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Opinions of Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Columnist: Sagoe, Kweku

Leadership has failed.....

Our heritage as Africans has from since the era of our forefathers burgeoned on respect and submission to the elderly.

This has germinated to the extent where people in power demand unquestionable obedience from their subordinates.

Though it is conventional, anyone who tries to flout this norm is deemed persona non grata.

Same way, we have all been quick to wholly blame and accuse Sulley Muntari for his actions against an FA executive committee member and a Black Stars management committee member, Mr Moses Armah.

We have so soon forgotten, that we are now thrust into a global village and there are many Ghanaians raised in western countries or have mostly lived in western countries, who either don’t or no longer concur to that convention.

This is not the first time the Ghana Football Association has had problems with players, Sammy Osei Kuffour in 2002, Sulley Muntari in 2005, Ishmael Yartey in 2009, The Ayew brothers in 2013, etc…issues have always emerged involving players and some members of the GFA and the recent embarrassing scene in Brazil has given an indication that the rot must cease.

My inquietude is directed at the GFA management precisely the BLACK STARS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE but also to the numerous committees established by the now outgone sports minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah for their inability to no matter what calm the storm in Brazil but rather had to seek the intervention of the President John Mahama.

It’s a clear show of gross incompetence and I wonder why they will still be kept at post in an already malfunctioning system.

Now back to the Muntari-Mospacka saga…in as much as we have been swift in condemning Muntari, we can’t afford to be oblivious of what actually led to what before the altercation which turned sour later on.

Muntari is being reported to have raised serious concerns as to why the officials who had already dwarfed the players in camp were to benefit from the appearance fees and other benefits due the players.

In as much as his execution of the plot is very bad it doesn’t destroy what I term a laudable and an undeniable matter for serious attention.

If it took the president to intervene to abort a hatched boycott plan by the players, then what absolutely was the use of these officials? For what basis did they go there, what role did they play and how successful were they.....

My understanding about leadership is: The individual(s) who is(are) the leaders in an organization, regarded collectively. Leadership involves the activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability to do this.

It comprises establishing a clear vision, sharing that vision with others so that they will follow willingly, providing the information, knowledge and methods to realize that vision, and coordinating and balancing the conflicting interests of all members and stakeholders. A leader steps up in times of crisis, and is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations.

Unlike management, leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through coaching or mentoring. Leadership means having good timing in making key decisions like suspensions.

The most rivaled quality of a leader should be the act of inspiring subordinates to perform and engage in achieving a goal.

If that no longer exists, leadership cannot be successful. So simple

Happenings at the camp were clear that the players had lost veneration, faith and trust for the leaders, and from this point is where we need a change profoundly.

How did the captain intervene to salvage the situation, what about the coach, et al….they have failed in that aspect.

Muntari might be the Black Sheep of the Black Stars but he has opened many's eyes and heightened the views and opinions of many who feel undeserving people have made the Black Stars entity their cash cow.

Change is needed and in every capacity…the mindset, personnel and even the rules governing our football….

To be continued and expanded later….