Ex Ghana defender Antyhony Baffoe says a ââ¬Ëproperââ¬â¢ welfare officer of international repute is needed for all the national teams.
The FIFA/CAF General Co-ordinator made this suggestion when he appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry gathering facts about Ghanaââ¬â¢s poor showing at the 2014 World Cup.
According to Baffoe, a well-trained easily identifiable personality must be given an elevated task as a welfare officer in the national teams â⬓ especially the Black Stars â⬓ other than what is currently being practiced.
ââ¬ÅIf I may ask the question, do you know what a welfare officer is,â⬠Baffoe quizzed the commission.
ââ¬ÅJust like the structure with Germany and Oliver Bierhoff. He doesnââ¬â¢t only distribute letters and money and all those things.
ââ¬ÅHe also does scouting. He tracks the performance of players and do follow ups at their clubs.
ââ¬ÅFor instance if someone like Stephen Appiah picks up the phone and calls AC Milan to ask about Michael Essien, everybody knows him. Or even Marcel Desailly.
ââ¬ÅWe need to make very good use of these ex internationals.ââ¬
Baffoe who is the General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) also tendered in a well prepared document from his outfit to the commission on how to raise and strengthen player unions in Ghana.
He spoke of the need to have a regularized minimum wage, health and pension cover for footballers especially in the local leagues.