13-Member Board For Kotoko Named

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and Life Patron of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club, on Sunday announced a 13-member Board of Directors headed by Mr Paul Victor Obeng (pictured), a former Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs under the PNDC regime.

A statement issued from the Manhyia Palace and signed by Mr Kofi Owusu-Boateng, Private Secretary to the Asantehene in Kumasi, mentioned the other members of the board as Messrs Awuah Nyamekye, Kennedy Adjapong, Kwabena Amoakohene, Akyeampong Kyei and Yaw Bawuah, representing former Chief Executives.

The rest are Osei Kwame Despite, Owner of Peace FM, an Accra-based FM Station, Kwabena Kesse (Kessben), Assad Mallah, Wilberforce Kwadwo Mfum, representing old players while Alhaji Ejee, DSP Helina Cobbina, representing Kotoko Ladies and Osei Boateng, National Circles Chairman, representing supporters.

The Interim Management Committee (IMC) has subsequently been dissolved.

The statement said the board would be responsible for the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the club who together with his management team shall be in-charge of the day-to-day administration of the club.

Besides, the board shall confirm the appointment of the technical team on recommendations of management.

The statement said the board would be responsible for the long term strategic planning and development of the club.

In furtherance of this, it is to draw up a five-year development plan with the objective of creating new avenues for profit enhancing projects to strengthen the welfare, managerial, financial and infrastructure-base of Kotoko.

The statement announced the appointment of Messrs Asamoah Bonsu and Company (Chartered Accounts) as auditors of the club tasked to audit the accounts of the IMC during the period of its administration and advice the board accordingly.

The auditors are also to design proper accounting manuals to be used for prudent financial management of the club on a day-to-day basis. The statement expressed the Asantehene's gratitude to the outgoing members of the IMC for their stewardship and hoped they would continue to support the development of the club in diverse ways.

"The Palace wishes to assure the numerous supporters and all members of the Kotoko fraternity that the Palace shall always seek the interest of Asante Kotoko Football Club first in all matters affecting the club without fear or favour", the statement said. It said decisions taken by the Palace are for the mutual benefit of all supporters and sponsors who contribute to the upkeep of the club and therefore have a right to know how their contributions are spent.

"We trust that the supporters, sponsors, playing body and the technical team will all give the needed support to the new board and management to enable them properly steer the affairs of the club", the statement added.

The inauguration of the board would take place at the Manhyia Palace on Monday, January 12, and the statement requested all outgoing IMC members to be present so as to facilitate a smooth handing over.