Kurt spoke in a context – Asante Twum replies George Afriyie over ‘enemies letter’

Spokesperson of the Ghana Football Association, Henry Asante Twum has reacted to a statement issued by defeated GFA presidential aspirant George Afriyie over some comments made by GFA President Kurt Okraku on Joy FM.

Addressing claims of him running a ‘friends and family’ organization, Okraku remarked that ‘no one wins an election and work with his enemies’.

The comment did not go down well with some figures in the football circles who have subjected him to a series of verbal attacks.

The latest of such attacks is from defeated GFA Presidential candidate George Afriyie who in a statement issued on Tuesday accused the GFA boss of being intolerant of opposing views.

But in his first interview since being handed the position of Director of Communications for the GFA, Henry Asante Twum said that he is shocked by the reaction to the rather harmless comments by his boss.

Asante Twum advanced that the issue is being over-stretched and being taken out of context.

He said that through his appointments, Kurt has demonstrated tolerance and willingness to work with people from opposing sides.

He backed his claim with some key appointments made by the Okraku-led administration.

“The response by the FA president was not in direct reference to any individual. I think the issue is being over-stretched. Let’s look at the appointments that have come up in the last few months and juxtapose it to what the FA president said. You may think the word enemy is not the best but I’m not sure that’s exactly what he wanted to say”.

“I think this administration has been very good in putting certain people on some of the committees. For instance, Liberty Professionals before the elections were 100% behind George Afriyie but today the MD of Liberty is serving on two committees. Kotoko declared their 100% support for George Afriyie but today George Amoako is the chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee…”.

Henry also justified the appointments of coach Karim Zito and CK Akonnor who are said to have close ties with Kurt Okraku.

“Karim Zito before Kurt Okraku’s appointment was Black Starlets coach so his current position is an elevation. As far back as 19999 he was coaching Kwaebibrem. He has coached both Hearts and Kotoko and has one of the richest CV’s in Ghana”.

“Before Kurt came, CK Akonnor was an assistant coach and I’m not sure it’s Kurt who gave him that position. There is a caveat on the appointment of a foreign coach. For continuity, consistency and progression sake we have to go for CK”.