What went right?
An interesting article in The Globallist in 2005 drew a comparison between Thailand and Ghana over the 20 years between 1985 and 2005. The difference between the two countries is starkly contrasted in the following graph:
Tag Archives: Ghana
Mensah remembers martyrs of May 9
Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko boss, Herbert Mensah in a statement on the 6th anniversary of the May 9 Stadium disaster has counselled relatives and loved ones of victims to remain strong in the belief that God continues to watch over their lost ones.
May 9 – A time to mourn and a time to build up
Last year on May 9th, 126 people died at the Accra Sports stadium. It was an event of tremendous shock for individuals, families, the nation and the footballing world; a day which will forever be etched in my mind. My values and my goals have changed since that tragic day. It is a day which touched the entire nation of Ghana and which the families of the deceased will never forget. We have had all our own particular views on the event and what could have been done to prevent the incident; but we can never hope to understand a tragedy so great and unnecessary as that one was.
Kotoko Business
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.
Herbert’s address to the nation after May 9th
I attended a special inter faith service on the forecourt of the state House. The service was organised by the Government to honour and remember the dead. The event was both poignant and emotional for me and when I had to give a brief speech I could hardly contain my feelings!
A brief summary of my speech is outlined as follows;
125 killed in Ghana soccer crush
ACCRA, Ghana – Up to 125 people have been killed and hundreds injured in a stampede at a football stadium in Ghana. Ghana Television journalist Francisca Ashietey-Odunton told CNN that the tragedy happened at the end of a match in Accra between premier league rivals.
Herbert Mensah on the May 9th stadium disaster
Wednesday May 9th 2001
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. The hope came from one supporter alive but injured at the Military hospital. As I visited the wounded he called out to me and told me not to worry…he told me that but for the officiating things would have been different. He was concerned about the club and not his terrible injuries. He wanted to get out so that he could watch our next match. He believed the development and direction was right. I was astounded and could only keep my quiet!
Communication, understanding and implementation!!
FROM THE BOARDROOM
Communication, understanding and implementation!!
Communication and Transparency
Most new organisations start with strong talk of openness and transparency. With time this sometimes changes to the detriment of the stakeholders. Our administration has always tried to maintain this. The establishment of the Kotoko Express as an official mouthpiece has been crucial to being able to maintain the openness we have preached. During last season we have gone to great lengths to publish the all-important “function statements” after matches (where available) and we have published are last audited accounts. The accurate information flow to all stakeholders is crucial if confidence is to be maintained and if planned programmes are to reach fruition.
A case of the pot calling the kettle black
FROM THE BOARDROOM
A case of the pot calling the kettle black
From time to time when I write my piece for the Kotoko Express I title my piece as I have done today. The other day when I was on trek an elderly reader asked I the meaning of one of my titles. I explained. I apologise to those who don’t understand the meaning behind my titles. Today my title a case of the pot calling the kettle black refers to the hypocrisy of those who fail to see that they represent the very same they choose to criticise.
Herbert Mensah 