Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye Denies Involvement in Ghana Weightlifting Federation Disputes

 

Former Minister for Youth and Sports Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has strongly rejected allegations that he is involved in the internal matters of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF). This comes after claims made by the federation’s former president Jerry Shaib who accused Vanderpuye of using National Security personnel to advance his own agenda within the sport.

In an exclusive interview with mrwoode.com Vanderpuye was quick to clarify his stance stating that he has no interest in the sport of weightlifting or the governance of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation. He emphasized that his focus is solely on his current responsibilities and that he is no longer interested in the internal workings of federations like GWF, the Ghana Olympic Committee or the Ghana Athletics Federation.

My interest in sports is only to be a fan of sports for now not in any official capacity or in the leadership of any federation, Vanderpuye explained. He further added that his current role as assigned by the president is his priority and he finds it unnecessary to involve himself in the internal politics of federations.

Vanderpuye’s comments came in the wake of a press release from the Ghana Weightlifting Federation on March 27, 2025, which revealed that the federation had no sitting president or board members. This announcement highlighted the ongoing leadership disputes and internal struggles within the federation leaving its governance structure in a state of uncertainty.

Vanderpuye’s dismissal of the allegations underscores the growing tension within the Ghana Weightlifting Federation as the organization struggles to resolve its leadership issues. The lack of clear leadership and governance at the top has raised concerns among athletes, administrators, and stakeholders within the sport.

As the situation unfolds it remains to be seen how the Ghana Weightlifting Federation will address its internal conflicts and stabilize its leadership. Meanwhile, Vanderpuye’s focus on his current responsibilities suggests that he intends to stay clear of the controversy surrounding the federation.