Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku has donated GH¢50,000 to Ghana’s national amputee football team, the Black Challenge, and pledged to support eight locally based players to venture into poultry farming after the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
The intervention combines financial support for the team’s World Cup campaign with a proposed livelihood initiative aimed at helping the players build economic opportunities beyond football.
Mr Opoku made the announcement during a visit to the team’s training session at the University of Ghana, accompanied by Deputy Minister John Dumelo, the ministry’s Chief Director and its budget officer.
He told the players that the delegation’s presence was intended to demonstrate national support as they prepared to represent Ghana at the tournament.
“You are going to hold the flag of Ghana, and our presence here indicates that the whole nation is behind you,” he said.
“You are stronger than you know,” he added, urging the team to compete with confidence and make the country proud.
Mr Opoku subsequently announced the GH¢50,000 donation, saying the players needed both encouragement and financial backing ahead of the competition.
The contribution follows a GH¢100,000 donation from dancehall artiste Stonebwoy, bringing the two announced contributions to GH¢150,000.
Beyond the immediate tournament, the minister said the eight locally based players would be supported to participate in the government’s Nkoko Nketenkete poultry programme.
“When you return, we want the players to be part of our Nkoko Nketenkete programme. We’re putting together a special package, so as soon as you return, get in touch with us,” he said.
The proposed initiative could give the players an opportunity to develop an additional source of income alongside their sporting careers, although details of the package have yet to be outlined.
“We are here to be part of your story,” Mr Opoku told the team.
Ghana will compete in Group D against Angola, Colombia and Iraq at the 2026 World Amputee Football Federation tournament, scheduled for November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico.
Twenty-four national teams are expected to compete for the title.
