Veteran Ghanaian para-athlete Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe has called on the government to prioritise investment in athletes, insisting that Ghana cannot expect consistent success at major international competitions without adequately funding sports development.
Speaking after competing in the Men’s 1500m T54 final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Botsyo said countries that consistently win medals do so because they invest heavily in athlete preparation.
“The medals are made by nations that invest. Nations that invest more, win more medals,” he stated.
The veteran wheelchair racer said government should channel more resources into athlete preparation rather than focusing on reward packages after competitions.
“I’d prefer Government invest $9,000 in my preparation and give me $1,000 if I win gold,” he said.
According to Botsyo, investing in quality equipment, coaching, sports science and international exposure would produce better results than increasing bonuses after athletes have already competed.
Drawing from more than two decades of representing Ghana, he revealed that he has often had to purchase his own specialised racing equipment while competing against athletes backed by comprehensive national support systems.
Botsyo stressed that while Ghanaian para-athletes have the talent to compete with the world’s best, chronic underinvestment continues to limit their potential on the international stage.
He also argued that the responsibility for winning medals should not rest solely on the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Ghana.
“NPC Ghana cannot carry the burden of a medal-winning mentality alone,” he said.
Botsyo, however, commended the leadership of NPC Ghana for its continued commitment to supporting para-athletes despite limited resources.
“Every para-athlete in Ghana currently competes for the President of NPC Ghana because he is the one who believes in the para-athletes,” he remarked.
The veteran athlete said if Ghana is serious about becoming a consistent medal-winning nation, investment in athlete development must become a national strategy supported by government, corporate Ghana and other stakeholders.
For Botsyo, the path to international success is straightforward: “Investment produces preparation. Preparation produces performance. Performance produces medals.”
