“If it is money that destroyed Ghana in Brazil how do you blame the media?”- Jerome Otchere

By Rachel Kakraba

Renowned Sports Journalist, Jerome Otchere, has taken a swipe at individuals and groups who blame the Ghanaian media for contributing to the abysmal performance of the Senior National football team the Black Stars. For him, such arguments do not hold especially as a former President of the Ghana Football Association, GFA is quoted as having alluded to the fact that money ruined the Black Stars in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

“I always make this reference, ” Daily Graphic of that year, I think June 27th, 2014, quoted the former FA President as saying that money ruined us in Brazil. I’m saying that if the whole FA President is telling the world, I’m not picking on him, but I’m saying that from this perspective if it is money that destroyed Ghana in Brazil how do you blame the media”.
Mr. Otchere said the media has no role in leadership in the Black Stars, a reason it cannot be accused of being complicit to the disgraceful conducts of the team.

“I will give you two examples: 2014, it was an international disgrace, the money was delayed because leadership didn’t play its role well. Was there money or there was no money? If there was money, how was the communication done to the players, what was the role of the media in that? You can’t blame the media for that !”

He noted the stance of managers of the Black Stars with regard to funds is also a major contributor to the apathy among Ghanaians.

Mr. Otchere added that paying appearance fees of more than half a million dollars to players in a tournament described as the county’s worst-performing AFCON competition, at a time when Coaches of other National teams are yet to be paid is unattainable.
“Graphic Sports published stories talking about the fact that other National team Coaches have not been paid, who will do this? That you will spend close to a million dollars paying appearance fees to players at a competition that has been described as our worst. And you have national team Coaches of other teams who have not been paid for two years, who will do this?
Mr. Otchere maintained public confidence in the leadership of the Black Stars has dwindled for which reason enthusiasm in the Stars has also taken a nosedive.

“So it is not really about journalists trying to promote their players, I know we can talk about that, but the core issue is that public confidence in leadership and management of the Black Stars is low”.

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