Communicating Kotoko: Ahenkorah's huge task

Kwaku Ahenkorah - Kotoko Communications Manager.

It was only a matter of time. His appointment letter had been sent to the Board of Directors. The only thing left was the Board’s approval. That approval or confirmation came last week. Kwaku Ahenkorah is Kotoko's new Communications Manager.
 
I don't remember the exact date on which I met Kwaku Ahenkorah for the first time. It must have been at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium somewhere in 2008. I had then heard of him as a likable, fine journalist in Kumasi. Pleasant and affable was the view I formed of him after our first, brief interaction or meeting in Kumasi. That view is still intact.

After working and interacting with Kwaku Ahenkorah over the last one month, my opinion of my elder brother has been finer because we only get to know people well when we get closer. Kwaku Ahenkorah has an excellent professional attitude. I’m not saying this because Kwaku is in to work for Kotoko. That’s the truth, nothing but the whole truth. If it was anything different, I would have mustered the courage to say it.  

Kwaku is passionate about his profession. He goes about it in the best possible way, dealing tactfully and professionally with practically anybody who comes his way. Such is the kind of personality Kotoko needs because it’s not easy doing anything for Kotoko especially at the management level.

If Kwaku Ahenkorah didn’t know that any job you are assigned to do at Kotoko requires sacrifice, I’m sure he knows that by now. All things considered, doing anything for Kotoko demands great sacrifice. I’m not a management member but from close observation, I have seen past and present Kotoko management members experiencing difficulties they probably wouldn’t encounter or go through but for their association with Kotoko.

I won’t be able to share examples of those difficulties for lack of space and time. I, however, will encourage Kwaku Ahenkorah to be ready for more sacrifice. Kwaku Ahenkorah, in my view has that sacrificial spirit. I know of how he was from his own pocket, buying A4 sheets to print team sheets for journalists at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, for instance, when he was the Media Officer at the national stadium.

Aside sacrifice, our Communications Manager must try to satisfy all Kotoko interests – particularly that of Kotoko Express and the website, www.asantekotokosc.com. These are issues I have already discussed with him so the impression shouldn’t be that, I could have privately discussed these with him.

The point about Kotoko’s media outlets is very important. Kotoko Express and Asantekotoksoc.com thrive on information, not just information but Kotoko information.

As a result, it’s imperative that, our media outlets – owned and administered by dedicated professionals are fed regularly with accurate, timely and exclusive information.

It’s undeniable that, not every Kotoko news or information will be published by Kotoko Express and Asantekotokosc.com. In this era where there are FM or radio stations everywhere and their sports presenters always eager to be the first to break the news, only a novice will argue that FM or radio stations shouldn’t be given Kotoko news or information.

Even if one does that, radio sports presenters would surely find means of getting what one doesn’t want to share with them. Radio has extensive reach or coverage besides being the easiest means of disseminating information nowadays. Kwaku Ahenkorah would thus (and legitimately so) want to serve radio interests.

In so doing, Kwaku Ahenkorah must ensure a careful balance between which news FM or radio stations receive from Kotoko and which ones Kotoko Express and Asantekotokosc.com handle. I’m making this point not for any reason but the simple fact that, in the past, Kotoko Express for example has had to struggle for exclusive news on the club. That shouldn’t happen now.

Elsewhere, media outlets of football clubs have exclusive rights to certain information. It shouldn’t be difficult for us to do the same thing at Kotoko. I end this piece with an applause for Kwaku Ahenkorah as in his acting capacity, he worked to expectation. He can only build on the good work he has started now that he has been confirmed. Welcome and good luck, Kwaku!

Time for decisive action on Kotoko’s form

Coach Mas-ud Didi Dramani whisper to his players.

In the recent days, Kotoko coach, Mas-ud Didi Dramani has come under severe flak for various reasons, topmost among which is, the seeming unimpressive performance by the Porcupine Warriors in the 2014/15 First Capital Plus League. It started from the 0-1 loss to Aduana Stars at Dormaa Ahenkro on match day one. That loss although not surprising to me was disappointing.

The assumption before the match was that, with the quality of players Kotoko had assembled and the trial matches played over the four-month off-season period, Kotoko worst result against Aduana Stars would have been a draw. The Porcupines lost and returned home to host Hasaacas who remarkably held them to a pulsating 2-2 draw.

Didi Dramani and his players didn’t have it easy in that match. After the game, the fans were also at their throat, lambasting them for struggling and not winning too. Days later at the Coronation Park, Sunyani, Didi and his players exhibited quite an excellent show to beat B. A. United 2-0 – securing their first three maximum points in the season.

There were a handful of Kotoko supporters, who, behaving like almost like ingrates didn’t want to see the effort of the Porcupines in getting that vital away win. These supporters criticized the coach heavily and the entire team for perceived non-performance. They complained that, with Kotoko’s Africa campaign around the corner, less convincing displays by the team had the potency to ensure another early exit from Africa.

I thought these fans were unfair to Coach Didi. Not giving up on their demand for quality performance, these fans continued to express dissatisfaction with Kotoko’s uninspiring league form even when they piped Inter Allies 1-0 on match day five in Kumasi. The supporters still felt Kotoko struggled to win and that couldn’t be the characteristic of a team ready to storm Africa.

Was Coach Didi going to throw in the towel in the face of his supposed unimpressive outing? Not really. Didi was spot on. He wasn’t afraid to be fired, he said in interviews following the 2-2 draw with Hasaacas. He lost 1-0 to Hearts at home last Saturday on match day six and since that agonizing defeat, the calls on management for Didi to be fired has intensified.

From Saturday, I haven’t met any Kotoko fan who wants Didi to stay. But would management accede to the supporters’ demand to sack him? Should Coach Didi be sacked? Wouldn’t there be any repercussions for his dismissal? Who will replace him? Do we have anybody in mind? How difference will a new coach make at this time? Is that what will restore Kotoko’s glory?

These are questions that have to be answered before any move is made to fire Didi. The fans list wrong selection, tactical deficiencies and poor substitution as some of the reasons based on which they want Didi Dramani out. I don’t know about tactical deficiencies. I am myself deficient in that respect. However, I have, on occasions disagreed with the coach on his choice of players. Whether that disagreement provides enough ground to sack him is another matter.

As I write, I am not sure of management’s posture on Didi’s future. What I’m however certain of is that, the fans are fast falling out with the coach. That’s an unhealthy development. I implore management to be calm yet very strong – not necessarily bowing to supporters’ pressure.

They decisions they deem fit and appropriate. They are in-charge. They must direct the ship and not make it sink. Whatever decision management arrives at on Didi Dramani, must be quick. There must be no air of ambiguity surrounding it. That decision must take into account the club’s Africa campaign, ensuring that, if Didi will continue, he must do much better than he’s done. Conversely, if it is that, Coach Didi sent out, that must also be made clear and simple.

Commentary around the club boldly confirms that not everyone is happy. There’s unanimity that, Coach Didi is losing it. Some of the players too don’t appreciate what it takes to play for Kotoko. Whether it is Coach Didi that has to assume control and change things for the better, or it is the players or indeed it is management, this is the time for decisive action.

Dealing with supporters – Opoku Nti’s style

Opoku Nti (middle) at Kotoko supporters' programme.

I love Kotoko supporters. They are a bunch of very interesting people; people who at times are very easy to please yet extremely difficult to handle most often. Contrary to what many people outside the club think, you cannot take the Kotoko supporter for granted. No. not at all! 

Whether illiterate or literate, the Kotoko supporter knows exactly what he wants from the club. When things are bad with the club, expect the Kotoko supporter to tell you. When things are good, in the same vein, the Kotoko supporter will make you aware. 

I am not sure if this is so with all clubs but at Kotoko, my observation is that, one simple slip by a player, a coach or a management member can cause huge disaffection. Conversely, a single good decision by any of the aforementioned people can lead to untold joy and fun. 

That is the complexity that surrounds the Kotoko supporter’s life, which requires a fine understanding and an exceptionally good handling, lest a player; coach or official is likely to fall out with the supporter (s). It may all be an undesirable characteristic of the club’s supporters but it’s the reality, which anybody working in the club must appreciate. 

No matter the amount of professionalism you want to attach to your assigned task at Kotoko, your success or failure could well hinge on how you relate with the supporters. I say this based on a development I closely observed after Friday’s home game against Inter Allies. 

Kotoko won the game 1-0 courtesy substitute Dauda Mohammed’s 62nd minute strike. Tension was building up in the stands before the goal was scored. Many assumed that, Kotoko were going to maul the well-organised Tema side. After the first half, when indications were clear that, Kotoko would labour to win the game, the supporters’ anxiety shot up to a high level. 

So there was a goal. A big relief! The three maximum points at stake would be bagged. Unlike the clash with Hasaacas in which the Porcupines conceded two goals and eventually drew 2-2, this time, they protected their lead with great amount of sweat to earn their first win at home. 

One would have thought that, the supporters would have left the stadium applauding the team’s effort. Well, not exactly. Some did. Others didn’t. Those who didn’t do that expressed their dissatisfaction with the quality of play. They overlooked the fact that, Christopher Bonney’s injury forced Coach Didi to make substitutions he logically wouldn’t have made. 

They cared less about the impact that forced those substitutions. They also didn’t mind if Inter Allies had a fantastic defensive strategy, which saw Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin withdrawing his attackers at some point for defensive-minded players to prevent Kotoko from scoring. All that the supporters cared about was Kotoko and that their performance was unimpressive in their view.

Didi coherently explained his approach to the game at the post-match press conference. Not surprisingly, he had divergent views as to what happened. That was to be expected. He’s the coach. Therefore he has always has a deep insight, which all things aside, must be respected. 

Now outside the press centre, a group of fans – about 50 of them had surrounded General Manager, Opoku Nti’s vehicle. Alone in the vehicle, the Kotoko legend was turning left, right to the front windows of his vehicle answering supporters’ questions on the team’s performance. I was touched. 

Opoku Nti was visibly weary but he stoutly defended the players and the coach. He urged the supporters to watch matches regardless of the team’s performance. He assured them, that, things would improve. They listened patiently. They were attentive. They appeared to believe him. Anytime Opoku Nti gently stepped on his accelerator to move, they moved with the vehicle. 

For almost an hour, the supporters’ “interview” continued. All of a sudden and strangely too, there was a resolution: the General Manager has spoken. He’s spent good time with us. He’s thoroughly explained issues. We are satisfied. He must be allowed to go home, they charged. Tell me, undoubtedly it is officials and supporters who love their club who will behave this way. 

As long as you work for Kotoko, you owe the supporters a duty. It’s easy to fallout with them. It’s also very easy to court their support. You may be successful at Kotoko if you do the latter well. I think, that’s what it’s, generally, in life. We must have time for people, no matter what.