Akufo-Addo redeems $150,000 pledge to Tokyo Olympic team

President Nana Akufo-Addo has redeemed the $150,000 pledge he made to Ghana's 2020 Olympic Games team when they arrived from the multi-sports competition in August.

The presentation was held today by the Minister of Youth and Sports to reward 14 athletes and seven coaches with a total package of $150,000.

An amateur boxer, Samuel Takyi, who clinched a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games was given $10,000, a Nissan Sunny car worth $20,000, and another $20.000 for his career development. In all, Takyi received $50,000 for winning bronze at the Games

The other 13 athletes received $5,000 each and the seven coaches of the fives disciplines that represented Ghana at the quadrennial Games also bagged $5,000 each.

Mr. Ussif Mustapha, the Minister of Youth and Sports said, the reward from the government was to motivate other athletes when they represent Ghana at the international stage to perform and win laurels for the nation.

He added that preparations were ongoing towards the hosting of the 2023 Africa Games and was optimistic the necessary facilities would be ready for the Games.

“I want to assure all and sundry that government is committed to supporting the Local Organising Committee to ensure that Ghana presents a formidable team to win more laurels during the games,” he said.

He stressed that the government was committed to providing support for the development of sports, especially the less funded sports to win medals in the 2023 Africa Games and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The Minister admonished athletes not to be swollen-headed and complacent with Ghana's results, adding that, athletes should eschew negative vices such as drugs, smoking, and alcoholism.

The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah appealed to President Akufo-Addo to also reward other members of the team including the medical team that worked towards Ghana's success at the Olympic Games.

Takyi, the only athlete to win a medal expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo, the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Amateur Boxing Federation, and Ghanaians for their immense support at the Olympics.

GNA