The Asantehene Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II has issued a directive to dissolve both the board and management of Asante Kotoko, a Ghanaian football club.
The board, which was established in 2020, was chaired by businessman Dr. Kwame Kyei, with Mr. Jude Arthur serving as vice-chair.
Other members included Kwadwo Boateng Gyamfi, Kwasi Osei Ofori, Kwamena Mensah, Evelyn Nsiah Asare, Kofi Amoah Abban (MD of RigWorld Oil Group), Martin Osei Kwaku Brobbey (CEO of Lexta Ghana Limited), James Osei Brown (CEO of Joshob Construction Company), Nana Ankobeahene of Asanteman – Baffour Kwame Kusi, Alhaji Lamin, and Joseph Yaw Adu.
Despite having a board composed of knowledgeable and experienced individuals, the inability to resolve significant conflicts led to limited success.
One of the key issues was the persistent conflicts between board chair Dr. Kwame Kyei and Chief Executive Officer Yaw Amponsah over the past three years.
In a recent interview with Kumasi-based Wontumi FM, Nana Yaw Amponsah acknowledged that the relationship between himself and Dr. Kwame Kyei had deteriorated.
“I don’t have any issue with Dr. Kwame Kyei as I sit. I give him the maximum respect wherever and whenever I meet him, but our relationship and how to communicate as CEO and his board chairman is not good like the beginning.”
While the fractious relationship between the pair and the divisiveness among board members are said to have displeased the Asantehene, sources say, in the owner’s assessment, the board and its management failed mandate, which, among many things, was to create a commercial viable entity.
A new direction for the club will be communicated in due course.