Of the African witch and her footballer victim

Africa’s young and rich are found amongst footballers (definitely not the local ones); no wonder I want to marry an international footballer.

Of course, soccer is the other path to riches in Africa, aside politics. It is no hidden truth that footballers are paid handsomely especially those who play in top notch European clubs like Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and the rest.

Many have criticized the exorbitant salaries these footballers are paid; saying it is outrageous; but everybody loves football. Footballers are not like television personalities or movie makers who can still be in business till their last breath and I believe people in such a lucrative business as theirs, should never find themselves in financial troubles.

With the occasional leg or knee injury which is likely to put them on the bench, football players often find themselves in the voluntary-retirement profession. By age 40 most football players have thrown in the towel. Life indeed they say starts at 40.

So before the beginning of life, we see our footballers flaunt their flashy custom-made super cars, mega luxurious homes, jaw-dropping priced watches and belts and live the ‘tomorrow will take care of itself’ lifestyle. Here in Ghana, concerned fans like us wonder whether their minds are as matured as they want it to seem, seeing how they spend effortlessly.

It is a common practice in Europe and other developed countries for rich youngsters to have wealth management firms manage their assets, though most of these folks do not even understand what it is that these wealth management firms does for them.

All the same, these athletes end up entrusting their wealth in the hands of some management. One reason could be due to security measures. Another could be as a result of recommendation by equally rich young friends (you know they move in such classes). Whatever the case, there is some form of management of their wealth.

We cannot confirm whether some young millionaires, particularly those from this part of the world, receive financial advice or have wealth creation and management companies working for them.

Growing up, I have heard of and seen the rise and fall of football players who otherwise could have done better than they did; for themselves and for their countries. One may wonder whether they ever received a prophesy like Jay-Z that they would remain rich and forever young. Though some had earnings in millions of dollars, they were unable to retain and manage it after they retire. After few years of retirement they lose everything.

I remember Abedi Pele, Tony Baffuor, Yaw Preko Anthony Baffuor, Isaac Asare, Nii Odartey Lamptey, and Mohammed Gargo (who was then the youngest player in the Black Star team sent to the 1992 African Cup of Nations). I also remember Kwame Ayew and the darling boy, Daniel Addo. (The chap was so fine- more than Agogo, Kelvin Prince Boateng or Akwasi Appiah- that as young as I was then I had a crush on him.) And so the list is endless, Ghana has had some brilliant talents in the football industry. Where are they and what are their success story now?

Sadly, only few put their wealth into profitable ventures. The lot of them are still playing 4-corner pole with their sons just to earn a living. Their failure is most often than not attributed to the over-rated witches of Africa. As I overheard one such player say, Africa’s den of witches ensure that nothing good comes from Africa, whilst the white witches ensure they sustain the development of their countries. Really? I never knew racism is practicable even in spiritual matters.

Today, it’s Ghana’s own ‘Baby Jet’ Asamoah Gyan, André Dede Ayew, Sulley Ali Muntari, Afriyie Acquah, John Boye, Christian Atsu Salay, Jordan Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah amongst others who are known to be top Ghanaian football earners. Though we do not know how these youngsters spend their monies and what others may have done, we remain proud to be associated with these big names in international football. No wonder a huge number of Ghanaians know more about European football than our local football.

Not to sound like a prophet of doom, I do not want to visualize a time when we will hear stories like, ‘I have never gone to see anybody to destroy the career of any player but the person who did what happened to me told me that they brought me to him to destroy my legs so I will be operated on several times and then stop playing.

I have been operated twice and it was after these that the person said he had regretted bewitching me’. Or yet another one like what made headlines some time ago about a wife being responsible for her footballer husband’s failed career.

However, there have been some wise investment plans like bills and bonds bought for some of them some time ago. But how lasting are these investments? Establishing charities and foundations is the one area most of them are diverting into now, but is it so worthy a cause? In fact Ghana and Africa as a whole needs more of such foundations but I also bet, most of these organizations and their patrons as well, do not have focus, they tend to take whatever comes their way.

To sustain one’s wealth, upcoming football players and those already making their monies should learn from their failed successors, they should try and minimize how they spend, they must invest in profitable ventures, they must set realistic goals for themselves, they MUST KEEP POSITIVE-MINDED FRIENDS, and they must be generous. This is my free advice to all Ghana’s rich and forever young athletes. There are now sound investment companies, banks and financial organizations and experts who would readily assist them should they take the step.

No one should expect the good people of Ghana to sympathize with anyone who never did anything for their country when they had the means to. They may come up with the witch-sabotage tales but disappointing is the story when you cannot show anything for all those injuries and hard work we have witnessed; expecting already agitated Ghanaians to lobby for a place in a low division club for you. We have exorcists on the standby!