Audio By Carbonatix
Newly elected President of the African Paralympics Committee, Samson Deen says his unique leadership style will drive the sport on the continent to a higher threshold of development.
Samson Deen, who was elected at the just ended General Assembly in Rabat, takes over from Angolan, Leonel da Rocha Pinto who has been at the helm for 13 years.
Deen's election is the first time a Ghanaian has risen to level of managing para-sports on the continental stage.
The Ghana National Paralympic Committee President polled 24 of the total votes (41) cast and had closely behind him president of the Morocco Paralympic committee, Hamid El Aouni polling 15 votes.
Samson Deen moments after the triumph, explained to Joy Sports why his leadership would differ from what the Committee has experienced in the last decade.
"I promise an assurance to Africans, as I said in front of delegates. I told them 'a vote for Samson Deen, is a vote for leadership'.
"I am born to lead and I have examples to prove. They know what I can do. In fact at Congress, they attest to the fact that - in all motions I supported won, because we knew that we needed those changes in our constitution and in our paralympic movement in Africa," he said.
Deen was elected President of the National Paralympics Committee in 2019 and was endorsed by Ministry of Youth and Sports who were represented by the Deputy Sports Minister Evans Bobie Opoku in Rabat.
The Member of Parliament for the Asunafo North Constituency in the Brong-Ahafo Region was excited to witness a big win for Ghana.
"We are so glad and excited that a Ghanaian has been elected as an African Paralympic Committee president. In that way, the African Paralympic Committee HQ is going to be in Ghana and so we are happy.
"We are waiting for Deen and his team to come out of the room and the celebration and excitement will begin," he said to Joy Sports.
Positions of President, Secretary General, Vice president Treasurer and representatives from the language communities (Arabic, English , French and Portuguese ) and the Athletes representative were contested .
Samson Deen was grateful to H.E President Akufo-Addo for the support throughout the process of campaigning and at the General Assembly in Rabat.
"You need to understand the terrain and understand what really is the message. Our message won and I'll say thank you to the people of Ghana, to Joy, thank you" Deen said.
Ghana is aiming to become the first country to host the African Games alongside an African Para Games in 2023 and Deen’s election is viewed as a huge boost to achieving that.
Latest Stories
-
Gender Ministry meets Nana Akua Addo’s husband over domestic violence after hospital discharge
28 minutes -
UG Vice-Chancellor urges swift operationalisation of National Research Fund
46 minutes -
Pope Leo to have surgery after lump found in lung
53 minutes -
Joseph Cudjoe writes: Ghana must break free from the dangerous mindset that natural resources are the foundation for wealth
1 hour -
Children among 109 dead after boat capsizes off Djibouti, UN says
1 hour -
OmniBSIC Bank’s 11th health walk promotes fitness and business growth
1 hour -
2026 World Maritime Day: Danish Embassy organises “The Gulf of Guinea Speaks”
2 hours -
New Economy will tackle unemployment and restore hope – Ato Forson
2 hours -
IMMILAC president recounts personal losses as security women lead breast cancer awareness campaign in Wa
2 hours -
University of Ghana postpones October 12 reopening as GAUA strike persists
2 hours -
Bahass Foundation launches vocational skills training to support mental health recovery in Wa
3 hours -
NPP orders parliamentary aspirants and their supporters to suspend campaign activities
3 hours -
Techiman unites against child marriage: Joy Impact Makers Awardee leads charge on International Day of the Girl Child
4 hours -
Ghana Psychological Association calls for greater involvement of people with lived experience in mental health care
5 hours -
Ablakwa says Ghana could evacuate more citizens from South Africa if the situation worsens
5 hours