Black Wonders petition President John Mahama for DAFCON 2026 funding

Ghana's national deaf football team, the Black Wonders, has issued an urgent appeal to President John Mahama for financial intervention ahead of the 2026 Deaf African Football Cup of Nations (DAFCON). The competition is scheduled for November 30 to December 13, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and serves as a vital qualifier for the Deaf World Cup. This tournament is of critical importance as it serves as a qualifying competition for the Deaf World Cup, making the team's participation essential for their continued growth and international presence. According to the Ghana Deaf Football Association (GDFA), the Black Wonders have historically suffered from systemic neglect and a persistent lack of parity in government sponsorship compared to other national football teams. The association revealed that the team is currently burdened by outstanding debts from previous tournaments, most notably an unpaid hotel bill from their participation in the 2023 Deaf World Cup in Malaysia. These financial constraints have severely hindered the team's ability to cover basic operational expenses and prepare adequately for their upcoming continental assignments. The team's leadership has expressed deep frustration over this disparity in treatment, questioning why athletes with disabilities do not receive the same level of institutional support as their able-bodied counterparts. Despite achieving notable success on the international stage, the Black Wonders maintain that their efforts have not been supported with the necessary resources. The direct appeal to President Mahama is viewed as a final effort to secure the state support required to settle past arrears and fund the upcoming trip to Ethiopia, ensuring that the players can represent Ghana without the distraction of financial instability.