President Mahama needs sports advisor

Following the appointment of Ghana’s 12th sports minister in 10 years, one of the country’s outspoken football administors, Jonathan Abbey Pobee, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to appoint an astute sports advisor or assistant at the presidency to halt the musical chairs syndrome.

He said it appeared politicians over the years had not taken sports as a serious and viable industry which needed experts and professionals in order for the nation to derive maximum benefits from it.

Last week, President Mahama appointed Dr Alhaji Ahmed Mustapha, MP for Ayawaso North, to replace Mahama Ayariga in a ministerial reshuffle.  

Without necessarily attacking the competence of any of the ministers, Mr Pobee, a former chairman of the defunct Neoplan Stars, said it was important that the President appointed a permanent, professional and astute advisor as was the case during the General Kutu Acheampong era, to provide  professional advice to develop  sports in the country.

Sempe Asante, who was the advisor to General Acheampong during his regime, was credited with many of the country’s sports achievements, arguing that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is blessed with experienced and competent individuals including E. T. Mensah, who could offer good advice on sports.