E.T. Mensah Condemns Kuffuor's Expulsion

Minority Spokesperson for Youth and Sports, E.T. Mensah, has condemned the decision by the Black Stars Head Coach, Osam Duodu, to expel Bayern Munich defender, Samuel Osei Kuffuor from the team. He said it is unfortunate that Osei Kufuor, whom he described as a vital member of the Black Stars had been dropped for expressing genuine concerns about the team’s welfare.

The former Youth and Sports Minister said the decision was high handed and that he would not have sanctioned Kuffuor’s expulsion had he been the Sports Minister. “I wouldn’t have allowed the coach to fire him. What I’m saying is that we have had worse situations but I as a father figure went to them and addressed the issues. I was always joking with them so when I talked to them they listened.”

Mr. Mensah added, “Kuffuor is somebody who is lucky, easy going guy who chats with everybody and acts as a front person so his front men will not push him to this level. He has earned a reputation by working so hard. Whatever crime they thought he committed could have been handled.” According to the former sports minister, the issues raised by the technical handlers against Kuffuor do not necessitate sending him to Ghana. “This culture of destroying our heroes must be stopped somewhere along the line.”

Mr Mensah advised the technical handlers of the team not to use what he called, ‘classroom discipline’ on the players but should adopt a fatherly approach and learn to listen to the players. He recounted several instances, under his administration, when he had to meet the players late in the night ocer allowances, bonuses and other issues, the former Sports Minister said patience is the key word in handling sportsmen and women.