Ex-Ghana Defender Philip Boampong Criticizes Dede Ayew: 'You Should Have Reached Out to Us

Philip Boampong, a former member of Ghana’s victorious 2009 Under-20 World Cup team, has publicly criticized Andre Dede Ayew, the team’s captain, for allegedly signing an insurance deal without consulting the rest of the players. Boampong, who was part of the Black Satellites team that triumphed in Egypt, expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the deal was handled, highlighting a lack of transparency and communication from Ayew and the officials involved.

In an interview with Global Sports Studios, Boampong recounted how, after the team’s victory in the tournament, the players were informed of an insurance policy that had been signed on their behalf. According to Boampong, the deal was supposed to provide coverage for the players for 15 years, particularly in the event of injury. However, the players were never consulted or made aware of the agreement before it was signed. The lack of communication meant that the players were completely unaware of the policy, which was intended to protect them in the long term.

Boampong revealed that funds were deducted from the financial rewards given to the players after their victory in the tournament, but none of the players benefited from the insurance policy. He emphasized that the deductions were made without the players’ knowledge or consent, which added to their frustration. He made it clear that if they had been informed about the policy, they would have sought treatment for injuries they had sustained during their football careers.

“There was an investment, and he [Dede Ayew] was part of it, but we didn’t know anything about it,” Boampong said during the interview, speaking in Twi. He explained that the players were only called to a general meeting where they were informed of the insurance deal after it had already been signed. “We were told about an insurance policy that was supposed to cover us for 15 years in case of injuries, but we didn’t know about it until then,” Boampong added.

He stressed that had the players been made aware of the policy earlier, they would have been able to use it to treat injuries they had incurred during their playing days. The lack of communication left many of the players feeling that their well-being had been neglected. “If we had known about the policy, we would have taken advantage of it to treat ourselves when we got injured. But after the deductions were made from our financial rewards, we saw no benefits from the deal. At least, he should have informed us,” Boampong said, expressing his discontent.

Boampong’s remarks shed light on the apparent lack of transparency within the team and the handling of financial matters by the officials and leadership at the time. While the players were expected to trust the leadership of the team, the lack of consultation left them feeling betrayed and unimportant. The incident also raises questions about how decisions affecting the players were made without their involvement, especially when it comes to matters such as health and financial security.

The criticisms from Boampong have sparked discussions about accountability and transparency in Ghana’s football management, particularly when it comes to decisions that affect the welfare of the players. While Ayew is known for his leadership qualities on and off the pitch, this issue has put a spotlight on the importance of communication and consultation within the team. Boampong’s comments reflect the disappointment of several players who were left out of the loop, despite being the ones directly impacted by the decisions made.

In the aftermath of Boampong’s public comments, it is clear that the handling of the insurance deal has caused tension and frustration among the players. The lack of information and involvement has created a sense of injustice, with Boampong and others questioning whether they were given the respect and consideration they deserved as key contributors to Ghana’s success on the international stage.