Samson Deen re-elected President of National Paralympic Committee of Ghana

Samson Deen has retained his position as President of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Ghana, running unopposed at the 2024 Elective General Assembly, which took place at the Accra Digital Center on October 10, 2024.

Deen initially assumed office in 2019, securing seven votes against his opponent, Shabaan Mohammed, the Technical Director of the Ghana Cycling Association, who received six votes.

During his first term, Ghana hosted the first African Para Games, where the Black Challenge (Amputee Football Team) excelled by winning the tournament. The Ghana Amputee team was also crowned champions of Africa in May this year after defeating host nation Morocco. Deen also led Ghana to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Speaking exclusively to JoySports after his re-election, Deen expressed his mission to ensure that Ghana is well represented at the next Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.

“The membership of the Paralympic movement deemed it wise to retain me. Today’s event shows that we have a new face and a new direction to ensure that Ghana is represented at the LA 2028 Paralympic Games in the USA,” he said.

“Our main goal as the NPC board is to establish a strong base for para-sports associations in the country and use that foundation to develop athletes who can compete on the global stage. We’ll need everyone’s support to take para-sports to the next level.”

Deen is currently the President of the African Paralympic Committee (APC). He secured 24 votes in the election, defeating Morocco’s Hamid El Aouni, who received 15 votes, to replace Leonel da Rocha Pinto, who had held the position for 13 years.

At the NPC Ghana Elective Assembly also, Evans Yeboah was elected Vice President, Henry Larbi took the Secretary role and Richard Teinor was elected Treasurer. Four executive members—Iddriss Ayishetu Farida, Foster Kwarteng, Mary Apedo, and Anthony Gyening—were also elected to complete the board.