Michael Oti Adjei pays glowing tribute to Kwabena Yeboah

Ace sports journalist, Michael Oti Adjei has eulogised legendary Ghanaian writer Kwabena Yeboah, describing the SWAG president as a “truly remarkable credit to the profession of sports journalism”.

The TV3 Head of Sports spent nearly two weeks with Kwabena Yeboah during Ghana’s friendlies against the Mexico and USA, says he was awestruck by the popularity of the Sports Highlights presenter, one that transcends beyond the borders of Ghana and cuts across all age groups.

Read full statement by Michael Oti Adjei via his Facebook Page

Today, inspired by the last two weeks with Kwabena Yeboah in the USA, I want to pay tribute to a man who gave me my first real break in journalism. I had spent a significant bit of my journalism school education reading Africa Sports, the newspaper Kwabena owned, edited and moulded so well and thanks to the late Tony Amofah, offered my service to the paper.

What happened afterwards was a rollercoaster ride. There were challenges but they were nothing like the opportunity to hone my skills with vast inches of newspaper columns to fill. It fuelled my writing, built my confidence, connected me to the most powerful actors in the game be they administrators, players, sportsmen, women and administrators.

In many ways it was the opportunity that shaped my career. During the Black Stars tour of Houston and Connecticut and later on our private stay in Maryland, I was struck by how almost everyone with a connection to Ghana knew him. The old and young. They stopped him in malls, he took photos over and over again.

Often in Ghana, I hear that journalism is not a career you must commit to for long. I have been told it is wise to do it for a while and move on to the next big corporate job. It may be true for some people but for Kwabena, the dedication has been remarkable.

He lives through Kotoko’s glory years, Hearts of Oak’s sad continental days and their emergence as the main force in and African Ghana Football. Saw the Black Stars rise, fall and attempt to rise again. Covered Kwasi Appiah’s best days as a player and is covering him as coach.

He saw Abedi and Tony Yeboah emerge on the scene, become mega stars and leave the stage. He has witnessed Gyan at his best in three world cups, Ghana at its best and worst on the same stage.

Truly a remarkable credit to the profession of sports journalism. Thank you for everything