Up close with Gershon Kwasi Akuffo

By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 24-01-11

Leaving the shores of Ghana as a footballer to play either in Europe, Asia or any other part of the world at the time that they are not so mature, frequently create career problems for our footballers.

However, the financial incentives often tied to the European or Asian offers dangled before these players no matter how insignificant they may seem are difficult to ignore when they compare it to the conditions they are or have become used to in their land of birth.

Gershon Kwasi Akuffo shared these among many other constructive thoughts when Kotoko Express caught up with him over the weekend for an interview.

Gershon is one of the 14 new players sign-on by the management of Kotoko ahead of the second round of the 2010/2011 Glo Premier League and he first spoke of how life has been in Kumasi with the Porcupine club.

“I was glad to join Kotoko because it is a big team. You get a lot of exposure when you perform. I have been enjoying myself and I am ready for all the hard work,” he said.

Gershon Akuffo, born on December 27, 1989. The 21-year-old who has five siblings and hails from Akuapim-Mampong in the Eastern Region of Ghana speaks Twi, Ga and English.

He says it has been his dream to play football at the highest level wherever he found himself but did not think Kumasi Asante Kotoko would come that early in his football life.

“As I said before, Kotoko is a great football club. Every good footballer in Ghana and even outside Ghana should be proud if he gets the opportunity to play for Kumasi Asante Kotoko”.

“I always want to be the best and to be so, you must be with the best wherever you find yourself”

“However, I did not expect that Kotoko will come my way so early,” he added.

He played his firt league match in the 200/11 season in the home duel against struggling B. A. Stars who were hammered 3-1.

Gershon Akuffo featured in the second half as he came on for Louis Quainoo and spoke excitedly about how his first game went and how he is also itching to improve when he gets another opportunity to play.

“That game was exciting. I am happy I was part of the excitement. I thank God for the strength and confidence he gave me. Everything went well. I will not say much about that because the best people to judge are those who watched the game,” he said.

Before coming on board the Porcupine train, Gershon Akuffo – a former student of Royal

Technical School, Nungua, Accra, played for Israeli club Beutrubruk.

He has also played for Wa All Stars in his young career. Prior to All Stars, Gershon was part of Shweppes FC – a Nungua based Colts club; Legon Ajax FC and Golden Tulip FC, based at the 37 Military Barracks.

Having played football in Ghana for over a decade, Gershon Akuffo was better positioned to share an opinion on the sport in Ghana.

“I believe we have been doing well in Africa and on the world stage. Nobody can deny that. The achievements of the Black Stars and the other national teams are there for all to see. Locally, the Premier League is quite competitive”.

“The players train hard because if they do not, they will not get a good chance of playing. Talents abound in Ghana and so you have to work hard for your position once you get a team to play” Gershon argued.

With his experience in Israeli football, Gershon Akuffo also touched on Ghanaian players and the urgency with which they move the moment the smallest of contracts are put before them.

“We are all working for money. Considering the conditions here, it is difficult to resist the offers that come. It is not easy; so some of the players cannot say no when the offers come”.

It is the hope of Gershon Akuffo that he trains well and gets more playing time at Kumasi Asante Kotoko to really live his dream of playing football at the highest level and perhaps when a juicy foreign contract comes his way he might join the exodus bandwagon like others have done.

Brief information

Name: Gershon Kwasi Akuffo  

Date of Birth: December 27, 1989

Age: 21-years-old

Position: Defender  

Favourite Food: Red-Red

Favourite Music: Gospel

Role Model: Patrice Evra

Hobbies: Reading & listening to music

Hometown: Akuapim-Mampong