GHANAsoccernet.com's hard-hitting editor Patrick Kwame Akoto looks at the fairy-tale rise of Ghana Football Association Communication Director and hack Ibrahim Sannie-Daara, who has thrived under a section of a local media landscape saturated with 'envy,hatred, witchcraft and jealousy'.
Nearly a billion phrases, proverbs and wise sayings in the world address success in the midst of the castigation and belligerence. That isn’t surprising considering very few people make a lasting impact on their peers and many generations after.
In the golden age of technology where information is readily available, such reminders are on constant zap making it near impossible for an individual to miss a reminder that highlights the unpleasant but real human trait.
“Insects are attracted to lights that shine” were the exact words of the best footballer in the world Cristiano Ronaldo in addressing critics following tax investigations about the Portuguese star’s fortune.
While long tenured, award winning media personality Sannie Daara has not been implicated in any actions against the state, it almost feels he has committed several treacherous crimes against Mother Ghana and its citizens.
Endless rows, columns and hours on blogs, newspapers and radio have directly pummeled his work and personality. As the most powerful agenda setter, the general media’s stance on Ghana’s Football Association Communications Director has subsequently been passed on to the public.
So much so the general perception of the man responsible for a well structured communication hierarchy of the West African nation’s most powerful sports body is disliked. However, it is curious his perceived bad rep across sections of the media has done little to slow down his fast rise to the upper echelons of the game.
On an almost yearly basis, the former BBC Journalist’s stock continues to increase in value so much so Sannie Daara’s short stint with Ghana’s FA has been characterized by several international appointments and positive appraisals.
The latest footnote in his outstanding career is his recent appointment as a Media Expert on the Confederation of Africa Football’s Media Panel.
Headlining a 12 man panel including notable media men like Ivory Coast’s Mamadou Gaye and Kenya’s Collins Okiyo, Daara’s appointment is a reflection on his contribution to the development of football on the continent.
Set to serve as a lead voice on the panel, his steep knowledge in the game will be key in new CAF President Ahmad Ahmad’s revolutionary vision for the body.
In his time with the GFA, information accessibility has been streamlined and very effective which stands in sharp contrast to the Wild Wild West days of Journalists scrambling for interviews and feeding on scraps of information from not so well resourced personnel.
Pre match and post match press conferences have been rolled out since his appointment in 2012. The practices have become standard in Ghana and club representatives have adopted similar communication channels in managing information.
The Cardiff University graduate is not a perfect human and has touched nerves in the discharge of his duties. But who is perfect anyway? There are pitfalls for everybody and clearly he's had his fair share but the positives far outweighs the so-called negatives.
Love or loathe him, the world-class journalist, who was appointed in 2012 to manage the communication outfit of the Ghanaian FA, has so far discharged his duties to admiration, showing measured temperament in the face of unwarranted attacks.
Many have scrambled for the job he was headhunted for after working in the local and international media for 17 years.
In the midst of the constant attack on his persona and professionalism in his native Ghana, he has stood above waters and continues to endear himself to his international peers.
Indeed, he has rattled cages with his meticulous approach to work yet has survived a tiny section of a local media which is littered with so much hatred, envy, witchcraft and backstabbers.
His achievements, extensive knowledge, experience ,expertise and international links is beyond measure and will continue to soar even in the face of needless attacks.
Impressions are given as though those scrambling for his position can do any better when handed the baton. It will remain a pipe dream for such roques masquerading as journalists.
It's better to be associated as a fair balanced mind or in extreme criticism tagged as 'praise-singer' than being clothed as an 'alarmist and doomsayer'.
Daara's persona, humility, passion and understanding of his profession has transcended the tiring and wicked character assassination intended to smear his hard-won reputation.
His passion to develop football in Africa led the Foreign Press Association Award winning Journalist to expose the exploitation of young footballers on the continent.
Adopting the right means in exposing the best African talents was behind his huge involvement in the extremely successful organization of the West African Football Union Cup of Nations in Ghana a few months back.
Perhaps his over zealous defence of the Ghana Football Association has landed him in trouble with some stakeholders over the years.
After witnessing firsthand the gross damage inflicted on the nation following Ghana’s participation at the 2014 World Cup, a passionate individual would go to any length to prevent a repeat.
Gaining grounds in the face of constant criticisms which border on plain sinister acts has done little to slow down Sannie Daara’s comet-like rise in football.
His exemplary work has made him the top choice of individuals and organizations who seek excellence and consistency and with several years of service left in the tank, further achievements are in the offing.
Quite simply, there is no stopping Ibrahim Sannie Daara.
By Patrick Kwame Akoto