Joy FM returns GHC3,000 ''thank you'' to Attuquayefio

Multimedia Group Limited (MGL), a media and entertainment company has returned 3000 Ghana Cedis to ‘Sir’ Cecil Jones Attquayefio as part of donations realised from his charity game held last June.

The amount was handed over to a staff of the company as a “Thank You” package from the organisers of the game, Primeval Consult, in recognition of the former’s support towards the organisation of the match, played to honour and celebrate the achievements of the one-time best coach in Africa.

In a statement to clarify matters in the wake of disturbing remarks borne out of the game, MGL said one of the stations under their umbrella, Joy FM, was approached by the organizers to help promote the game, which led to a programme that yielded 7500 Ghana Cedis.

“One of the Multimedia stations, JOY FM was approached by the organizers of the event – Primeval Consult to use its sports platform to promote the event. During the phone-ins, there were persistent demands and so the programme auctioned tickets for the testimonial match at special rates.

“The live on-air program yielded GHC7, 000.00. Details of this including the buyers were published on myjoyonline.com. An additional cash amount of GHC 500.00 was donated by a friend of JOY Sports, Daniel Amoateng, bringing the total amount realized on JOY FM to GHC 7,500.”

The breakdown of the donation that came through the radio station also include a 1000 Ghana Cedis each from Minister of Communications, Haruna Iddrisu, Randy Abbey and famed lawyer, Ernest Thompson.

Ace broadcaster, Kwame Sefa Kayi and Egbert Faibille Jnr, Managing Editor of the Ghanaian Observer newspaper doled out 200 Ghana Cedis and 500 Ghana Cedis respectively to compliment a further 300 cedis donated by listeners identified as Fiifi and Thomas.

According to MGL, the donations were handed over to Lawrence Opare-Otoo, Chief Executive of Primeval Consult.

“It later emerged that the organizers presented a cash amount of GHC 3,000 to a member of the sports team as “Thank You” for helping to promote the testimonial match.

“Management of JOYFM asked the team member to refund the GHC 3,000 when this anomaly was brought to the attention of the station. Management handed over the GHC 3,000 to Coach Jones Attuquayefio on October 2, 2012. He has acknowledged receipt of the amount.”

Meanwhile, Primeval Consult through its CEO Opare-Otoo are yet to comment on the whereabouts of the remaining 4500 Ghana Cedis plus other donations in the region of 6,500.000 cedis yet to reach the veteran trainer.

Attuquayefio earlier poured out to GNA Sports that he received a paltry $1000 from the organisers of the charity match which fetched over 27,000 Ghana Cedis from gate proceeds and donations.

GNA Sports can confirm that Black Stars striker, Asamoah Gyan doled out 3000 US dollars on the day of the game to the coach’s cause while captain John Mensah gave 500 Ghana Cedis as his contribution.

It therefore comes as a shock, how the organizers could afford to dole out a “thank you” package of 3000 Ghana Cedis, which is more than what the coach received.

The organiser, Opare-Otoo in the build-up to the game said part of the proceeds would be given to Attuquayefio and the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, but he is yet to fulfil his pledge to the latter.

Information pieced together by GNA Sports indicates the National Sports Authority (NSA) waived all financial obligation related to the usage of the national stadium enabling Opare-Otoo the luxury of using the arena without a cost.

Opare-Otoo, a former broadcaster, it will be recalled was behind the fund- raising dinner for the Retired National Footballers Association of Ghana (RENFAG) in July, 2011 which was graced by Liverpool legend, John Barnes.

Attuquayefio is one of Ghana's renewed coaches has for the last two years battled with throat cancer which has truncated his illustrious career which saw him chalk several successes.

He guided Hearts of Oak to the CAF Champions league title in 2000 and the Super Cup a year on. He was also at the helm when the Phobians won the maiden CAF Confederations Cup in 2004.