Ghana Football Association (GFA) communication director, Saani Darra has said Youth and Sports Minister, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has lost all respect due to his attitude.
The once active Sports journalist has been bullish since his appointment as Sports Minister.
Notably, his famous position on the Black Stars’ winning bonus, which has become a major topic for discussion in the nation after the players’ poor and disgraceful showing at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Speaking in a radio interview with Boss FM, the former BBC Sports journalist said, “truth be said, the Sports Minister (Nii Lantey Vanderpuye) has lost every bit of respect due to too much talking and his demeanor.
“There’s a lot he has said about the GFA that we could have responded but we (GFA) have decided not to,” he added.
The countdown to the 2016 Vodafone Unity match ahead of the upcoming general election intensified with Former Ghana President, J.A. Kufuor receiving Ex Black Stars captain and peace ambassador Stephen Appiah.
Kuffour lauded the former Juventus star Stephen Appiah for his contributions towards the promotion of peace in the country and conferred honors on Appiah yesterday by presenting him with a citation when he paid him a courtesy call at his residence in Accra to brief him about preparations for the Vodafone Unity Match (VUM) slated for June 8 and June 11 in Kumasi and Accra respectively.
From Left-Right: Stephen Appiah, Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Primeval Media, Larry Opare Otoo
“Peace is imperative for the progress and development of any society. For a developing country such as Ghana the lack of peace will lead to civil strife, further worsen our economy and throw our economy into abeyance,” the citation read.
“At no other time is peace more needed than during elections when tensions are heightened, and the least spark degenerates into chaos.
“It is in this vein that I see this initiative by former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah aimed at sustaining peace in our country before, during and after the elections as a worthy one that must be supported by all including government, the political parties and the Electoral Commission.
“Stephen has always been a leader, and his latest venture in assembling great world footballers to play for peace is another sign of his leadership qualities. I congratulate and encourage him in his endeavors.
Minister for Youth and Sports, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has accepted former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah invitation, to be part of the much anticipated Vodafone Unity Match 2016.
The match, an initiative of ex-Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah and organised by Ghana’s number one Sports event house, Primeval Media.
The matches are aimed at promoting peace and unity among Ghanaians as the nation goes to the polls on November 7, to elect a president and parliamentarians.
Ex Black Stars captain, Stephen ‘Tornado;’ Appiah
Appiah, will lead former international players such as, Nigerian deadly duo of Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu as well as former English premier league players, Sol Campbell, George Boateng, Louis Saha, Dwight Yorke and Dutch legend, Edgar davids just to name a few in world eleven side to play a game against record Ghana premier league champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on June 8 and June 11 against the senior national team, Ghana Black Stars at the Accra Sports stadium.
Nii Lantey a former footballer and journalist praised Appiah for leading the cause of educating Ghanaians on the promotion of peace and togetherness among ourselves before, during and after election 2016 and pat him on the back to continue with the good job he has commenced.
Larry Opare Otoo (CEO of Primeval Media Ghana) in a chit-chat with Isaac Amankwah of Vodafone Ghana
“on behalf president John Dramani Mahama, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and all Ghanaians, I want to say thank you for the honours Stephen Appiah has done us by deciding to create the awareness of peace before, during and after election 2016. As a government we should spearhead maintenance and sustainability of peace and if Appiah has decided to hold one side of the arm then we want to thank him, thank Primeval media and headline sponsor, Vodafone Ghana.”
“we wish you the best and assure you (Appiah) can count on us any day to make this event a success and in coordination with the National Sports Authority (NSA) and are ready to avail anything within our power to your disposable. It is quite a difficult program schedule ahead for me but I will honour the invitation,” he added.
Appiah will next on the road as he continues the peace tour call on former president Jerry John Rawlings at his Ridge residence.
