Founder and leader of Alabaster International Ministry Prophet Kofi Oduro has declared his support for the upcoming demonstration addressing the dismal state of football in Ghana.
The demonstration, scheduled for February 14, has garnered attention from sports journalists, stakeholders, and now, a prominent religious figure.
The vociferous preacher expressed his disappointment with the apparent lack of patriotism within Ghana’s national football teams. He also criticised the Black Stars’ ignominious exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Blaming the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for the team’s poor performance, Prophet Kofi Oduro emphasised his participation in the protest as a stand against what he called the “madness” of the GFA.
“If not for the madness of the GFA, all these things would not happen. So, I am part of that demonstration against the GFA,” the pastor said.
Thank you Prophet Kofi Oduro for confirming to join the #SaveGhanaFootball Protest on. 14th February.
It is not even against the GFA alone. It goes deeper.
People in charge of the game underrate the the magnitude of what they hold and toy with it.
Mosques, Churches, Market… pic.twitter.com/9fVuFEimkv
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) February 4, 2024
The demonstration, which secured a police permit last week, is spearheaded by a group of influential figures including sports journalist Saddick Adams. The group aims to draw attention to the years of ‘mismanagement’ within the GFA and the Sports Ministry.
Members of the group were seen at a police station finalising the permit details last week. Saddick Adams clarified that the protest is a peaceful walk to present a petition to authorities.
The group asserted that their passion for football is the driving force behind the demonstration, emphasising a positive intention to bring about much-needed reforms.
“The police wish they could join because we all love football, we don’t have a fight with anyone or hatred towards anyone. The agreed timelines and conditions are favourable,” Saddick Adams said.
“It is just a peaceful walk to present a petition to the authorities, this is about a common passion that we want to protect. There is no hate and there is no anger. If anything, the anger is a positive anger.”
Will @FIFAcom be proud that, after investing over $60 million in Ghana Football since 2004, in grants and World Cup Prize monies, the Ghana National Team cannot boast of a single standard training pitch?
Does FIFA know that before the recent AFCON, Ghana’s National Team had to… pic.twitter.com/esfMYdCTQy
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) February 5, 2024
“The money we pump into our sports need to be accounted for. We should be having a national training complex where our national teams camp and sleep. Our league needs to be better to boost the economy for employment.
“Call-ups to our U15, U17 and U20 should be like before, where even if the most talented players are based in faraway villages, they will be found and given the opportunity to play. These are the reforms we are asking for.” Adams added