The womb of time has many unknown things. With the best predictions or punditry, our finite minds are often unable to birth or foretell the future happenings with exactitude. Otherwise, who knew four years ago that former Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah would vie for a Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council seat now?
I support Kwasi Appiah’s decision. He has a wealth of experience under his belt. First, as a revered ex-footballer and second as a coach whose work at the Black Stars no matter the derision some have for him, is yet to be equaled in recent weeks by any of the coaches we have hired. Then as a businessperson he has a wide network of credible contacts.
I like Kwasi Appiah for many seasons. I do not believe I am able to conceal my bias when it comes to him. Kwasi Appiah would add useful weight in terms of knowledge, dignity, and respect to Exco which is a vital decision-making arm of Ghana football.
If we have clamoured for former players to be a core part of the administration of our game, then we cannot be against Kwasi Appiah’s bid. Again, if the contention is that the FA President after September 2023 must have an improved, quality Exco in terms of composition, people whose presence exude both wisdom and trust in the governance of the game, then we cannot be opposed to Kwasi Appiah’s choice.
Kwasi Appiah, who is now a Kotoko management member, would fly on the club’s ticket. I wish him well and hope that he wins along with other knowledgeable and trustworthy people, who will bring positive change. They say organisation is everything; so is leadership. Organisations thrive when their leaders are good.
No amount of talent would improve the quality of our football if the GFA is poorly organised, and decision-making is bereft of nationalistic and futuristic thinking – a critical ingredient of good leadership. Kwasi Appiah and his would-be Exco members must make their existence on Exco be felt positively when they win.
For him, unless something dramatic occurs, winning is a matter of when not if, I believe. While I am optimistic for him, I however have grounded fears — fears that elements in the incumbent administration could capitalise on Kwasi Appiah’s decision to advance a self-serving aim. Kwasi Appiah must be wary of that too.
Asante Kotoko’s interest must always reign supreme. As the GFA Presidential election and that of Exco is around the corner, people pretending to have Kotoko's interest at heart would frequent the corridors of power at Kotoko as if they have us at heart. We have seen some of them already. They must be watched carefully. It is about their selfish agenda, not that of Kotoko. I hope Kotoko authorities are watching well.