No house, contract for Akonnor as Sports Ministry drags its feet

Barely three weeks to his first game as Black Stars coach and Charles Kwablan Akonnor is yet to put pen to paper on a contract.

The GFA after talks with the government settled on Akonnor as Stars coach following their decision not to renew of Kwasi Appiah’s contract.

Expectations were that the government which adopted an uncompromising stance on their choice for a Ghanaian coach would treat his contractual issues with some level of alacrity.

However, nearly three months after taking over the vacant post, Akonnor is still without a contract.

GhanaWeb sources say Akonnor’s representatives and the Ministry of Youth Sports have had unfruitful meetings over his monthly salary and other bonuses.

It is believed that the GFA is not involved in the negotiations as it is the government that pays salaries of national team coaches.

Akonnor is also without official vehicle and residence as Kwasi Appiah is yet to vacate the house which was given to him by the state.

Sources tell ghanaweb.com that Kwasi Appiah is dragging his feet as he fears releasing those items will bring an end to hopes of his salary arrears being settled by the government.

The FA and Akonnor, however, remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached with all parties before the game, the source said.

The Black Stars will play Sudan in a doubleheader on March 27 and March 31.

Akonnor announced his team for the two games with five debutants, three of which are local-based players.

At a packed presser to announce the squad, Akonnor told Ghanaians to expect free-flowing attacking football from his side.

He said that committed players will be rewarded while indiscipline will not be tolerated in his camp.