Former President, Jerry John Rawlings, has commended President Nana Akufo-Addo for instructing the Finance Ministry to pay the sum of US$45,000 to former World Boxing Champion, David Kotei, otherwise known as D.K. Poison.
This comes after the President approved the said amount to be paid to Ghana’s first world boxing champion after several petitions by him [D.K. Poison] and his lawyers to the government to refund the money.
The money which was the boxer as part of the reward for winning the world title, was borrowed by the then military government led by General Kutu Acheampong in 1976.
In a statement issued by the Communications Directorate, Kobina Andoh Amoakwa, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings said it was of great pleasure that President Akufo-Addo chose to approve the payment on compassionate grounds, after thorough investigations into the champion’s petition.
“It is gratifying that the President chose to approve the payment on compassionate grounds.
“It is also noteworthy that the President’s decision was informed by the report of an investigative team that looked into the retired world champion’s petition before the payment was approved, ” the former President acknowledged.
He took the opportunity to advise the legendary boxing champion to manage the funds judiciously and also urged the upcoming and successful sportsmen to try and manage their resources in a prudent manner as they retire relatively younger.
“The best testament of gratitude D.K. Poison can show to the President and the country, will be to manage the funds judiciously.
“I take this opportunity to urge our successful sportsmen to endeavour to manage their resources in a prudent manner as they retire relatively younger and have to contend with whatever resources they earned while in active sports”.
