Ghana’s women’s long jump record holder, Deborah Acquah, has shared her disheartening experience at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, revealing she was denied financial support while two other athletes received aid from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“The only thing that broke my heart was what happened in Budapest [last year],” Acquah said in an interview with JoySports. She recounted how officials questioned her about a previous interview with JoySports Editor Fentuo Tahiru, where she mentioned unfulfilled promises of support from Ghana without naming anyone specifically.

When pressed, Acquah identified Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President Ben Nunoo Mensah as the source of the promise. Despite this, she was left feeling overlooked and undervalued when she did not receive the $8,000 financial support given to her peers, Joseph Paul Amoah and James Dadzie.

Seeking clarification from Ghana Athletics President Mr. Bawah Fuseini, Acquah was told she wouldn’t receive the money because her injury occurred while she was in school, implying that her school should cover her needs. This response shocked her, especially since other athletes who had also faced injuries received support.

During discussions, it was suggested that the responsibility for her promised funds might fall back on Ben Nunoo Mensah. However, Mr. Bawah later informed her that Mr. Nunoo Mensah denied making any promises, leaving Acquah without the support she had hoped for.

Deborah Acquah, who won a bronze medal for Ghana at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August 2022, expressed her disappointment and frustration over the unfair treatment she experienced.