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Soccer News of Wednesday, 14 March 2001

Source: Joy FM

Kojo Bonsu, Abedi Pele lead GFA boss nominations

The tables have turned and it is now tilted to the side of 43year old Ashtead/Adidas representative Michael Kojo Mensah Bonsu, as he appears in to be in a poll position to be nominated by Sports Minister, Mallam Ali Yusif Isa for the GFA Chairmanship seat.

Kojo Bonsu, who hasn't hidden his intentions for the job when given the nod is being considered seriously for the job as a result of his background in football administration and development of the game at all levels especially sponsorship, international links, experience in soccer administration dating back to his time with Asante Kotoko, when he assisted them to emerge Africa Clubs Cup winners in 1983 after beating El Alhy of Eygpt.

Having served as a Director of Asante Kotoko, a position he relinquished in 1996 and proceeded on to other levels of football management, he's been part of the administrations of clubs like Real Tamale United and also represented Neoplan Stars on the GHALCA level.

Kojo, a bilingual in English and French is recognised by FIFA and CAF officials and also through his dealings with Adidas, was attached to the German Football Association to develop his skills in team development.

As a professional, he is the only one to have come out with a documented book on football captioned "Football Renaissance" and if the structures in the documented piece is to be put into practice, then the development of the game would be put on a different pedestal if Mallam Ali Yusif Isa gives him the nod.

But then Abedi Ayew Pele is also very close to receiving the Minister's nod as he has strong backing from some government party officials and his trip to Burkina Faso with the President of the nation also puts him in a good position to annex the seat.

Both contenders, if nominated by the Minister would face the Executive Council who would be deciding on their fate unless the unexpected happens. This are the two names making rounds and are also on the Minister's list though representatives from GHALCA have a different perception about the two which would make their appointment difficult if nominated by Mallam Ali Yusif Isa.

Some GHALCA officials claim that Abedi Pele is inexperienced in the administration of the game whilst Bonsu's political affiliation is also a concern to most members. These reasons could derail the chances of both men if Akwasi Acheampong's name is brought up by the Minister against one of the two, then the Executive Council would surely go in for Acheampong who is a member of GHALCA and also serves on the Executive Council of the GFA.

For now Alhaji M.N.D. Jawula's dreams of a likely re-nomination has fizzled out due to ongoing investigations into his FA management teams audited accounts over the disbursement of CAF's grant of $450,000.00 for Ghana's co-hosting of CAN2000 together with Nigeria.= Credible sources indicate that the Minister has Kojo Bonsu and Abedi Ayew Pele in his books for the seat considering their international links.