
According to him, the accounts, if established, point to administrative and financial challenges within the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and require urgent answers from the government.
The Minority said some athletes and officials allegedly received their airline tickets late, while some tickets reportedly did not include luggage allowances or could not be located.
As a result, some members of the contingent were allegedly forced to abandon scheduled flights, return home or make alternative arrangements to travel by train or bus.
The statement also raised concerns over the late arrival of competition kits, claiming that some athletes received their official kits only after they had completed their events.
Others, it alleged, were compelled to secure private sponsorship or personally arrange equipment needed for their participation in the Games.
Mr Assafuah said such incidents were unacceptable, particularly when athletes were expected to compete at a major international sporting event representing Ghana.
The Minority also questioned the alleged failure to communicate financial entitlements to athletes before their departure.
According to the statement, members of Team Ghana reportedly travelled to Glasgow without being informed of the exact amount of per diems or medal bonuses they were expected to receive.
The Ranking Member argued that athletes undertaking national assignments should be provided with clear and documented information about their financial entitlements before leaving the country.
The statement further alleged that raincoats were not provided to members of the contingent, despite the predictable wet weather conditions in Glasgow.
The issue, according to the Minority, was particularly concerning for athletes participating in outdoor disciplines, including athletics and para athletics.
The Minority also demanded answers over the distribution of management and committee members assigned to oversee the Ghanaian contingent.
It said reports suggested that about 90 per cent of officials were accommodated at the Moxy Hotel, while athletes were housed at other hotels where, according to the allegations, they did not receive adequate supervision and support.
Mr Assafuah said the arrangement raised questions about the effectiveness of the management structure put in place for the Games and whether sufficient officials were available at the various hotels where athletes were staying.
The Minority described as particularly disturbing an alleged incident involving a para athlete who was reportedly checked out of his hotel only hours after competing.
According to the statement, the athlete allegedly had not received his per diem when he was checked out and transported to the airport at 5:55 a.m. for a flight scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Mr Assafuah said that, if established, the incident would represent an unacceptable disregard for the dignity and welfare of an athlete who had made personal sacrifices to represent Ghana.
He consequently called for an independent investigation into the alleged treatment of the para athlete, as well as other reported incidents involving members of the contingent.
The concerns raised by the Minority come amid complaints from Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, the Black Queens, over outstanding financial obligations.
According to the statement, the players have complained about unpaid bonuses relating to Egypt 2025, their qualification for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, group-stage performances and outstanding per diems.
The players have also reportedly called for improved management, mental health assistance and stronger general welfare support.
Mr Assafuah argued that the complaints from both the Black Queens and members of the Commonwealth Games contingent could no longer be treated as isolated incidents.
“This is no longer an isolated complaint,” he said, arguing that the situation points to what could be a broader systemic failure in the management of Ghana’s national athletes.
The Minority has therefore demanded a comprehensive public account from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation on the arrangements made for Team Ghana’s participation in the Glasgow Games.
Specifically, it wants the Ministry to explain the arrangements for ticketing, accommodation, equipment and athlete welfare.
It has also called for the immediate payment of all outstanding per diems, bonuses and other financial entitlements owed to the Glasgow athletes and the Black Queens.
In addition, the Minority is demanding disclosure of the approved budget for Ghana’s participation in the Commonwealth Games, including expenditure on travel, accommodation, competition kits, officials, per diems and medal bonuses.
It is further calling for an independent investigation into the reported treatment of the para athlete and other alleged incidents of neglect.
The Minority also wants the Minister for Sports and Recreation to formally brief Parliament on the matter.
Mr Assafuah has proposed the establishment of a comprehensive athlete welfare protocol to govern all national sporting assignments.
The protocol, he said, should cover travel arrangements, accommodation, equipment, supervision, medical care, mental health support and the payment of financial entitlements.
He stressed that athletes representing the country should not be treated as an afterthought.
“Our athletes are not afterthought. They are citizens who sacrifice their bodies, careers and personal comfort to carry Ghana’s flag before the world. They deserve preparation, protection, transparency and respect,” the statement said.
The Minority further cautioned that the government could not celebrate medals and national glory while failing to adequately support the athletes whose sacrifices make such achievements possible.
It called for immediate accountability and urged the government to honour all outstanding commitments to Ghanaian athletes without further delay.
By 1960news.com
