Many sports fans in Ghana who are disturbed by the frequent changes of Sports Ministers in the country are likely to feel more puzzled than satisfied with the explanation by President Atta Mills that the changes are carefully planned and made for a purpose.

At a gathering with senior journalists at Osu Castle Government House, President Mills told a bewildered questioner that each Sports Minister was given a specific assignment to perform and has to leave immediately after completing his mission.

Within a decade (2001-2011) , Ghana has had  nine Ministers in charge of sports; five during the eight year period of the NPP administration under President John Kufuor and  four so far in the two year old NDC regime  under President John Atta Mills.

Judging from certain spurious circumstances leading to some of the changes, it is very difficult for the sporting public to wholly accept President Mills’s explanation on its face value. Since  President Mills may not be in a position to speak for the past regime, it is safe to assume that he is talking about  his four Ministers- Muntaka, Pelpuo, Akua Dansua and  freshman Kofi Humado.

The circumstances leading to Muntaka's exit are still fresh in the minds of football fans especially. Pelpuo's might be muted but the acrimonious manner with which Akua Dansua is leaving the sporting scene is, to put it mildly most unsporting.

A professional journalist herself, her verbal attack on a section of the sporting media was to my mind, most uncharitable. She hit below the belt with allegations live on radio that some journalists were paid money to destroy her.

Personally, Akua is a long-time friend of mine and I was extremely excited when she was appointed the first woman sports minister in the country. I wrote a piece on this blog extolling her virtues as a hard working experienced journalist and prayed that she leaves a good mark.

It’s unfortunate that she found the sports ministry that slippery and could not contain the posturing of the numerous football journalists some of whom behave as if football in Ghana started only yesterday. Akua obviously lost her temper by calling her critics mercenary journalists.

I would plead that as an honourable Member of Parliament she would learn to be tolerant. Her new portfolio at the Ministry of Tourism is akin to the sports ministry where everybody thinks he has the blueprint to make tourism the number one foreign exchange earner for the country.

The experts will as usual, bombard the new minister with stories from Singapore, Malaysia, Kenya, South Africa etc.  And she would have to be cool and collected to reach her goal. I feel it is a feather in Akua's cap that she has within two years been made to head three ministries.

It is the view of President Mills that she has completed her assignment at the sports ministry and she must move on. It is my hope that she would continue to show interest in sports and visit the stadium regularly.

This weekend for example should provide a lot of football thrills as the second round of the national soccer league begins. Accra Hearts of Oak and Real Tamale United have a tough fixture at the Ohene Djan Stadium and Akua's presence would be most welcome to add colour to the occasion.

Both teams are not in the best of shapes though. Hearts are 9th in the table and RTU are incredibly in relegation zone- last but one. It should be a thriller.
Another thriller should be at Wa where  a rejuvenated  Kumasi Asante Kotoko face  the local All Stars.

This has been one of the worst league season for Kotoko in 52 years  but with injection of  a number of young talented players , the 21 times league champions hope to make  a speedy recovery in the second round.

Berekum Chelsea, unlike their English Mentors from West London are confidently on top of the table and they look poised for a home win against Accra Mighty Jets. Defending champions Aduana Stars will be home to neighbours Berekum Arsenal at Dormaa Ahenkro where they look the favourites.

The King Faisal -Kessben match at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi should also be exciting. The other fixtures will see Mysterious Dwarfs and Liberty Professionals at Cape Coast; B.A. Stars and Ashgold at Sunyani and New Edubiase against Heart of Lions at Bekwai.

These are all lovely pairings and one should expect maximum patronage but I am still looking forward to seeing the Professional League Board copying some of the beautiful novelties in the English Premiership.

Do you know that the second round in England continued without many people taking any notice? Infact because of the disruptions by the snow, the Manchester United - Chelsea match is still outstanding, but the rest of the league programme goes on. That is what I call splendid organisation. Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.

Lest I forget; don’t be surprised if it takes Kofi Humado just nine months to complete his assignment. I am told he is management expert. When his name came on the air, many veteran sports enthusiasts confused him with Prof Kofi Kumado, the veteran football administrator. That would have been a wonderful catch.