A small measure of justice for Amusa Gbadamosi

Warren and Baako recently had the opportunity to meet Amusa Gbadamosi, a Ghanaian soccer legend. Amusa was a striker on the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations winning team, the most outstanding player on the 1968 Olympic Team, and a man who once scored on Pele in a match in 1969. His career spanned 24 years on teams in the African leagues from Ghana to Nigeria. Football wasn't lucrative for African players in the time he played, but the Retired Footballers Association in Ghana was supposed to care for him. It has failed to do so and he now lives in poverty in Bimbilla. His fate is connected to the plight of women victimized by witchcraft accusations, many of whom are banished when they become a burden on their families in old age. If Ghana can't provide for its biggest celebrities, its footballers, how can it be expected to provide for the average elderly Ghanaian? Elderly care is one of the systems that must be improved in order to put an end to witchcraft accusations in Ghana Some of you are familiar with my story of Amusa Gbadamosi, the legendary footballer from the 60s and a man known as the African Pele. You can read the previous post here.

Part I
I visited with Mr. Gbadamosi and had a question for him. Ghana and Uganda were playing a match and it was only 4 hours away. I asked Mr. Gbadamosi if he would attend the match with me.

He hesitated and put down his trusty transistor radio he always has on him. I was certain he was going to give me a reason why he simply couldn't go. He looked at me and said he had actually decided to try and attend the match but he wasn't sure how he would make it. We are talking about a man who doesn't even like watching the matches on television. Well he told me he would be happy to go with me.

I would be attending the match at a stadium that should be named for my guest.

We arrived safely in Tamale. I think it's safe to say that my 74 year old companion did much better on the four-hour bus ride than I did. When we arrived I was pleased to find a number of media members staying in the same place as we are. So what was I to do? Well I went and knocked on all their doors and told them I had someone they'd really want to interview.

I had three of them arrive at our room and they stayed for 45 minutes. I learned they had a press conference at the stadium at 2:30pm so I asked the media members if they could get us in so that Mr. Gbadamosi could meet with the Minister of Sports and the head of the Ghana Football Association. Why? Well the man has grievances that need to be addressed. Why not?

"Of course we can get him to the minister. Now who are you again?"

"I'm Warren."

"Oh and where are you from? The United States?"

"Yes"

"…and how long have you known Mr. Gbadamosi?"

"About 3 weeks"

I'm pretty sure they didn't know what to think of me and why I'm such an ardent activist on behalf of Mr. Gbadamosi. One of them told the other one he thought I was an American journalist. Hilarious. Well, Mr. Gbadamosi was on cloud 9. He smiled and laughed all the way to the stadium while reminiscing about the hundreds of matches he has played in. I can't tell you how fortunate I feel to be a part of this. It's now time to go to the stadium to help him meet with the football officials. If he ends up getting a standing ovation at the match tomorrow I won't be surprised and, to be honest, it's what I'm now working towards.

Part II
Mission accomplished. This is probably my most favorite post I've ever written.

When I first met Amusa Gbadamosi he told me of his struggles and how corruption had robbed him of monies meant for him in the past. He was a man with bitterness in his heart and a frustration at the hand he had been dealt.

A couple of days ago I asked him if he would attend the Ghana-Uganda match with me and he surprisingly said yes. He has a complicated history with the Ghana football association and I thought he may not want to associate with anything to do with the national football team.

We met some media members earlier today who assured Mr. Gbadamosi that they would get him access to the president of the Ghanaian Football Association before the scheduled training earlier today. Mr Gbadamosi and I walked the 6 kilometers to the stadium (he likes to walk) and found the media member. We were sent to the stands and assured he would return.

He did not.

Training was nearing an end Mr. Gbadamosi told me he was ready to go. There was a frustration in his eyes and I really didn't know what to do. Hell no, I told myself. We've come too far. I asked him to let me check for the person who assured us he could access the president of the GFA and I left to do some reconnaissance.

I saw where the VIP entrance at the street was located and I noticed the Black Stars bus by that part of the stadium. I returned to our seats and asked him to come with me. As we walked to the entrance, I told him he should just go along with everything I say and I will get us in. There was a man working the gate in a t-shirt and I immediately told him that I'm a American journalist from USA Today and that I'm doing a story on Amusa Gbadamosi. I told him we have an appointment with the president of the GFA and that we were late. He allowed us to enter.

We got to the side of the stadium where a policeman with an AK-47 was waiting. He heard my story and, without saying a word, snatched my dog tags up. He looked at them closely- they only have my contact info for Ghana- and allowed us to pass. I was sweating bullets.

We were squeezed into a door that was barely opened and I could see the pitch in the distance. We then were stopped by another guard who wasn't crazy about my story. Just as he was about to tell us to leave someone asked the head of the players union to identify Amusa Gbadamosi. The fellow immediately recognized him and invited him out onto the pitch. The police officer went to stop me and Mr. Gbadamosi said, "Oh no, he's with the press!" and they let me pass.

The next 30 minutes were just magic to see. Mr. Gbadamosi was swarmed by players old and new. Many didn't even realize he was still alive. He had so many picture requests. It was a hero's welcome, really. Then he encountered the head of the Ghanaian Football Association. They had a spirited discussion but nothing too harsh was said. It was at that point we learned of a players union meeting that was to occur earlier this evening. The meeting was to discuss a pension plan for all footballers that would guarantee a monthly payment to all retired footballers. I told Amusa he had to go. The meeting occurred and I was invited to sit in. Amusa Gbadamosi was sat right next to the union president and his grievances were covered. They have opened an official case to discover what happened to the money meant for him as well. Had he not been there today odds are, with the communication system in Ghana, he would have missed out. I now have the phone numbers and emails of all the leaders of the football association and union so I can keep up with the process.

That being said, he was shown such respect today. It's honestly one of the most beautiful things I've been privileged to be a part of. The story continues but the happiness from Amusa Gbadamosi I'm witnessing right now is something I'll always treasure. I see this as a success for the efforts of the Humanist Action: Ghana. Even though we have official projects I think the fact his life is going to be better is something that never would have occurred without our work. It falls right into our "mission" here and is an example of what human beings are capable of when they care for one another. I'm just floored I get to be a part of it all.

Photo descriptions from top to bottom):
Featured photo: Amusa Gbadamosi swarmed by players old and new.
Photo 1: Mr. Gbadamosi with Pele after their match in 1969.
Photo 2: Mr. Gbadamosi with the author, Warren Tidwell.
Photo 3: Mr. Gbadamosi meeting with players old and new.
Photo 4: Mr. Gbadamosi meeting with players old and new. 
Photo 5: The current captain, Gyan. Another long time player informed him he owes his career to Mr. Gbadamosi
Photo 6: Mr. Gbadamosi swarmed by players old and new.
Photo 7: Mr. Gbadamosi after the meeting.