Outgoing Sports Minister Dares Critics

The outgoing Minister for Youth and Sports Edward Osei-Kwaku (MP) has dared his critics and anyone who thinks he failed in his duties at the ministry to arrange to engage him in debate of facts and figures.

According to him, nobody could have done better than what he did for the ministry even though people may decide to think otherwise. Mr Osei-Kwaku, the only Minister not to be re-assigned in the latest ministerial changes, was the third minister to occupy that seat in the under three year rule of the NPP administration.

First it was Mallam Issa who is said to have misconducted himself when it mattered most. Papa Owusu-Ankomah (MP) was next, but his reign was shortlived. Minister Osei-Kwaku who would not countenance any suggestions of failure as the rational behind his being dismissed said "Nobody could have done better than what I did in the past 16 months that he was in office and I repeat nobody".

The Asokwa West MP had been criticized severally by sports fans and analysts before the reshuffle for deliberate bureaucracy, unwillingness to accept suggestions and a tacit attachment to ancient sporting philosophies. His critics also accuse him of failing to take pragmatic steps to develop the sports industry. But he would have and now seem poised to face his critics squarely. “If I didn’t take about what I did, then now is the time to talk about it” he told the Network Herald. Presently, he would rather hold on to his views about the reshuffle.

He is more interested in how he will compile his handing over notes and wash his hands clean of the portfolio even if for a brief while.

Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Member of Parliament for Asante Akin North was named the new minister to replace Mr Osei Kwaku, but with additional responsibilities for education.