Sports Ministry neglect of jailed footballer sad - Listowell

Kwame Bonsu was jailed for two years after the Swedish court found him guilty of charges of rape

The Chief Executive Officer of sports consortium, Authentic Sports, Listowell Yesu Bukarson has expressed disgust and disappointment in the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Football Association, GFA, for what he calls, “absolute neglect and rejection” of jailed Ghanaian footballer, Kwame Bonsu in Sweden.

Kwame Bonsu was jailed for two years after the Swedish court found him guilty of charges of rape and assault brought against him by his ex-wife back in 2015.

The 22-year-old Swedish second division side, Gelfe IF player who has since had his contract terminated and facing deportation from Sweden after his jail term, during the trial repeatedly denied all the charges.

He will also pay a fine of $28,000 to his ex-wife.

Mr. Bukarson who is a football administrator and a former spokesperson and marketing manager of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting club, is saddened by the silence of football authorities in Ghana over the jailing of the player.

“It’s sad to see the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the GFA as well as sporting stakeholders including even CAF, look on askance. Show no concern whatsoever as the player is thrown into jail” he laments.

“Sometimes you wonder what kinds of people man our sports”. He asserts.

“Even though remotely the player plays for himself and his family, he plays for Ghana in a bigger picture. Brand Ghana football suffers if this scar remains on the player” He said.

“Am not calling for the system to condone immorality and crime in a foreign land but I am only asking for commitment and support in fighting these charges against the player until there is hardcore evidence to incriminate him” He added.

“What support and concern did the Ministry show? How did the GFA show interest?” Mr. Bukarson questions.

“We can’t leave our players and any Ghanaian for that matter living outside this country to their fate just like that” he stressed.

The Executive Director of The Press Foundation, TPF, also charged the Ghanaian media to take up the issue as a project and discuss in detail to draw attention.

“The Ghanaian media must not also look on. We must take it up. Discuss it and create awareness about this issue” He admonished.

Mr. Bukarson promised to petition the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Youth and Sports to take up the case.