The date is January 15, 2020. Former Ghana forward CK Akonnor has been officially confirmed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) as the new head coach for the Black Stars.
In a communique that shocked and surprised many, the former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko head coach was elevated from an assistant role to replace his boss, James Kwesi Appiah in the national team.
Questions were raised, the Ghana FA was criticized, but the decision stood as CK Akonnor commenced his new role.
A year down the line, the conditions under which the gaffer has worked is nothing to write home about.
Although talks of a pay cut on his $25,000 per month salary were agreed on, the Ministry of Youth and Sports in charge of paying the coach through the GFA has constantly deferred in doing the needful.
As a result, coach CK Akonnor, who has just qualified Ghana for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament is owed 12 months of unpaid salary.
Although the coach is said to have been paid three months of his salary, he has in the past months been forced to work under unfair conditions not knowing whether he will be paid today or next year probably.
While his situation never occurred during the days the Black Stars was coached by expatriates, it appears as if there is a case of respect foreigners and disrespect locals is in play here.
Even though the coach has not cried out publicly, close sources say he is not happy and is pained with the treatment he has gone through since his national team appointment.
Meanwhile, it is also understood that coach CK Akonnor does not have an official resident provided as a result of being the national team head coach.
In times past, coaches of the Black Stars had the privilege of staying in a resident provided particularly for the job plus a car to ensure he is mobile.
The treatment of the Black Stars head coach is not only sad but appalling and disgraceful to the Ghana FA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. They urgently need to sort out the coach to provide a source of motivation to work for the good of the national team.