Sonnie Badu, a preacher and musician, has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to alter its outlook and behavior.
He finds it distressing that the football organization has essentially coerced several players into early retirement throughout the years.
His opinions were expressed in an open letter to the GFA following Christian Atsu, a player for the Black Stars,’ funeral and burial.
In contrast to Lionel Messi, the PSG star and Argentina captain, who won the World Cup in Qatar at the age of 35, Atsu, sometimes referred to as the Messi of Ghana, took a step back at the age of 31.
“Dear GFA @chris_atsu has been finally laid to rest. However, let me say this .. Let this be a reform of mindset and a change of attitude…. I know our @ghana_fa_official chairman will do things differently
“I heard in recent interviews people saying that he was the Messi of Ghana… Well you guys retired him quick – whiles Messi is still playing the World Cup… Messi is 35 and Astu was 31 …
“Let us learn how to make players feel important while they are alive. We should not wait for something to happen to them before we take over their funeral expenses and all of that,” his letter read in part.
The March 17, 2023 final funeral rites of Christian Atsu attracted people from all walks of life as the forecourt of the State House buzzed with activity.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his vice were in attendance along with a high-powered government delegation. Also in attendance was the former president John Dramani Mahama.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) was led by its president Kurt Okraku who also led members of the association and a group of former Black Stars players.