It’s not a possibility for any substantive sector minister to resign in Ghana these days. Why? Their resignation may lead to investigations if, and only if they are not able to bribe the investigators to scrap and expunge all the charges against them. IN REALITY, there’s nothing like justice system in Ghana at the moment, we only read it or see it on paper in our outmoded and nonfunctional constitution. AndYES!Even though there are justice institutions, from the police department to the court system, these institutions unfortunately, are not independent institutions as far as our legal systems are concerned. That’s why I strongly feel that if the commander-in-chief does not fire them, they will NEVER EVER VOLUNTARILY RESIGN! If they do out of these criticisms, it will be a miracle to me and a precedent as well. If that happens, I fervently promise to promote these two corrupt leaders at the ministry of Sport as the most sincere and admissible leaders in Africa as far as incompetence is concerned.

Under what circumstances can a whole thinking sector minister; boldly, and without shame, draw a policy or whatever it is, to sponsor a particular party supporters to Brazil with TAX PAYERS MONEY to cheer non performing, and without any world cup title; Ghana soccer team? Please, don’t even try to compare our ability to reaching quarter finalsstage in 2010 to that of the mighty world cup title itself. Please, don’t even try at all! How possible? Only in Ghana, that you can find this scenario as a possibility!

Fellow Ghanaians, we cannot continue to let these non-elected leadersto continue to ‘screw us up’ like that! Most of us believe in ‘second chance opportunity’ especially, if a slipup occurs unwittingly. But at the same time, we CANNOT sit unconcerned as if there are no Independent Thinkers in Ghana. I’ve always found it very difficult to comprehend the ethical and common sense in sheltering non performing leaders in Africa or Ghana, particularly those who secure their various positions through political appointments. This kind of unfortunate leadership flaw happens only in the third world countries.

Folks, the fact is that anytime we hear of a failed nation, it is the result of poor performance. And Poor performance is the result of an incompetent or dysfunctional leadership team. In other words, all successful nations are successful for different reasons, but dysfunctional leaders in Ghana are well known for their negative internal politics, greed, and corrupt practices. You cannot lead a whole country with your personal agenda, not even a corporation. After reading that sad and dummy statement from the deputy minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Yamin, I feel that from now onwards, recruitments, selections and promotions in that ministry are going to be based on internal political agenda, and party affiliations. For example, he’s very likely to hire only friends and political partyfaithful in order to guarantee personal loyalty at the expense of the other highly performing and more-qualified citizens.

Honestly, you don’t need to ask any management expert to figure out the reasons for such a mess in that ministry. Just ask anybody in an effective leadership position, and he or she will tell you that the worst thing that could happen to any organizational set up is when the staffs or the employees lose confidence in the leadership team. I can guarantee you that these two low productivity thinking dummies do waste more time and energy on internal attacks and defense strategies instead of executing their work, or innovating and overcoming challenges. I’m not surprised about the massive allegations of corruption in that ministry. Now, I know why critical projects fall behind on deadlines,, and more importantly why they can’t even organize and manage our one and only national senior soccer team- the mighty Black Stars in the all-important FIFA world cup! What an embarrassing and shameful leadership on the world stage!!
At this point, I’m pretty sure most people still remember “The Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) saga and other dubious deals previously in the same sector ministry, right? Remember nobody called for their resignation at the time, because of the Ghanaian principle in ‘second chance strategy in growth and development’. Now, my point is: “Enough is enough”!

President J.D Mahama has to remember that firing a non performing sector minister does not have to be the worst experience of his year or period of service. He can use the occasion to examine what went wrong in the appointment relationship. Assuming the termination is for a mismatch, he can help the both ministers build self-esteem despite their termination. He can also encourage them to look ahead and get started on a new job search if only they will change their attitude. Even if the firing is for non-performance, hecan always do more to end the relationship on a positive note.

Current Issues at Stake:

Yesterday (06/24/2014), I received a reliable information about a telephone conversation between one of my colleagues in London and a frustrated and stranded Ghanaian soccer fan sponsored by the government of Ghana through the political party faithful fiasco program(the transcript is available upon genuine request). Folks, it’s pathetic to listen to the plight of these poor Ghanaians who don’t know their left and right on the international stage to go through this ordeal because of the incompetence of what I call “Dummy Sports Leadership”(DSL) in Ghana!

How on earth, will a right thinking government officials, knowing our plight that our survival since independence has been purely on loans and borrowing of all sort of meaningless things, ever dream of sponsoring a particular political party fanatics for entertainment program? How on earth? Folks, is that our priority? Seriously??? Please, just take a minute and ask yourself: How many supporters did the UK or US governments sponsor? We all know that UK and US are far richer and more resourceful economically than miserable Ghana due to bad leadership, and yet they don’t see the need to behave this irresponsible manner. US government for example, did not sponsor anybody. Even the US team is a league, or corporation and the government has no hands in their operations. The US soccer League (USL) is directly affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) which regulates their activities. The government has no hands in their sponsorships.
Now these poor boys who don’t know their left and right either, have been left in Brazil to hustle for themselves because of government official’s stupidity. Does entertainment and hustle share anything in common? Entertainment simply means fun! And nothing else! In other words, you are supposed to “chill and party like a Rock Star” as Americans put it, not to regret ever going to Brazil or any entertainment program in your life. Even simple organizational soft skill at that ministry is a complete mess! Why?

And now, the match fixing saga by some Ghana Football Association officials (GFA), the boycott of the Black Stars players during training due to the lackadaisical attitude of the ministry of Sports to pay the players’ “appearance fees” have all come to light. I just watched the ESPN interview with Ghana’s Black stars coach, Akwasi Appiah expressing his frustrations and sleepless nights for the nonpayment of his players’ acceptance fees. You could see the betrayal of the Ghana’s Sports officials on his face. I humbly appeal the president of Ghana- JD Mahama to make sure these irresponsible officials are held accountable for these mess, for real! Since the word “resignation” doesn’t exist in Ghanaian politics, they only option is to ‘fire them’, PLEASE!
I guarantee you; GFA will soon be under FIFA’s stern corrupt investigations. We have taken our ‘greed, corrupt practices, and gross incompetence’ to the international stage and that’s highly UNACCEPTABLE! My point is that the leadership of the Youth and Sports ministry has clearly displayed to the world that they are not ready to stand up for the challenges of their job. President Mahama, please, fire them immediately!

To be honest with you, I’m beginning to doubt if it willever get better with our “current planning and thinking, our way of doing things, our mentality and our lifestyle” without a special REVOLUTION as some have long advocated for.What else can I say? You are the judge, and only time will tell!

Thank you.

Peter Osei-Adjei
President and Coordinator-Web Communications
Overcoming the Power of Vested Interest among African Youths
poseiadjei20@gmail.com
poseiadjei@yahoo.com