Herbert Mensah criticizes recycling of personnel in Ghanaian sports administration

Former Asante Kotoko chairman and current Rugby Africa president, Herbert Mensah, has expressed concerns over what he describes as the continuous recycling of individuals within Ghana’s sports administration.

Speaking in an interview with Joy News, Mensah highlighted this practice as a major impediment to the progress of sports in the country, including football.

Mensah argued that the repeated rotation of personnel across different committees stifles innovation and hampers growth.

Drawing from his tenure as chairman of Asante Kotoko from 1999 to 2003, he pointed out how the phenomenon of "musical chairs" among sports administrators undermined efforts to bring about meaningful change.

“I think the problem with sports, and it’s not just football, is there’s a constant recycling of the same kind of material. I’ve been in it, so I’m not speaking abstract; I’m speaking from reality,” he said.

Mensah emphasized that genuine progress requires bold decisions to clear out ineffective individuals who rotate through various roles without bringing fresh perspectives or ideas.

He acknowledged the unpopularity of such decisions but maintained that they are necessary for systemic improvement.

Reflecting on his time in football, Mensah shared his amazement at how individuals moved between committees without significant contributions to development.

He noted that such practices remain a barrier to reform, suggesting that these individuals should be removed entirely to make room for new talent and ideas.

Since stepping away from football, Mensah has focused on rugby, where he currently serves as the president of Rugby Africa, bringing his leadership experience to a different sporting arena.