Since June 2011, powerlifter Charles Narh Teye (pictured top), paracyclist Alem Mumuni (pictured below) and wheelchair racers Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe and Anita Fordjour have been training at the academy with a mission to represent Ghana.

Narh Teye and Alem have both qualified for the Games while their two colleagues have achieved A standard times to race in the Paralympics.

But qualifying for London 2012 is not the end of the athletes' mission because they are all determined to use the opportunity and platform to become role models for society – they aim to change the perception of disability in Ghana and inspire the next generation of disability sporting talent to become world-class athletes and leaders of change.

"It is our dream to lay some seeds for the up and coming children with disabilities and we believe the journey is not ending in London 2012," said Botsyo Nkegbe, a two-time Paralympian.

The quartet are all involved in Right to Dream because it is a charity committed to offering opportunities to talented, underprivileged individuals, nurturing role models for the development of Africa.

Across the African continent, it is challenging to become a world-class Paralympian, due to a lack of funding, equipment, accessible facilities and opportunities, to attend international competitions while people with disabilities are seen as an economic burden on the family and society at large.

Right to Dream provided the athletes with a range of support, including an intense training programme, specialist equipment, accommodation, family support and opportunities to attend international competitions, so enabling these talented athletes reach their true potential.

"Qualifying for London 2012 is not easy but sport made me realise I could do everything able-bodied people can, so I will use this opportunity to help others believe this too," said Narh Teye.


Alem, who will be the first Ghana's cyclist to compete at a Paralympic Games, echoed these comments.

"The battle has just begun," he said.

"I will work so hard to make Ghana and Africa proud.

"It is a great honour to have qualified.

"I want to change people's perceptions about people with physical disabilities.

"I have seen that the talent I have in sport is one of the tools I can use to do that."

The long-term vision of the Right to Dream Paralympic Programme is to establish the first ever residential youth parasport programme at its academy, so helping Ghana sit at the forefront of the Paralympic Movement in Africa.

Watch the quartet's efforts at the Right to Dream Academy by clicking here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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