Baffoe speaks on ‘proper’ welfare officers

Ex-Ghana defender Antyhony Baffoe says a ‘proper’ welfare officer of international repute is needed for all the national teams.

The FIFA/CAF General Co-ordinator made this suggestion when he appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry gathering facts about Ghana’s poor showing at the 2014 World Cup.

According to Baffoe, a well-trained easily identifiable personality must be given an elevated task as a welfare officer in the national teams – especially the Black Stars – other than what is currently being practiced.

“If I may ask the question, do you know what a welfare officer is,” Baffoe quizzed the commission. “Just like the structure with Germany and Oliver Bierhoff. He doesn’t only distribute letters and money and all those things.

“He also does scouting. He tracks the performance of players and do follow ups at their clubs.

“For instance if someone like Stephen Appiah picks up the phone and calls AC Milan to ask about Michael Essien, everybody knows him. Or even Marcel Desailly.

“We need to make very good use of these ex internationals.”

Baffoe who is the General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) also tendered in a well prepared document from his outfit to the commission on how to raise and strengthen player unions in Ghana.

He spoke of the need to have a regularized minimum wage, health and pension cover for footballers especially in the local leagues.