By Celestine Avi
President John Dramani Mahama has lauded the Black Queens for their heroic performance at the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The Queens, who secured bronze at the tournament, presented their medal to the President and Vice President in a symbolic gesture of national pride and unity.
The team visited the Presidency to present their bronze medal to President Mahama and Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, following their impressive run at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Morocco.
Accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku, and led by the Sports Minister, the Queens received a warm welcome and commendation from the President.
President Mahama congratulated the team for putting up a brave fight, especially in their semi-final clash against host nation Morocco. He described the match as a difficult one but praised the Queens for playing with what he called “a lion’s heart.”
“Playing against a host country is never easy. You held them through to penalties and fought back to bring home the bronze. Ghanaians are proud of you,” the President said.
He assured the team of the government’s renewed commitment to investing in sports infrastructure and talent development. Under the Big Push initiative, he revealed that every region without a stadium would receive a modern sports facility.
The President also pledged to:
- Prioritize sports talent in security recruitment.
- Equip selected schools with modern sports infrastructure to serve as training hubs;
- Provide continuous support to the GFA.
- And explore a dedicated funding stream for sports development.
President Mahama expressed optimism that the Black Queens would go even further in future tournaments.
“I’m hopeful that before I leave office, you’ll bring home the ultimate prize—the gold medal,” he said.
As a token of appreciation, the President and Vice President presented an undisclosed cash package to the team.
GFA President Kurt Okraku thanked the President for his unwavering support, pledging to align the Association’s revival agenda with the government’s Reset Ghana vision.
