Hearts legend appeals for help

Former Accra Hearts of Oak defender, Edward Agyemang Duah, popularly known as “Rambo” in the football arena, who has been hit by stroke for over five years, and now paralyzed, has called for support from government and other benevolent organisations as well as football institutions.

He was the only player to play three finals of the CAF Champions League with three different clubs including Goldfields, Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak.

Edward Agyemang Duah, who is currently undergoing physiotherapy treatment at Grace Homeopathic Clinic in Akatsi Abor near Agbogba, in a narration of his sad predicament made a passionate appeal for support.

According to him, when the ailment begun, he received some financial assistance from certain people, but that couldn’t do much for him as far as treatment was concerned.

He said people and organisations like GFA President , Kwasi Nyantakyi, supported him financially in 2014 while Bishop Adofo of Peace Chapel, Prophet Badu Kobi, Pastor John of The Alter of Faith Ministries, Professional Footballers Association President, Tony Baffour, ,Togbe Afede, Samuel Osei Kufuor, Pastor Kwame Ayew and Kenendy Agyepong are among those who have offered him support so far.

Agyemang Duah also enumerated that, due to his situation, he finds it difficult to honour his financial obligations, “Things became difficult, I don’t have money to go for treatment, for physiotherapy and other therapies that will help me stand on my feet. Even my rent has now become difficult for me to pay,” he said.

The 46-year-old defender is calling friends and sympathisers to assist him financially from this his predicament at his hired apartment and also urged government to offer support to Grace Homeopathic Clinic, which is offering treatment for him free of charge.

The football legend who is two weeks into treatment at Grace Homeopathic Clinic, expressed great satisfaction at his steady progress, admitting that the Clinic has done a lot to see to his recovery.

However, he called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Minister of Sports, Hon Isaac Asiamah, the management and board of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Accra Hearts of Oak and all his former clubs and team-mates to come to his aid.

“I am making this appeal because I cannot solely leave all my burdens on the shoulders of Grace Homeopathic Clinic. There is nothing God cannot do. Sometimes when I watch television and I see how other countries and teams support their players who find themselves in situations like mine, I weep,” he said amid tears.

According to him, he can now move his hands, legs, limbs and can even talk clearer as compared to some five years ago. “I am appealing to the whole nation to come to my aid.”

Meanwhile in an interview with Chester Bonnako, Doctor In charge of Grace Homeopathic Clinic, he said the Clinic has decided to take care of the Ghanaian legend for the next eight months for free.

According to Dr. Chester Bonnako, it was high time government of Ghana pooled resources together and honoured its heroes. “We cannot see such a great legend suffer in pain and isolation, so we offered to help,” he said.

“The Clinic is taking care of his bills, medication, and therapy. This man has contributed a lot for this country and the least we can do for him is to offer the little help we can to ensure we save him from this predicament,” Doctor Bonnako added.

Agyemang Duah is undergoing physiotherapy three times every week and periodic scans at the Clinic for the doctors to monitor his recovery progress.

“You see, the Clinic was recently approached with his situation. But with Homeo everything is possible; within the eight months I can assure you that he will be fine. It is rather unfortunate that we heard of him at this later stage of the ailment. But we can all see progress in the way he moves his limbs, hands and even talk,” the Doctor added.