Agogo calls on JJ

Former president Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings says the Black Stars should not forget to give back to society what they have received from playing football. This was when Agogo called on the former president last Tuesday in the company of his mother, a cousin to Mr Rawlings and the junior brother of Agogo before finally leaving for England.

Mr. Rawlings made complimentary remarks after critically looking at the tattoo on the arms of Agogo, he declared: “I love what you have on your arm, especially the ‘Gye Nyame’ symbol. “If I have my own way, I would have tattooed my arms and back with the inscription of you(Agogo), Essien and then Muntari,” he said amid laughter. Speaking to his nephew, Black Stars’ Junior Agogo at his residence few hours before Agogo’s departure, he advised both past and present footballers to be spured on by their humble beginnings and give back to society. “I know many of you are doing that on the quiet, but I will urge you to go the extra mile,” he stated.

The former president pointed out that, football has gone past the stage of entertainment and therefore they should always remember to carry out their social responsibilities. Rawlings admonished that “A good footballer can fulfill his political responsibility by identifying and meeting the needs in his community.” Reacting to why he abandoned the VIP seat offered him for the Popular Stand, he said: “I felt comfortable watching the game with the ‘ordinary men’ and as far as I was seeing from that location, I was okay.”

He praised the team for their sterling performance in the just ended Nations Cup saying, “You guys made us all proud, you excited the atmosphere, and Professor Mills expressed it appropriately when he said although you did not lift the trophy you did not disgrace yourselves.” According to the ex-President, he is looking forward to a Ghana-Egypt friendly and he is sure if the team puts it’s house in order, it will make giant strides in Ghana and beyond. Agogo, who left Ghana at age 14 for the UK, now plies his trade with English Division Two side Nottingham Forest. He scored three goals in his Nations Cup debut for Ghana.