Ghanaian singer and author Sonnie Badu has penned an open letter to the Ghana Football Association. In the letter, the multiple award-winning gospel musician urged them to let what happened to the late former Ghana international Christian Atsu to be the cause for “a reform of mindset and change of attitude”.
Christian Atsu at the start of his career in Europe was likened to the Argentine little magician, Lionel Messi but as the latter was leading his team in Qatar and lifted the most coveted trophy in global football in December, Atsu was watching from afar, having being exiled from the Black Stars squad years before.
This, the musician feels is very bad and if Messi at 35 was capable of playing then why was Atsu at 30 not allowed to do so?
He begun, “Dear GFA @chris_atsu has been finally laid to rest. However, let me say this .. Let this be a reform of mindset and a change of attitude…. I know our @ghana_fa_official chairman will do things differently
“I heard in recent interviews people saying that he was the Messi of Ghana… Well you guys retired him quick – whiles Messi is still playing the World Cup… Messi is 35 and Astu was 31.”
According to Sonnie Badu, the football authority and Ghanaians need to learn how to make players feel important and wanted. It is not enough to wait and do big funerals for them when they are dead but to do the little things for them that matter while they are alive.
ATTENTION: John Paintsil fires GFA for neglecting Atsu when he needed them most.
“Let us learn how to make players feel important while they are alive. We should not wait for something to happen to them before we take over their funeral expenses and all of that,” he stated.
Giving an example, the musician used Arsenal midfielder Thomas Teye Partey whom most Ghanaians have accused of giving less in the Black Stars jersey, contrary to his monstrous performances for his club.
“We know that, most of the players get injured during international duties And it is to no suprise, that they end up losing their position, in their club teams and also national teams…. That’s why players like @thomaspartey5 would rather put their 
in club rather than national teams,” Sonnie Badu explained.
He mentioned one other victim of the Black Stars exile, Jerry Akaminko. The strong defender was at the peak of his career ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but a pre-tournament friendly game against the Netherlands ended his dreams of playing at the tournament and eventually lead to his career spiralling downwards to a halt.
“@jakaminko was at his peak when he got injured playing for Ghana and everyone suddenly forgot about him… He ended up playing for a low division Turkish team – that he had fighting for his Monies owed…
“Those low division teams in Turkey are called playing to survive and keep fit .. the clubs knows it and so they fraustrate players,” he stated.
Recounting the words of the winger as read in the tribute by Hatayspor, Sonnie Badu said it showed Christian Atsu was dedicated to his career and deserved more. He added that he died a champion and his last goal for his club cannot be forgotten.
“I heard the tribute read from the club, he told the coach he either plays or goes to see his family.. if one could only turn back time .. it shows how commited he was to his career …champ you died a hero and you scored you last goal … it cannot be forgotten by the club…… rest well .. your send off was beautiful,” he concluded.
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