Akoto Applies For GFA Chairmanship

The race for the much-sought-after job of chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Management Board assumed an interesting turn this week when Mr Francis Akoto handed in a letter of application to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to express his interest in the

job.

Mr Akoto's expression of interest for the hot seat came as surprising as the mode of communicating his ambition to the power brokers and decision makers. The Finland-based engineer joins a list of candidates ready to succeed GFA boss Mr Ben Koufie when he officially steps down at the next GFA Congress.

Since Mr Koufie made public his decision not to seek re-election at the end of this season, the spotlight has been thrown on his likely successor, with such names as Dr. Kofi Amoah, Ghana's 2008 Nation's Cup bid chief, Mr Kojo Bonsu and ex-GFA member Oheneba Charles Nyarko mentioned as possible government nominees to contest for the job.

Significantly, none of these personalities has applied formally (it has never been the practise for open application) but have also not hidden their interest in leading Ghana Football from next year. Mr Akoto's approach therefore indicates his determination to pit his strength against Dr. Amoah, Mr. Bonsu and the ex-Kwaebibirim chairman and SWAG Patron.

Mr Akoto, a programme manager for cellular phone giant Nokia, may not be a familiar name in Ghana football but his passion for the sport is unquestionable. Not only has he created Ghana's No. 1 Internet portal (ghanaweb.com), but also developed and maintained an up-to-date database of all Ghanaian players abroad since 1989.

This database has been the most reliable database for the GFA, media and even Ghana's expatriate coaches. In a media release, Mr. Akoto said his immediate priority was to take Ghana to the 2006 World Cup and oversee " the successful development of football at every level".

Although he may not come from a football stock, he said his engineering background opens up other opportunities for Ghana football. "My professional training, experience and a solid record of achievement in management functions, albeit in the telecommunication field, make me an ideal candidate for the (GFA chairman) position."

Like many "new faces" gearing up for the challenge of reviving Ghana Football, Mr. Akoto said, "it is now time for fresh ideas on how to restructure the GFA by making it smaller while introducing fiscal transparency and responsibility into the administration.

Another important face of Mr. Akoto's proposal for developing Ghana football, is to use his wide networks of contacts in international football to source funds to develop infrastructure without which no proper development and promotion can take place.