By: David Kyei

Date: 27-06-11

A member of the Kotoko Board and Member of Parliament for Kwabre, Hon. Emmanuel Owusu who has been nominated by his colleagues to contest for a slot on the Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association has stated clearly his ambitions and targets if given the chance to serve the good people of Ghana.

Speaking via phone with Kotoko Express, the former Ashanti Regional Minister was unequivocal in his determination to put his vast experience at the disposal of the GFA to move it forward.

According to him, his reason to be on the committee is purely to serve the football interest of the good people of Ghana because he believes he has a lot to offer to the committee and for the general good of Ghana Football.

“Having served formerly as the vice chairman of the GFA, I believe I learnt a lot then and have also learnt so much from those times till now and so believe my targets and contribution would be worthwhile”.

“Before I continue, I would like to clear this misconception that I hear is making the rounds pertaining to what I would bring for Kotoko when elected”.

“Whoever holds such a view has unfortunately missed the boat. Though all of the contestants to the executive committee are doing so on the ticket of their respective clubs, the work of the committee is not run on the singular interest of individual clubs”.

“When the committee meets, we think in general for the good of Ghana football and the way forward”.

Speaking unambiguously, he emphasized that the notion of using the executive committee position to champion the cause of individual clubs only add to the problems that are bedeviling the organisation of football.

“What do we hope to become of the other clubs who do not have anyone appearing on the committee on their ticket?” he asked.

He therefore urged that people start thinking for the general good of Ghana football.

“Whatever policy that we take to negatively affect clubs will not affect Kotoko alone, but will affect other clubs as well. Whatever is not good is not good everywhere”.

Citing examples from the just ended Glo Premier League, he said a lot needed to be either changed or modified.

“As an executive committee member, one of my major targets would be to work around the clock with other members to make sure we do not continue the mistakes that we have made in that have seen Ghana football suffers”.

“It is unfortunate that the 2010/11 season could end with clubs still owed in Sponsorship monies. When it becomes like that, clubs only suffer for it”.

Another area that the honourable Member of Parliament says would be of concern to him would be to champion juvenile and women’s football.

“It is true that Ghana is doing well in the senior level football, but does not have much to show in juvenile and women football. I therefore see the later areas of our football as an area that needs more attention and action”.

“I feel bad that two world cups are going one in Germany and Mexico respectively and Ghana is no where to be found on any of the tournaments. It is not good”.

“We also will have to work hard to ensure that the unnecessary protests do not bring our game into disrepute”.

He spoke on many issues but was very critical of the too many breaks the just ended league experienced.

“We would need to ensure that we properly plan our league, taking into consideration the various national team assignments and international clubs’ assignment”.

“All these and many more are some of the work that we would have to do at the executive committee and I promise that I am ready to work hard for the upward move of Ghana football,” he added.