Former youth and sports minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has praised Ghana Football Association following the appointment of Kwesi Appiah as the new Black Stars coach.
The 56-year-old returns to a position he held between 2012 and 2014, replacing Avram Grant whose contract expired in February.
“Convey my sincerest congratulations to the Ghana FA for the appointment of Kwesi Appiah as the national team coach. At least, they are now listening to reasoning," Vanderpuye told Herosportsgh.com.
"I have maintained that we have abundant talent of coaches in Ghana from whom we could choose a national coach from anytime. Let’s value our own. Let’s respect Kwesi Appiah and his team of assistants that he will be working with in the next two years. I pledge my support for him and my prayers are with him as well.
“Ghanaians, let’s support the Black Stars now than ever before because one of our own is leading us to the promise land. I trust Kwesi will not let us down,” he added.
It is not clear whether Appiah will work with the backroom staff of Grant but Vanderpuye insists he must select those he will be comfortable with to achieve his aim.
“Appiah must be bold and select what he thinks will help him. I can’t choose assistants for him but he must be aware that his successes and failures will be determined by those he surrounds himself with. It is a normal life principle.”
Appiah is expected to arrive in Ghana next week from Sudan, to finalise his paperwork. His first official game will be against Congo in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying on August 28 in Kumasi and September 2 at Stade Municipal de Kintele in Brazzaville.