Ethnicism, tribalism which not long ago became a tonic in Ghana football leading to severe punishment being meted to scapegoats like Welberforce Mfum and Takyi Arhin of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Berekum Arsenals respectively resurfaced last Saturday.
The PLB boss Welbeck Abrah Appiah whose continuous arrogance with sports presenters on the air waves has led to many stations deciding not to talk to him on important national issues because of the disrespect and lack of radio manners he at times show on the airwaves. This decision by some radio stations, greatly led to misinformation in the soccer fraternity ,especially in the just ended One touch premiere league.
Not long ago during a press soiree in Kumasi , Mr.abrah- Appiah was told of his arrogance which he took precious time to defend.
Mr . Abrah - Appiah's sour attitude reached its apogee last Saturday morning when he calculatedly lashed the people of Brong Ahafo by throwing series of insults at them .
The PLB boss made these statements on a private radio station, SPACE FM in Sunyani .
This was when the sports host wanted to find out from him his impression about the Premier league especially with the deduction of points from some clubs. With listeners glued to their sets to hear from Mr. Abrah- Appiah , he took time to insult the people of the region accusing them of showing lack of respect for football authorities in the country.
"You live in that village called Brong-Ahafo and you have no respect for authorities.
That is why i have refused to talk to any radio station in that village over a year now. You have to change from your uncivilized attitude of insulting people in higher authority"he stressed When the host pushed Mr. Appiah to buttress his allegation by mentioning any station which uses its medium to insult sports administrators,he could not mention one but said those stations know themselves. This false accusation as demonstrated by Mr. Abrah- Appiah infuriated the listeners and when the phone lines were activated for listeners to call and give their impression about the issues discussed most of the callers who were dissatisfied with the PLB boss comments and behavior directed their attention at him for his rude statements.Meanwhile the Brong-Ahafo Sports Broadcasters Association has condenmed Mr Abrah-Appiahs comments. Unknown to Mr. Abrah - Appiah almost all the football authorities have no qualms with the radio stations in Brong Ahafo as they freely grant interviews on their sports shows including international football administrators.
What Mr . Abrah Appiah has failed to realized is that , he is holding a public position and for that matter he is answerable to them by letting them know what is going on at the office he is steering. Mr Chinto Mensah his predecessor left a legacy which he has soiled in the cow dung . Mr Abrah-Appiah should be brought to order as he is too bossy . Mr. Abrah Appiah should be made to render an unqualified apology to the people of Brong Ahafo and also should be made to face punitive punishment as that of Mfum and Takyi-Arhin were not left off the hook. GFA, BRONG AHAFO IS WATCHING.
MICKY CHARLES( A SPORTS BROADCASTER)