Isn�t The Centre Holding In Kotoko?

The past few days have clearly been very uncomfortable for Asante Kotoko�s legion of followers. Suddenly the centre appears not to be holding in the Porcupine family. A seemingly manageable crisis, precipitated by the resignation of the club�s Executive Chairman, Dr K. K. Sarpong, has grown into a difficult problem for the club to handle. Many are of the view that Dr. Sarpong�s exit stemmed from the call on his management by the owner and custodian of Kotoko, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to render accounts in respect of their stewardship. True or not, it will be difficult for anyone to question the propriety inherent in the sound business practice of rendering accounts in modern day administration. It�s a sine qua non that shouldn�t inflict pain on raw nerves. The truth that has to be told without apology is that the multi-faceted problems that bedeviled Kotoko over the years have been self-inflicted. The mode of appointment in Kotoko has for a very long time invariably handed such appointees carte blanche to the detriment of the club. At a point in the club�s history, individuals appointed to head Kotoko were given the free hand to choose their own management teams. That explains why Nana Simms Kofi Mensah stood by his decision to appoint the legendary Ohene Djan as his Special Advisor, and Ernest Yaw Bawuah came on board the Kotoko ship with trusted friend Charles Allen Gyimah. That was the era when individuals committed a great deal of their resources to the running of clubs, and in all honesty so much was achieved by these men. Maybe one main reason for that was the fact that player sale was not in vogue like we are witnessing now. What�s more, the commitment to ensure the growth of the clubs was more supreme than any other factor. Of course, the devolution of effective power to the late B. K. Edusei and S. K. Mainoo by Manhyia from the 60s to the 70s and the early 80s, respectively must be acknowledged for how it impacted on the fortunes of Kotoko when it mattered most. For me, the turning point of Kotoko, in terms of quality administration, was when Prof. S.K. Awuah assumed the reins. Regardless of what people would say about him, he left an impeccable record as far as accountability was concerned. This was because a system of checks and balances, underpinned by a constitution that ensured the proper running of the club, worked to the hilt. If what started under S.K. Awuah had been maintained, Kotoko would have gotten very far in this system of administration. Under it, allegations of management team members transferring players and under declaring the accrued revenue that have been recurrent for years wouldn�t have arisen. If the right structures are not put in place to ensure continuity in administration, and make it difficult for individuals to place their interests above those of the club, Kotoko will continue to face the danger of being like a rudderless boat in tempestuous waters. When things are done properly, there is no denying the fact that Kotoko has what it takes to re-engineer its greatness again.