Rawlings commends Akufo-Addo for approving payment of D.K Poison’s US$45,000

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has commended president Akufo-Addo for approving the payment of US$45,000 Ghana owed former World Boxing Champion, David Kotei, popularly known as D.K. Poison.

“It is gratifying that the President chose to approve the payment on compassionate grounds. We have for decades observed how some of our outstanding sportsmen have become destitute because of the lack of a steady income”.

A statement signed by Kobina Andoh Amoakwa of Communications Directorate of the former president, urged D.K. Poison to use the money judiciously while advising successful sportsmen in the country to endeavour to manage their resources in a prudent manner as they retire relatively younger and have to contend with whatever resources they earned while in active sports.

Background

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on September 28, 2020 directed that the US$45,000 Ghana owes D.K. Poison should be paid to him on "compassionate grounds."

D.K. Poison became the first Ghanaian to win a world title when he defeated the champion, Reuben Olivares, by split points in a 15-round clash in Inglewood, California on September 20, 1975.

He lost the title the following year after unanimous points defeat to American Danny “Little Red” Lopez at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The 69-year-old D.K. Poison over the years has been narrating how in 1976, he loaned to the Ghanaian government of Ignatius Kutu Acheampong an amount of $45,000 out of his purse of $75,000 from his second title defence against Japanese Shig Fukuyama for the purchase of some commodities for the state.

According to D.K. Poison, 44 years on, all attempts to reclaim the money from the state have proved futile despite promises by past governments to ensure he was reimbursed with the amount owed him.

In October last year, he met President Akufo-Addo and expressed his gratitude to the President for granting him audience.

An emotional D.K. Poison during his interaction with President Akufo-Addo reiterated his case and in response, President Akufo-Addo promised to resolve the claim by the onetime World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion dating over four decades.

Letter from Presidency

In a letter dated September 28, 2020 seen by Graphic Online and signed by the Secretary of the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, President Akufo-Addo directed that the money should be paid to D.K. Poison on “compassionate grounds.”

The letter was addressed to the Minister of Youth Sports, attention Isaac Kwame Asiamah and copied to the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, the Minister of Finance, the Director General of National Sports Authority, the Chairman of the Ghana Boxing Authority and David Kotei (D.K. Poison).

Read the full statement below:

AKUFO-ADDO DESERVES COMMENDATION FOR D.K. POISON PAYMENT

President Nana Akufo Addo deserves commendation for approving the payment of US$45,000 the state owed former World Boxing Champion, David Kotei, popularly known as D.K. Poison.

It is gratifying that the President chose to approve the payment on compassionate grounds.

It is also noteworthy that the President’s decision was informed by the report of an investigative team that looked into the retired world champion’s petition before the payment was approved.

We have for decades observed how some of our outstanding sportsmen have become destitute because of the lack of a steady income.

The best testament of gratitude D.K. Poison can show to the President and the country, will be to manage the funds judiciously.

I take this opportunity to urge our successful sportsmen to endeavour to manage their resources in a prudent manner as they retire relatively younger and have to contend with whatever resources they earned while in active sports.

It is also important that our successful sportsmen show graciousness to some of our retired sportsmen who are in need.

Issued By:
Kobina Andoh Amoakwa
(Communications Directorate)

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