Isaac Asiamah, MP for Atwima Mponua in the Ashanti Region, has slammed the Nii Lante Vanderpuye for creating tension between the Sports Ministry outfit and the Ghana Football Association.

As words continue to be traded by senior sports officials in the wake of disagreements on policy issues, Asiamah has jumped into the fray. The ranking member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports believes Vanderpuye does not understand his job.

This week's trending topic regarding payments of Black Stars airfares ahead of their final African Cup qualifier against Rwanda and related bonus payment matters are of concern to Asiamah.

Speaking to Otec FM in Kumasi, he said: “There should be a meeting between the sports minister, Black Stars management team and the playing body to know the exact amount to be paid by the government, therefore the minister is creating divisions and tensions within the council."

Asiamah has seen every sports minister appointed and fired since John Mahama became president, and feels he's in a good position to know when one is being effective. 

“It is not [Vanderpuye's] responsibility to even organize players for matches and this is a clear indication that he does not understand the job he has been given, he needs to learn and learn it well."

Vanderpuye has come under public criticism for suggesting to the Ghana FA and its employee, Avram Grant, that only locally-based players be selected for this qualifier.

“He should work as a sports minister but not like a commentator, we all know he was once a commentator [and] now he has been taken to a higher level [sports ministry] so he should act like a minister responsible for youth and sports, and to provide solutions to the problems,” Asiamah said.

Earlier this week, a leaked message from social networking site Whatsapp revealed Vanderpuye describing the Atwima Mponua MP as a "kurasini" (villager), accusing him of being one of his (Vanderpuye's) detractors. 

Asiamah's response and reaction is also thought to be linked to that revelation.

PAY YOUR OWN BONUSES

Meanwhile, Vanderpuye has insisted that the Black Stars players pay their own winning bonuses should they win against Rwanda. This follows the purchasing of their own flight tickets in order to play for the country on Saturday.

The minister had previously said the nation cannot afford air tickets for this game because the team had already qualified, urging the use of a locally-assembled team.

And speaking to Asempa Sports, Vanderpuye reiterated: “I have already stated that the Ministry has no money to cater for the players air tickets to play for the country so if they have been patriotic enough to buy their own tickets, then they should pay their own winning bonus in addition."

“We have no money to pay any foreign-based player any winning bonus and that is our stand. But we will have something for the team and whatever it is, they players must have to accept it whether they like it or not,” he added.

The ministry has gone on to propose a $2,500 bonus for a win, a drastic reduction on the usual $10,000 per player given.

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