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Sports News of Friday, 23 August 2019

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Where were you when Agogo was suffering - Ghanaians fire ‘hypocrite’ Sports Ministry

Manuel Junior Agogo died at age 40 Manuel Junior Agogo died at age 40

An attempt by the Sports Ministry to use the death of Junior Agogo to court public sympathy to paper over their perceived failures has backfired as some Ghanaians on social media have slammed them for being ‘hypocrites’ and pretentious’.

Reports of Agogo’s fight with stroke came public four years ago with the striker revealing in an interview with the BBC last year that he has been neglected by the government and his teammates.

Despite the public appeal for love and support by the striker who bagged 12 goals for the Black Stars, neither the government nor the ministry reached out to him. Interestingly hours after news of his demise went viral, the official Twitter handle of the ministry posted “You epitomized a phrase in our national anthem 'Bold to defend' and as it were, the privilege and the pride to represent your country with the Black Stars. Indeed, you will be fondly remembered for the memories”.

The post which was meant to be an expression of the Ministry’s grief over Agogo’s passing was rather met with a barrage of attacks by Ghanaians who questioned the logic in singing the praise of a dead person whom you failed to help.

The Ministry has enjoyed negative publicity since it emerged that it blew 4.5 million cedis on the 2019 AFCON despite Ghana exiting at the second round stage.

The failure of the Ministry to make a definite pronouncement on the future of coach Kwesi Appiah and Ghana’s poor preparations for the 2019 African Games are some of the issues highlighted by critics.

The post by the President’s handle on Agogo’s death also received similar reactions from Ghanaians.

Below are the reactions