Sports journalist, Listowel Mensah, has hit back at former Minister of Sports Mustapha Ussif over the Black Queens ’ 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal success.
The ex-minister who is a Member of Parliament for the people of Yagaba-Kabori on the floor of the Parliament of Ghana, expressed joy over the female national team’s performance and went on to claim credit for the team to the erstwhile Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo government for its huge investment.
“The Npp government under Nana Akufo-Addo laid the foundation for the success of the Black Queens today, we hosted Africa games in Ghana which Black Princess won, today some of them are part of the Black Queens.
“We built numerous AstroTurf across the country and paid female footballers in the women premier league stipends, most of the girls who enjoyed the funds are part of the team today,” Mustapha Ussif stated in Parliament Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Reacting to the minister’s assertion on Floodlight Sports, Listowel Mensah rebuked the former sports minister.
“What is Honorable Mustapha saying? Has he forgotten he refused to provide funds when the Ghana Football Association wanted to arranged friendly games for the Black Queens? Didn’t he snub them, citing the Black Stars had disgraced him so he can’t provide any funds for the ladies? What is he talking about? He wants credit because there is success today?” he questioned.
The Angel TV journalist, however, credited the team’s success to the president of the footballing association, Kurt Okraku, and challenged the minister to back his claims with proof.
“Well, I will give 100% credit to Kurt Okraku’s led GFA, if the Minister says he had a plan for the team, he should produce the policy document backing his claims let’s see,” he added.
Mr. Mensah went on to thank the Minority Caucus in Parliament for donating GHC100,000 to the Black Queens.
The Black Queens finished third in the WAFCON after beating South Africa 4-3 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
