Members of Parliament have proposed the personality and vision of former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan to be made a subject of study in schools to inspire the next generation.
His iconic figure and brand, they said, should also be promoted to inspire other rich and endowed footballers to act in likewise manner to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh made the proposal in a statement he read on the floor of the House to celebrate the former Ghana international and was supported by many members.
Asamoah Gyan offcially announced his retirement from active football this week after more than two decades as a professional footballer.
Gyan is the all-time leading goal scorer of the Ghana national team, with 51 goals. He represented Ghana at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 FIFA World Cups. With six goals, he is the top African goal scorer in the history of the World Cup.
Gyan also represented Ghana at the 2004 Summer Olympics and in seven Africa Cup of Nations in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019, helping them finish in third place in 2008 and runner-up in 2010 and 2015.
The Majority Whip argued Asamoah Gyan stands tall in the history of Ghana football in recent decade.
“He said, “It might be debatable who is considered the greatest of all time in Ghanaian football, with the likes of Baba Yara, Abdul Razak, Abedi Pele, Tony Yeboah, and so forth.”
“As much as we all may have our favourites on the pitch, Asamoah Gyan is undoubtedly one of the best in the past two decades as far as the attacking department of the male Ghanaian football team is concerned.”
Hon. Annoh Dompreh pointed out that Asamoah Gyan is without doubt one of the pioneering entrepreneur footballers with a number of companies including in the aviation sector (Baby Jet Airlines) and the housing and real estate sector (Baby Jet Plaza).
He stressed in the sector of food and Agriculture, Gyan has fed many Ghanaians with Vits Noodles and Rice, as well as quenched the thirst of many with Paradise mineral water at Dobro Nsawam.
According to him, a man with such great ability and talent both on and off the pitch deserves more hence a monument should be erected in his name to show Ghana’s appreciation for the diverse contributions.
The early life of Asamoah Gyan Asamoah dates to his basic school days at Seven Great Princess Academy in Dansoman and procceeded to Accra Academy, where he started his juvenile career under the tutelage of veteran coach J.E. Sarpong.
He started his professional club career at Liberty Professional with 10 goals to his credit in 16 appearances.
By 2003 he moved to Europe to continue his careers and played a number of internati clubs including Udinese and Modena in Italy, Renne in France, Sunderland in England, Al Ain UAE, Shangai SIPG, Al Alin (Dubai) and Kayserispor in Turkey.
The honours he won during the span of his career include the BBC best African player award in 2010, 1st runner winner of AFCON, 2nd Place African football of the year, the most capped black star player with 109 appearances and 51 goals, the African with most goals in world cup with six goals to his credit and Ghana’s all-time lead goal scorer among many others.
Other members who contributed to the statement and applauded the sacrifices of the former Black Stars included Abdul-Raship Pelpuo, Amin Anta, Andy Appiah Kubi, Ahmed Ibrahim and Freda Prempeh.
Speaker of Parliament Alban S.K. Bagbin has described imposition of taxes on sanitary pads as a cardinal sin.
According to him, it is conscienceless on the House of Parliament to pass a law to impose tax on sanitary pads.
“Why should we as members of this House pass a law imposing tax on sanitary pads? This is unconscionable. It is a cardinal sin. This House shouldn’t have allowed it all.”
“You know the impact of that law on the human resource development and on the development of this country is immeasurable,” he said.
He warned the sanitary pad tax should not appear in the next budget of the government as he takes a very serious view on the matter.
The Speaker was making a remark after Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza had read a statement on Wednesday’s floods in parts of Accra and a woman and her two children who were carried away by the flood water in the Ngleshie-Amanfrom constituency.
The Speaker indicated he has received a petition from interest groups on the tax and urged the House to take action to prevent the Minister who proposed the pad tax to take it off.
Meanwhile a group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) stormed Parliament to demand removal of taxes on sanitary pads.
Their demand follows a claim by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) that any policy measure by the government that seeks to remove taxes on imported sanitary pads at the expense of local manufacturers will be very detrimental to the economy.
It said much as the waiver of duties or taxes on imported sanitary pads for young women to make the pads more affordable may sound good, it would only end up completely wiping out the few local sanitary pad factories left in the country.
The comments have, however, incurred the wrath of a section of the populace culminating in the CSOs marching through some principal streets of Accra to demand removal of the taxes.
According to the group led by Maame Ama Pratt, the 12.5 per cent VAT and the 20 per cent import tax imposed on sanitary pads have increased the prices of the item.
Speaking moments after presenting a petition to Parliament, she said the move has made it impossible for women to afford them.
Ama Pratt also added that they will not relent in their efforts to have the taxes scrapped by the government.
