Nyantakyi’s fairytale reign
Those who know the genesis of Kwesi Nyantakyi’s hegemony would not struggle to come to terms with the fact that he is a child of destiny.
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Nyantakyi first became the acting chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) by default in 2005 when the then FA chairman, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, was forced to step down in what could be described as a palace coup.
The mantle, therefore, fell coolly on his vice Nyantakyi who went on to become the first ever FA president after a restructuring process ordered by FIFA based on Nyaho-Tamakloe’s recommendation.
Before then was the obnoxious Executive Council headed by the then popular and powerful Mr Y. A. Ibrahim. But when the time came for the GFA’s first ever presidential elections on December 30, 2005, Nyantakyi’s brief incumbency turned out to be his trumpcard over the hitherto ‘powerful’ Mr Ibrahim as he won by a landslide in a dramatic election which had now Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu, and former FA vice chairman, Joseph Ade Coker, as the other candidates.
For the followers of Ghana Football, that historic victory seemed to be on the horizon after Nyantakyi had sealed Ghana’s maiden World Cup qualification in Cape Verde two months earlier. I vividly recall the mixed feelings that characterised that particular election, obviously due to the intimate relationship which existed between Nyantakyi and Ibrahim at the time.
That was how Nyantakyi ascended the GFA throne, ala President John Mahama or Goodluck Jonathan, if you like. It was a clear case of destiny at work! No wonder he got the nod for a second term and is on his way for a third term. There is time for everything under the sun, so says Ecclesiastes 3:1.
It will interest readers to know that the same Nyantakyi will not be this popular sometime to come. That is when another person’s time comes. That reminds me of a famous quote by Nyantakyi in reference to Vincent Sowah Odotei and Neil Amstrong-Mortagbe in the heat of the second campaign. Maybe, the problem with that message then had to do with the carrier and the timing other than the fact.
That the man is gunning for a third term unopposed gives credence to this fact. He might not be the best candidate to lead Ghana Football as some contend, but everything attests to the fact that it is his time. And it is difficult to fight a person or system like that. When the era is over, it will be obvious to all without struggle.
Apart from everything, I think it is prudent to give Nyantakyi another term mainly due to his CAF presidential ambition. I was moved when he made that statement at the Presidential Commission’s sitting last year and thought it was a positive agenda worth pursuing.
But the only way to keep that dream alive is to continue in office as the GFA president. Obviously, becoming the next CAF president will create more opportunities for Ghana football and more Ghanaians in the corridors of African football. That is the big picture I am looking at.
Certainly, this is the time for massive support and grooming as Nyantakyi might have his flaws like every leader. This is not to say he should be spared of constructive criticism as and when necessary.
If you ask me, I will say Nyantakyi’s first term was better than the second simply because he lacked the right people around him to drive him on when the going got tougher. It was good he listened to public opinion and made the necessary adjustments after the Brazil 2014 World Cup fiasco.
Though I wanted to avoid mentioning names, I am tempted to commend Nyantakyi for his decision to draw Ashgold CEO and GFA Executive Committee member, Kudjoe Fianoo, closer to himself when it mattered most.
Without question, Fianoo is one of the finest football administrators around whose expertise can do the FA boss a world of good! He transfomed GHALCA as the administrative manager and his achievements are there for all to see.
If I have my way, I will advise Nyantakyi to consider Fianoo strongly in his next government now that he has been empowered by the FA statutes to choose the men he wants to work with.
I believe there is a lot the FA can do to improve Ghana Football across the board and I challenge Nyantakyi to take full advantage of the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues to build upon the successes of his first two terms.
But he can only achieve that by getting good advisors and men of vision around him, while shunning those elements who are only interested in singing his praise.