The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Ghana and its President, Mr. Samson Deen, have been placed under an interlocutory injunction by an Accra High Court, effectively halting their operations.
The ruling, issued on September 4th, stems from a legal suit filed by the National Paralympic Athletes’ Commission of Ghana, alleging a failure to conduct elections in accordance with constitutional requirements and a broader disregard for the NPC’s governing document.
In a press statement released recently, the National Paralympic Athletes’ Commission updated the sports community on the legal developments, emphasising that the court action was “deemed necessary to uphold the principles of integrity, justice,” and to prevent what they described as “further ableism, abuse of privilege, irregularities, illegalities, unprofessionalism, and unruly behaviour” by officials overseeing national disability sports.
The lawsuit highlights a series of alleged constitutional violations and misconduct by the NPC leadership during their tenure. These include:
• Exceeding Term Limits: An alleged overextension of the President’s office tenure to five years (2019-2024) instead of the constitutionally designated four years.
• Lack of Meetings: The absence of any mandatory Annual General Meetings (AGM), General Assembly Meetings, or Board Meetings for the past five years.
• Vacancy in General Secretary Position: A two-year gap in the appointment of a General Secretary without official notification to members.
• Extended Appointments: Instances of appointments lasting longer than four years.
• Unilateral Constitutional Amendments: Allegations of constitutional amendments made without prior General Assembly approval and without obtaining the requisite International Paralympic Committee (IPC) endorsement.
• Suspension of Members: Reports of Paralympians and sports officials being sidelined or dismissed based on personal biases, without due process or a fair hearing.
• Influence of Personal Relationships: An alleged pattern of appointing family members and friends to leadership positions within the national federation.
Following the court’s ruling, the Athletes’ Commission stated its intention to collaborate with all legitimate federations in good standing, national stakeholders, and the National Sports Authority.
Their aim is to propose eminent persons to constitute an ad hoc committee or Elective Board. This body would be tasked with facilitating proper and fair elections in accordance with the NPC constitution and guided by IPC precedents and directives.
The Commission issued a stern warning, urging all concerned parties to “refrain from any actions that may constitute abetment or contempt of the court’s directives.”
They also advised all individuals and organisations to discontinue any engagements or dealings with the injuncted NPC president, Mr. Samson Deen, the NPC of Ghana, or any representatives purporting to act on their behalf.
The injunction is a turning point for Ghanaian disability sport, prompting demands for greater transparency, stronger governance and fidelity to Paralympic values. The Athletes’ Commission thanked partners for their support and vowed to help re-establish lawful leadership at the NPC.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com