Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe and Second Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. Jerry Ahmed-Shaib has strongly criticized the state and Ghana’s sports authorities for what he called the “systematic neglect and abandonment” of former national U-17 goalkeeper, Ali Jarrah.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Shaib described Jarrah as “a national treasure whose name should be etched in gold in the annals of Ghana’s sporting history,” adding that his mistreatment is “one of the most shameful chapters in our nation’s sporting history.”

Ali Jarrah was part of Ghana’s historic 1991 U-17 World Cup-winning team and later starred at the U-20 World Cup and African U-17 Championship in 1993. But his rising career was cut short after a match injury in 1993 left him paralyzed.

The Member of Parliament accused the Ministry of Sports and the Ghana Football Association of failing in their duty of care, saying: “The GFA has shown a disturbing lack of gratitude and responsibility.”

Despite his condition, Jarrah now runs a small chalk production business. Hon. Shaib urged the Ministry of Education to support it through bulk purchasing and logistics.

“There exists a perfect synergy between supporting this sporting legend and meeting genuine educational requirements,” he said.

Shaib also called for a national support system for injured athletes that includes medical care, financial aid, and entrepreneurship assistance.

“Let us demonstrate that Ghana truly values those who sacrifice everything for the honor and glory of our beloved nation,” he concluded.