Rashid Pelpuo's Removal Sparks Outrage

Hon. Rashid Pelpuo�s removal from the Youth and Sports Ministry has triggered public outrage, with some sports analysts describing the Wa Central MP�s exit from the sports Ministry as �unacceptable� and �a major blow� to the nation�s sports sector. President John Mills removed Hon Pelpuo from the Youth and Sports Ministry on Monday, January 25, in his first ever major Ministerial Reshuffle since taking office in January 2009. In a press statement released on Monday, the President moved Women and Children�s Affairs Minister, Akua Sena-Dansoa, to replace Hon Pelpuo at the Youth and Sports Ministry. Coming at the time the Black Stars are battling in far away Angola for a fifth Africa Cup glory, and aiming to cause a major upset in South Africa later this year, Sports analysts say the President�s decision is most �absurd� and could lead to many �disastrous� consequences. In an exclusive interview with Citi FM, respected sports analyst and former Chairman of the Ghana Boxing Authority, Mr. Moses Foh Amoaning attacked Hon Pelpuo�s removal, saying he could see many problems ahead. �How can you justify the change of a Sports Minister who has done extremely well, in the middle of the cup of nations when we are in the Semi finals? Honestly I am stunned by this decision. The problem is coming from the presidency itself�What do you think the Black Stars Players will be thinking about this morning? �Instead of concentrating on the game, they are going to spend the whole day or the next day thinking about the change of the sports Minister�I think the President has put his neck on the chopper�s block. If anything happens to this team and they lose, it�s going to be a bit of a disaster because I think people will be very measured in forgiving the President.� He said. Mr. Foh Amoaning said he suspects Hon Pelpuo�s removal was carefully orchestrated by some people close to the President who thought his tactical handling of the Ghana Olympics Committee troubles did not favor them. �I heard rumours towards the end of November and getting to December that there were moves to ensure that Rashid was changed on the basis that he was in the pay pockets of some officials within the FA and also the way he had taken a very neutral and responsible position in respect of the GOC confusion�He was not backing all those who were willing to ensure that this current Football Association was undermined to the extent to which it should have been.� He expressed worry at the rate at which politicians �undermine the only thing that brings Ghanaians together� � sports, and called for investigations into the allegations of conspiracy against Hon. Pelpuo.