CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CHAIRMAN OF UPPER WEST REGIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION ( RFA )

I extend my profound congratulations to Alhaji Yahaya D.S.( BIYAD ) on his re-election for yet another four year term of office at the Regional Congress that took place on the 27th of July, 2011 at the GNAT Hall – Wa. This is indeed a big honour conferred on him based on his hard work and enthusiasm in the game and guidance to the youth which helped place football in Upper West on high pedestal.

Alhaji Yahaya has planted a seed which he watered tirelessly with patience to germinate. He nurtured the seedling to grow into a tree which now begins to yield fruits. In December, 2005 he conceived the idea of vying for the position of Regional Football Association (RFA) chairmanship in Upper west Region. This noble idea was transplanted on a concrete action, the result of which we are seeing today.

Somebody may not understand why this singular honour was conferred on him. His re-election into this high office to occupy this responsible position can be justified based on a number of goals he scored over the years. Notable among the goals include the following:

• He acquired a descent two room office accommodation for the RFA. Perching with the Regional Sports Council in the same office is now a thing of the past.

• He raised the status of football to premiership as a result of the collaborative efforts of all other stakeholders in and out side the region through the rising of a young morning star from the sky of Upper West Region which illuminated the way that lead to the auspicious birth of Wa All Stars Football Club which is now the only hope of Northern Ghana. R.T.U., the pride of the North is gone. May R.T.U. bounce back to premiership within the shortest possible time.

• Alhaji Yahaya D.S. gave a big sigh of relief to Division One clubs in the region by creating a considerable number of such clubs thereby preventing them from traveling over long distance to Southern Ghana to honour league matches. This saves time, money and energy.

• During his first term of office, the Upper West RFA Chairman elects promoted women football in the region by giving it an open recognition. Women are trained as coaches to handle women clubs and many more trained as referees.

• Small boys of under fourteen yeas are trained as 'Ball Boys' to play their role as expected as in all other league centres in Ghana.The boys are very smart.

• Security network at the sports stadium during league matches is outstanding. Misunderstandings and fights that otherwise escalate into wars are nipped from the bud.

Taking the above mentioned achievements of the RFA Chairman elect for the growth and development of football in the region into consideration, I will not hesitate in recommending that his name be written in golden letters in the annals of football in Ghana. Alhaji Yahaya has made history for himself. It is now left with historians to write.

I want to also this as an advantage to congratulate Mr. Kwesi Nyentakyi, the GFA president on his re-election into office for another term. His morning star is still glittering from the sky of upper West Region that illuminates the whole of African football now. I must also extend my profound congratulations to all other RFA Chairmen elect through out Ghana. May Allah throw His divine support behind the GFA president and all his his regional representatives.

Finally, my humble word of advice to the Upper West RFA Chairman is that he should be relatively firm and flexible. If he is too firm or strict people will mistake him for a wicked man and if he is too flexible they will mistake him for a weak man. He must also know that sometimes if you are made a leader of a community you may not know whether the people you are leading are following you or are chasing you. For those who are following you I have no problem with them. As for those who are chasing you if you give them the chance to seize the midfield it will be difficult for you to operate. They are out to weigh you down the ladder.

May Allah clear all obstacles on his way and either lead him out or show him the way so that

at the end of the day we shall have no option other than expressing words of gratitude to Him.

BABA DAWUD ( ADIDAS )
P.O. BOX IO8
WA, UW/R.
[email protected]

THE DIGNITARIES WHO GRACED THE CONGRESS