Accra (Greater Accra), 17 March '99 -

A 27-member contingent of athletes and officials will represent Ghana at the Special Olympics for the mentally retarded slated for North Carolina, USA in June. Ghana, which has participated in the four-yearly event since 1983 and won a total of 27 medals, would be among 150 countries to be represented by about 7,000 athletes. Mrs Ellen Essilfie, President of the Ghana Special Olympics Committee said this at a press briefing in Accra, Tuesday, where she introduced a three-member delegation from the International Special Olympics Federation. The delegation, in the country for a review assistance programme to ascertain the strength, improvements, needs and difficulties of the Ghana Special Olympics Committee, comprises, Mr Komlavi Ataty (Togo), Anna Necheles (USA) and Ida Muyinza (Uganda). Mr Ataty, leader of the delegation commended the government for supporting the Special Olympics and the Special Schools for the mentally retarded, "there is now the need to reach those at home", he added. He said through the activities of the Special Olympics and the Special Schools, parents would be encouraged to bring in their family members and relatives to train because " mental retardation is a situation not a disease". Mrs Essilfie said the Special Olympics is voluntary-based and appealed for assistance and sponsorship since the government alone could not bear the financial burden. She commended Ghana Airways for pledging five return tickets and a 20 per cent discount on the fares of the remaining 22 members of the contingent.