Category Archives: Boardroom

New Minister, New Hope…

Posted on March 22, 2015 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

When Honourable Mustapha was announced as the next Minister for Youth and Sports I quickly called him to congratulate him and wish him the best.

It has always been my policy to do so and offer support…. it is after all about Ghana first and foremost!

The presence of our new Minister for Youth and Sports, Honourable Mustapha Hamed at our Rugby finals was both significant and appreciated. His presence allowed me to have a positive and frank discussion about the relationship between the Ministry and Minority Sports and of course Rugby in particular.

The lack of cooperation between the sports bodies and minority sports both for funding and use of public infrastructure as well as false claims by the Ministry with respect of the yearly funding of 100,000 for minority sports were discussed.

Most significant was the position of the Minister. He is clearly taking a different approach from his predecessor. He was also realistic about finances and asked for time to properly assess matters with the view to returning to work with the minority bodies!

Why the African way…pull him down?!

Posted on June 25, 2001 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

Screen Shot 2015-03-04 at 6.47.57 PM Why the African way…pull him down?!

Kotoko 1 Okwawu 0

Playing at Nkawkaw is always tough. This year our players responded in style. Even though I was in the UK I received a blow by blow account as the game progressed. The torrential rains before the start of the match did not help and it was a testament to the commitment of Middendorp’s boys that we were able to grind out this victory.

Kotoko Business

Posted on May 30, 2001 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM

Kotoko Business

Kotoko 2 Satellites 1
The beautiful thing about Kotoko today is that we have our own programme and we are sticking to it. We plan our matches, events, marketing, communication and development unaided. Planning is never easy when we have to accommodate constant change from within the FA.

Boardroom

In remembrance!

Posted on May 13, 2001 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM
In remembrance!

Wednesday May 9th 2001

I will never ever forget this day. I still wake up at night and early in the morning and remember the afternoon rain, the match itself, the linesman’s flag, the poor officiating, the tear gas, the images of people jumping from great heights to escape the tear gas, the confusion and the stampede the injured and the dead, the club colours draped on the dead, the living and the hope.

Special day

Posted on April 28, 2001 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM
Special day

Happy Birthday Nana

Happy Birthday Nana. At 51 years we hope that you had a wonderful day and that this year and the years that are to come are full of health and happiness! On Sunday we gave you a special birthday present by beating Bofoakwa 3 – 0. Before the match it rained .

Home team takes 55%?

Posted on April 25, 2001 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM

Home team takes 55%?

I am always somewhat concerned when I hear the debate amongst some of my fellow soccer administrators. We all want our sides to win and to be the best but as the temporary custodians of the club we need to focused on the creation of financial atmosphere that will be conducive for the proper and effective running of the clubs. There are and will always be issues of current debate which our supporters will fuel and argue. Indeed in the current dispensation where FM stations and some other media can bring immediacy to the same supporters they have tended to deal with the topical issues of the day.

Our great supporters II

Posted on March 28, 2001 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM
Our great supporters II

GFA Chairmanship…

The saga continues. I was talking with some overseas soccer administrators a couple of days ago when they asked me what the fuss was about the appointment of a new FA chairman! They simply could not understand the entire hullabaloo! They wanted to know why the job was not simply advertised. After all every job has certain basic professional requirements as well as experience! At M-NET for example there is a basic aptitude requirement which when tested takes precedence over some educational achievements!

Coaches

Posted on February 28, 2001 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM
Coaches

The question of the importance of the coach

I have long argued about the relevance and importance of the coach in all sports. He is crucial and fundamental to the success of the team. England under new coach Sven Goran Eriksson beat Spain by three goals to nil. The importance of the victory had a great impact on me because of both the attitude of the players and the player selection made by the coach.

Assessment and positioning

Posted on February 24, 2001 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM
Assessment and positioning

Kotoko 1 Kwaebibirem 2

This was an important lesson for us in many ways. I could and should start off by stating that the following players were unavailable due to national commitment with the Black Stars and Satellites. LAWRENCE ADJEI, GODWIN ABLORDEY, ISAAC OWUSU, STEPHEN ODURO AND LAWRENCE KAINYA are the players in question. GODFRED YEBOAH, KWAKU DUAH, MICHAEL OSEI AND FELIX YEBOAH were all absent through injury. We may have played Kwaebibirem with what in many ways was a second string team BUT there was an important lesson for the team.

The Biggest and the Greatest!!

Posted on January 25, 2001 by herbertmensah Leave a comment

FROM THE BOARDROOM
(The Biggest and the Greatest!!)

E.T. Mensah’s Legacy to Ghana Football

I had actually finished preparing my piece “From the Boardroom” last Friday and was feeling very pleased with myself. I often have to work into the early hours of the morning to complete my work otherwise the editor, Kobina Andoh will invariably be extremely displeased with me! On this occasion I finished ahead of time! I am saying all of this because I have had to now add a few words on what I describe as E.T. Mensah’s Legacy to Ghana Football!