The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana (NPC-Ghana), a reputable organization dedicated to promoting and developing Paralympic sports in Ghana, has categorically denied rumours that a Ghanaian Paralympic team absconded in Oslo, Norway.
It comes after a report by the Ministry of National Security said an 11-member team alleged to be members of the Paralympic team disappeared in Norway in April when they were scheduled to participate in an event. One member of that team was subsequently apprehended while another died, the report said.
In a press release, NPC-Ghana described the reports as “false and maliciously misleading” and urged media outlets to retract their stories and apologize.
The NPC-Ghana stated that the individuals involved, Theodore Mawuli Viworor and Ernest Yaw Ayisi of the Ernestay Disability Foundation, have admitted to facilitating the trip with forged letters from NPC-Ghana and the defunct Ghana Amputee Football Association. These individuals are not associated with NPC-Ghana; their actions constitute impersonation and misrepresentation.
NPC-Ghana emphasized that they have not applied to the Norwegian Embassy to facilitate a Paralympic team’s travel to Norway or sponsored a team to participate in any international competition in Norway.
The committee urged media outlets, including TV3 and Kwadwo Sheldon, to delete any content that misrepresents the situation and to issue unqualified apologies to the Ghana Paralympic family.
NPC-Ghana stressed the importance of accurate reporting and protecting disability sports, urging the media to exercise due diligence in the future and to verify information with NPC-Ghana before publishing any news related to the Paralympic team.
In a statement, NPC-Ghana reiterated its commitment to promoting disability sports and ensuring that its athletes receive the support they deserve. The organization expressed its trust in the media’s ability to exercise due diligence in the future and protect the integrity of the athletes.
