The Deputy General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party, Nana Obiri Boahen has kicked against the $25,000 monthly salary of Black Stars coach Charles Kwablah Akonnor, describing the amount as being ‘too huge’
The former Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak gaffer was named the Black Stars head coach in January this year, replacing Kwasi Appiah who was on a monthly salary of $35,000.
And, although Akonnor’s monthly salary is almost 30 percent less than what Appiah was receiving, the maverick politician says paying Akonnor such amount as salary must not be entertained since football administrators themselves are in financial crisis and even struggling to maintain their clubs.
“CK Akonnor’s salary is very huge. The $25,000 is too much. I don’t know if it’s because I don’t have money but I feel it’s a big money. Even the total amount of salaries received by players of Asante Kotoko or Hearts may not be up to the $25,000,” Lawyer Obiti Boahen told Hello FM in Kumasi.
“Sometimes we should consider those running clubs in Ghana. How much does Agama of Bechem United and Nana Kwame of Berekum Chelsea get from their respective clubs every month? We need to be very fair looking at where we are coming from.
He continued, “Honestly, speaking that money is a big money. We need people who are bold. We must be bold to call a spade a spade Why are we even quoting his salary in dollars since we are told not to trade in the country in that currency?
“I think they are not being fair to us at all. A good number of people running football in Ghana are suffering, you can ask Grusah. I’m saying that even the likes of Kwame Kyei who have money will tell you how difficult it is to run the football here.
The seasoned legal practitioner also said it is against the laws of the land to pay the coach in dollars.
“It’s against the law to pay CK Akonnor in dollars, and secondly when you convert that $25,000 its big money and a good number of coaches will take that money.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah recently confirmed in an interview that Akonnor has verbally agreed to a pay-cut due to the Coronavirus.
The 45-year old former Ghana international, on Friday, named a 23-man squad the Black Stars friendly against Mali which will be played in Turkey next month.
