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The president of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Kwabena Yeboah has emphatically declined calls to lead the battered Ghana Football Association as its president.

He would rather prefer known sports administrators like Herbert Mensah, who is currently the President and Board Chairman of the Ghana Rugby Union, are given the task to revamp the Association.

Kwabena Yeboah also mentioned personalities such as Kudjoe Fianoo, GHALCA President, as well as George Afriyie as equally capable persons to manage affairs at the GFA.

Kwesi Nyantakyi resigned as President of Ghana Football Association last week after being implicated in an investigative documentary on corruption in football administration by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

Government is also taking steps to dissolve the football association, but about 78 officials – referees, administrators – allegedly caught taking bribes have since stepped down from their various positions.

Many had tipped Kwabena Yeboah as a perfect replacement for embattled Nyantakyi.

But the award-winning broadcaster categorically stated that he is not interested in the chairmanship position of the Ghana Football Association.

“I have heard news going around that I’ve been appointed the new FA President. I will plead I don’t want to do it. I’m not interested. I think that we are in Sports. We have different roles to play,” Mr. Yeboah Ezzy FM.

The sports journalist stressed, “You do not necessarily have to be the FA President to serve your nation within the footballing context.

“There are personalities I believe, who can do it. Kudjoe Fianoo, the now GHALCA President, for me is very efficient.

“George Afriyie is there, he can do it. If they go outside the clubs, personalities like Herbert Mensah can easily do it but I do not think I’m ready for that job.”

Mr. Herbert Mensah was a former Chief Executive of the Kumasi Asante Kotoko who revolutionalized football in the country, courting a lot of fans for the game.

Anas Aremeyaw Anas himself testified about the prowess of Mensah in his write up on his latest exposé titled Number 12: When Misconduct & Greed Become the Norm.

“Herbert Mensah of Asante Kotoko was the man who lit the fire of competitive rivalry that spurred the rainbow club on. Indeed, two years after Hearts’ Champions League triumph, Herbert also took Kotoko to the final of the erstwhile CAF Cup Winners Cup, missing the trophy on the away goal rule to WAC of Morocco.

“Herbert’s marketing and branding prowess saw Kotoko emerge under his leadership as arguably the most advertised institution in Ghana. George Amoako and the late Amoah Bosompem also played commendable roles in Herbert’s administration, together with Jarvis Peprah who later led the club,” Anas said about Herbert Mensah.

Achievements for Ghana Rugby

Ghana Rugby achieved a series of accolades in fewer than four years since the astute businessman and sports administrator Mensah and his administration took over on 5 June 2014.

The Union put in a series of governance and administrative measures to ensure compliance with World Rugby requirements. In addition, it managed to successfully host and win the 2017 Rugby Africa Regional Challenge – West 1 by beating both Benin and Togo in May 2017.

Shortly after this victory, World Rugby acknowledged the efforts of the Union by awarding it Full Membership of World Rugby on 10 May 2017. This step opened the doors for Ghana rugby to seriously pursue Mensah’s vision of taking Ghana Rugby to higher levels towards entering the global stage of rugby in terms of World Rugby tournaments and the Olympics.

In October 2017 it managed to get a ranking for the first time on the Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens circuit.

Winning the Africa Bronze Cup ensured that Ghana Rugby qualified for the Rugby Africa Silver Cup in 2019, a step that brings it closer to the Gold Cup and to a shot to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.