Reports in the media indicate that players of the Senior National team, the Black Stars, virtually sneaked into the country, hiding their faces on arrival at the Kotoko International Airport without the usual heroic welcome after international competitions.
Of course, they had to, because the hand-writings were on the wall. This is because after the team, as the UK telegraph will put it, " lions lead by donkeys" threw patriotism and nationalism in order to seek personal greed, gluttony and selfishness, no Ghana was ever going to "waste" his or her time to storm the Airport to welcome them.
The fallouts have been galore.
From poor hotel arrangements, poor flight arrangements from Accra to Holland,to Miami, to Brazil with players traveling in some cases over 19 hours in an economy class whiles Ghana President, Mr Kwesi Nyantakye,his wife and kids "cruised" in business class on same flights. A World Cup appearance flout with accusations of match-fixing scandals involving the FA President and other football people in Ghana, player revolt reports, player-coach disagreements because of overbearing influence by management committee members, tempers flaring in a meeting apparently to resolve a delay in the payment of appearance fees. Sulley Ali Muntari physically assaulting a a management committee member because the management member claimed to be "more of a gangster" than the player. Suspension of Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley from camp and their accreditations revoked days before Ghana played its crucial game against Portugal. Naturally this was a failed World Cup appearance.
It's therefore not surprising that the nation is calling for one sanction or the other in attempt to salvage our dwindled corporate image in global football.
It's 2:26 am here in Tamale. I traveled to Atumfouso in the Tain District of the Brong Aharfo Region on Saturday. Left Kumasi yesterday heading to Sandema. It's been a tiring journey as I stopped by over tens of filling stations in search of fuel on these necessary family- business related travels.
As i drove by villages and towns, i stopped by and discussed the World Cup. Dejections, lamentations, disappointments and sorrows are chronicled to me by the common Ghanaian. Ghana is singing one song. And this one song is the song for the need to investigate our World Cup failures and humiliation. Ghanaian want to know. The nation wants to comprehend the role of the Ghana Football Association led by Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyie and the Ministry of Youth and Sports which was led by Elvis Afriyie Ankrah. Reports have it that the President of Cameroon, H.E Paul Biya has called for an immediate inquiry into that country's participation in the World Cup.
"I will at all costs reform the Football Federation, and i don't care what FIFA says. It's my country and I owe it to the millions who love the game" he said. Asking the would-be Commission to present it's results within one month. "And make proposals for its deep and urgent reconstruction of Cameroon football". President Biya added.
This is a serious President of a serious football nation.
It is In the light of the above and many other concerns that i call on the President, H.E John Dramani Mahama to without delay, set up an independent non-partisan Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Black Stars shameful appearance at the World Cup. This call is the call of the Ghanaian. The tax paying Ghanaian. For the records, let me recount to encourage the President to act without fear or favor that in the year 2000, in response to similar public outcry against the unprofessional and exploitative manner in which the transfers of Ghanaian football players to overseas clubs were being conducted, President Jerry Rawlings appointed a Commission, chaired by an Appeal Court Judge, Mr. Justice Sule Gbadegbe, to inquire into such transfers, with a view to cleaning up the player transfer market.
The findings were damning and the recommendations were absolutely in tandem with the findings. A government white paper was issued on the recommendations, The rest is history.
Once again from my ghetto here in the Northern Regional capital of Tamale, i wish to urge President Mahama to make the most of these wee hours I have spent on this write-up to as a matter of urgency compose this Commission of Inquiry to prove to the World that his government is ready to revive the failed and soiled football image of our dear country. Ghana has fallen at the feet of global football. And there must be a revolution now!!
Mr. President over to you sir.
Thinking unconventionally.
Folks, Sports is Huge!!!
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