A Women’s Right Organization, WiLDAF-Ghana has described the non-payment of the winning bonuses of the Black Queens as unfair. The Communications and Advocacy Manger of the organization, Patricia Isabella Essel told Citi News that it is “simply unfair that what they are due is not been given to them.”
She lamented that the matter should not be associated with gender interpretations because “even if it was done to men it wouldn’t have been the best.” The senior female national football team members who returned to Ghana last Sunday after winning gold in the All Africa games in Congo are demanding for bonuses before checking out of their hotel in Accra. “I will say that they should ensure that whatever promises they were given whatever entitlement they are supposed to get, they should be given because they are due it. All those who are responsible must also ensure that the women get what they are due because it’s long overdue,” Isabella Essel added. Sack Sports Minister In a related development, the National Women’s Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Otiko Afisa Djaba wants the Minister for Sports, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed sacked if bonuses owed the Black Queens are not paid them in full. “These young girls could also have refused to play if they didn’t have their bonuses paid to them in Congo but because for their love for mother Ghana they played so well that they won gold for the nation only to come home and be insulted and abused. That is unforgivable,” the NPP’s women’s organiser stated.
Otiko Afisa Djaba speaking to Citi News also insisted that the sector Minister should also apologise to the footballers and their officials. “Dr. Mustapha and the government of Ghana must apologise and if they don’t pay them this money he must be sacked. There is no compromise on this issue. What is good for the men is also good for the women.” Otiko Djaba lamented that the amount due the footballers “is not even up to one million dollars” and that the nation “should be able to pay the bonuses to these young girls. Not even half, they should be paid in full and make sure that nobody removes them from that hotel.” She further advocated that the Black Queens should be well fed and a party beheld in their honour “so that they will all feel good about being Ghanaian.”
