I dedicate my column this week to a tribute by Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) to a departed devoted colleague. Ebo Quansah who was buried in his home town Ekumfi Ekrawfo last Saturday.
Our brother K. Ebo Quansah was a committed SŴAG member. This is a well-known fact.
His selfless contribution to SWAG started in the early 1970’s when he served as deputy secretary to Joe Aggrey during the long administration of Oheneba Charles, Ken Bediako and Co. He is remembered for his trademark black briefcase containing SWAG documents and cash. Yes cash because Ebo was entrusted with petty cash collected from latecomers at SWAG monthly general meetings.
He accounted faithfully to members joking at times he would even walk to meetings if he was broke and won’t take a cedi from the SWAG briefcase. Ebo, the fearless sportswriter, was that straightforward character and extremely affable.
When he returned from his sojourn in the UK he quickly renewed his membership of the now expanded SWAG and fully contributed to its progress. It was therefore no surprise when he was unanimously made president in 2002 taking over from Joe Aggrey who had been appointed Deputy Sports Minister by the J. A. Kufuor administration.
Enthusiastically Ebo who by his elevation had become the 4th President of SWAG brought new vigour into the SWAG.
He was particularly in love with SWAG flagship annual event. In 2003 for the first time, the annual SWAG Awards Night was graced by the Head of State, President J. A. Kufuor at the Banquet Hall State House. It is pertinent to quote a small portion of what the usually outspoken Ebo Qusnsah told the gathering on that occasion.
He said “We are particularly proud that the President has chosen the platform offered by the SWAG to relaunch Ghana sports. We are looking forward to the new direction and policy initiatives on sports promotion and development.
For SWAG members tonight’s event marks a watershed in our desire today to aid the forward march of sports in this country. It places a heavy burden on us to improve the way we do our professional duties. We have a duty to be well informed about what we put in the public domain” he added.
In his quest to maintain standards the 2004 SWAG Awards Night was held at Alisa Hotel in Accra to mark the official opening of the plush hotel owned by SWAG Patron Kwame Ofosu Bamfo affectionately called Sikkens.
True to Ebo’s high standards, the 2005 SWAG Awards Night was moved to the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi under the distinguished patronage of Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11. The programme was sponsored by One Touch then owned by Ghana Telecommunications.
After one of the most colourful events in the history of the SWAG, Otumfuo invited the SWAG leadership and the Patrons to Manyhia.
In 2006 the SWAG Awards held at the Trade Fair Site at La in Accra was billed as farewell package for the Black Stars ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Vice President Aliu Mahama represented President Kufuor.
There is no doubt that the SWAG Awards ceremony was so dear to the heart of Kobina Ebo Quansah.
Not just the awards but also the Association itself and he did all he could to ensure that SWAG held its place of honour in the national discourse so far as sports was concerned. There is no doubt that Ebo Quansah would be sorely missed at this years’ SWAG Awards Night that marks the Golden Jubilee of this momentous occasion for Ghana sports. After serving his term, he became a Patron as the SWAG regulation says. Giving his great institutional memory, he consistently held leadership to account for their stewardship.
Recently he had been in the forefront ensuring that the Association was not short-changed by its current tenant at the SWAG Club House.
Ebo’s last post on the SWAG WhatsApp platform on June 4 is an example. It reads “please we have already met on site. The only outstanding issue is for us to meet as we have agreed at Alisa and hear from the Engineers and take a decision. There is no need going to the site again.
We all have a fair idea of what is happening there.
This reaction was in response to a notice from the General Secretary after a series of discussions. Ebo never took a back seat but would always come out to criticize, advice or share his opinion on issues that pertain to the Association.
Ebo was known for his political stand on national issues and in his latter days, as a journalist he worked in that area.
Perhaps it was only with SWAG that he remained objective and fair.
The SWAG is saddened that at a time when it is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary it has lost one of its dynamic presidents. It has been a very difficult moment because we are also mourning our fifth President Ackah Erzuah Anthony whose sad death preceded Ebo Quansah’s by a few days.
Ebo will often say that one person cannot do it all but it was important that one gets on the right side of posterity when presented with the choice to lead or to serve. Ebo will be missed for his forthrightness, his deep knowledge, and his selflessness.
We will strive to preserve his legacy of having an impactful SWAG and maintain the high standards he set in the organisation of the SWAG Awards.
May his soul rest in perfect peace”
End of story.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
