TopAfric was privileged to meet the first black African to play for the German national team. The interview critically examines his relationship with the African community in Germany.


TopAfric: Tell us briefly how your football career started?

Gerald: It started as a kid in Hannover, where I graduated into the senior team of Hannover 96.

TopAfric: Did you play for any of the junior teams in Ghana, your birth country before coming to Germany.

Gerald: No I was just kicking like any other Ghanaian kid on the streets, at that age I knew nothing about professional football.

TopAfric: You still have a lot of fans though you are no longer at your peak, how come.

Gerald: There is no magic to that, you need to be yourself, respect your fans and be one of them. If you have passion for what you do people appreciate you and love you for that.

TopAfric: Your moved from FC Schalke 04 to FC St. Pauli and now SpVgg Greuther Fürth, is there any thing missing.

Gerald: To be sincere I still remain a Schalke, I spent a greater part of my active career there, and I am in love and they in turn love me. Well moving from one of the best European club was not that easy, but there comes a time when one has to move and adjust to his new environment. Yes services, salary and other incentives are not comparable. Plans were far advanced for me to start work with them after my active career. The future still looks bright.

TopAfric: Your love for St, Pauli and Hamburg, what is so special about your stay in Hamburg.

Gerald: Hamburg is such a wonderful city with very nice people from all parts of the world; I also have a couple of good friends like Oto Addo and Takyi. I also have a relative in Hamburg. However the most memorable event is my historical only goal against the HSV.

TopAfric: Your experience with the German National Team.

Gerald: It is the wish of every player to play for the national team, and for the fact that I scored in my first major game made things quite easier. I remember how I was welcomed by the senior players like Oliver Khan and others. Being there has opened a lot of opportunities for others. It is no longer an issue of color but discipline, hard work and performance. Today we have the likes of Jerome Boateng playing for the national team. To sum it up, I had a wonderful time playing for the national team.

TopAfric:
Racial discrimination in German soccer, many believe it is on the decline, what is your opinion. What do you think could be done to further minimize it?

Gerald: Unfortunately it exist in German football, it is my hope that it can completely be eradicated. I think the DFB must come out with tougher sanctions against clubs which are found guilty. Most often it is the fans. We also need to oppose racial discrimination on daily basis.

TopAfric: Your face to face encounter with the controversial Sarrazin!

Gerald: Sincerely speaking it was a nice experience, his way of thinking and making analysis of issues are unthinkable. His major argument is that criminal foreigners should be deported.
I strongly disagree with him on the grounds that, no individual can predict what his kid’s future is going to be like. Just as a native German kid should be punished for any wrong doing, so be it for Germans with foreign backgrounds. The laws should be applied fairly to all people irrespective of their color or country of origin.

TopAfric: There is a lot of speculation why you never played for the Black Stars of Ghana, what actually happened.

Gerald: Like I said before it has always been the goal of every player to play for the national team, I remember Otto Addo and myself were asked to report for national assignment, by then Charles Akonnor was the captain of the senior national team. To be honest, it appeared we never existed. We constantly have to be contacting the then captain.

TopAfric: Could it be communication or environmental difficulties.

Gerald: Look Desmond in Germany, the head coach informs the team about the regular players, the reserves and those who do not make it are highly motivated. There you are given the impression your presence is unwanted. Its time we start doing things very professionally else the country shall loose most of the current talents scattered all over the world.

TopAfric: Gerald you are not getting younger, what are your plans for the future?

Gerald: You are perfectly correct, in sports you can’t be at the top for ever. Some of us are fortunate to play that long. Well, I intend to get my trainer license after my active career. All been well could be working for Schalke.

TopAfric: Gerald does the word “Social Responsibility” mean any thing to you? Do you also in turn give back to the community that supported you through out your career?

Gerald: Yes of course, I have on a couple of times organized parties for kids, financed football tournaments. My Heart Foundation, though not yet where I want it to be, is to help people with heart problems. I have invested in a couple of projects both in Germany and back in Ghana. This is to provide jobs for the needy.
I am also a patron to the African Youth Education Award, which has the ultimate goal of encouraging African kids in Germany to take Education seriously.

TopAfric: You occasionally visit Ghana, what is your opinion?

Gerald: I think the country is moving in the right direction, noticeable changes are taking place.

TopAfric: What has kept you going all these years?

Gerald: I am very religious, with God all things are possible, besides my family, my kids and more especially my beautifulwife Linda has been my strength. You need all these people more particularly during difficult moments.


TopAfric: What do you have for the younger generation, who see you as their mentor?

Gerald: They should be focused, disciplined, respectful to elders, and have a vision. I mean they must set goals for themselves and work very hard towards it.

Ebenezer Quansah & Desmond John Beddy
http://www.topafric.com