Ghana Rowing Federation appeals for funds to clear goods at Togo border

General Secretary of the Ghana Rowing Federation, R.O Lamptey is calling on the National Sports Authority and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to aid his outfit clear equipment donated to them by the International Rowing Federation at the Ghana- Togo Border.

Ghana was part of the countries that benefited from the massive donation exercise which is aimed at developing the sport on the continent.

Beneficiaries received 2 single rowing boats, 2 double rowing boats and six sets of scull.

The federation however have being unable to clear the equipment for use since it arrived at the Ghana -Togo border in April last year citing inadequate funds.

Speaking to JOY Sports, R .O Lamptey explained that an initial promise of tax exemption for clearing the equipment was suddenly overturned and that has made it difficult for his outfit to raise the sums of money needed to clear the equipment.

"After the international body donated the equipment, we had a memorandum of understanding between the international body, national sports authority and the ministry of sports that the clearance of the equipment was duty free. We suddenly had a response from the national revenue authority that the facility could not be extended to sports" he said.

The International Rowing Federation has threatened to re assign the equipment to another country around the West African region if Ghana is unable to clear the equipment for use in the not too distant future.

R.O Lamptey is calling on major stakeholders to provide some respite as soon as possible.

"We want appeal to the national sports authority, and the honorable Minister of youth and Sports who has just taken over to come to their aid and help us clear the equipment so that we can be registered for international events which is another condition for the clearance" he added.