Gifty Oware-Mensah, a member of the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has sparked controversy by justifying the preferential treatment given to the senior men's national football team, the Black Stars, over other national teams. In an exclusive interview with Joy Sports, Oware-Mensah addressed the ongoing issue of outstanding bonuses owed to the senior women's national team, the Black Queens, highlighting the stark disparities in treatment between the two teams.
The Black Queens currently face a dire situation, with players reportedly owed significant bonuses from their qualification games for both the African Women's Cup of Nations and the 2024 Olympic Games. Despite their grievances and the looming threat of a boycott of their final Olympic qualifier against Zambia, Oware-Mensah seemingly downplayed the issue, suggesting that the prominence and global appeal of the Black Stars justify the preferential treatment they receive.
Oware-Mensah emphasized the commercial value of the Black Stars as the primary brand of the Ghana Football Association, asserting that the team's popularity extends far beyond Ghana's borders. She implied that the male team's dominance in garnering public support and affection justifies the disparity in treatment between the Black Stars and the Black Queens.
Her comments have ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many questioning the fairness and equity of prioritizing one national team over others. Critics argue that all national teams representing Ghana should be treated with equal respect and consideration, regardless of gender or commercial appeal.
Oware-Mensah's remarks shed light on the entrenched gender disparities within Ghanaian football and raise broader questions about the prioritization of men's sports over women's sports. The controversy underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to address gender inequality and ensure equitable treatment of all athletes representing Ghana on the international stage.
As the debate rages on, stakeholders within the Ghana Football Association and the broader sporting community are urged to confront these issues head-on and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all athletes, regardless of gender or commercial considerations.