Former President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi has confirmed that he is preparing to contest at the upcoming by-election at Ejisu. Rumours went rife last week when flyers of the former GFA capo circulated online with NPP colours.
During an interview with Captain Smart on the Onua Maakye on Tuesday, the former CAF Vice President and FIFA Council member confirmed the rumours. The celebrated former football administrator said he is from Kwaso in the Ejisu Constituency, but people associate him with Wa because of his links with the former Premier League champions, Wa All Stars.
He revealed that when he made his intentions clear to contest the parliamentary seat at Ejisu people told him to go to Wa to contest since he went there to form his football club. However, the former WAFU President said he was not just doing football in Wa alone; he also did similar things at Kwaso. According to him, he formed Wa All Stars and Ejisu All Stars but the people he entrusted the latter to could not manage it well, leading to its collapse. He added that despite the failed effort, he continued from 2012 to 2017 to organize an Easter Gala for the communities at Kwaso every year.
Kwesi Nyantakyi noted that though he was not into mainstream politics, he created opportunities for the people of Kwaso and Ejisu through sports. He said that if he gets the chance to represent the people, he will do more. The former GFA boss added that people urged him to contest in the 2012 and 2016 elections, but because he was focused on football, he didn’t give it a thought.
According to Nyantakyi, John Kumah did a lot for the constituency so his exit requires that you get a better replacement to continue the good works. “If you are playing football and Lionel Messi is your best player and you are substituting him and bringing a replacement, you need to bring on Ronaldo.” To that end, he said John Kumah was the Ejisu Messi, and he [Nyantakyi] is Ronaldo, the best replacement.
Kwesi Nyantakyi admitted that politics is a complex game but he takes inspiration from the success of President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and some of their appointees who have done so well for the country.
Commenting on his relationship with the NPP, Kwesi Nyantakyi said he has been an NPP member from the beginning, so it was an easy decision to make. He explained that he was involved in party activities in the background at Adenta where he was based.
Asked why he is going into politics, he said politics is the ultimate. He has achieved the very best in football and ranks second only to Ohene Djan when it comes to sports. So he wants to use the experience and influence he has gained over the years in sports to help the people of Ejisu. He added that he wants to continue with the good works of John Kumah at Ejisu.
Mr Nyantakyi added that if given the chance to go to Parliament, he will use his experience in football to help revive Ghanaian football and influence sports in general.
Kwesi Nyantakyi expressed confidence in his chances of winning the Ejisu seat. He said the Young Patriots, a group that was started by John Kumah are leading his campaign, and they are the JJones going to pick the nomination forms for him today at midday.