Enough of the Benjamin Asare funfair – Oti Adjei warns

Veteran sports journalist Michael Oti Adjei has cautioned against what he describes as excessive celebrations surrounding Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare’s achievements.

The Head of Sports at Media General made the comments on X on Friday in a video shared through his account, urging Asare and those around him to exercise restraint despite his recent success.

Oti Adjei acknowledged Asare’s impressive performances but argued that the goalkeeper’s growing stream of public celebrations and gifts could become excessive.

“Yes, going to the World Cup was great and I loved Benjamin. I remember spending time with him on the beaches around Accra Central,” he said.

“But sometimes absence is a mark of respect. It is a mark of how much you respect yourself and how much we respect you and, in his case, how much his own managers value him.”

The veteran journalist questioned the continued public celebrations and honours being organised for Asare following Ghana’s participation in the FIFA World Cup hosted in North America.

“Because the Thanksgiving is enough,” Oti Adjei said, noting that Ghana returned from the tournament at the end of June before being eliminated by Colombia on July 2.

While acknowledging the significance of Asare’s performances, he criticised what he described as a seemingly endless cycle of gifts and public recognition.

“And while I agree that this was a seminal moment for Asare, what is it with this Thanksgiving and today this person has dashed him this, tomorrow, this person has dashed him that, following day he is there doing a Benjamin Asare Thanksgiving?”

Asare has received nationwide plaudits since returning from the World Cup, particularly after his performance against England attracted international praise.

His recognition has also come with significant rewards. Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku announced that Asare would receive a brand-new $38,000 JAC Motors vehicle after being named the Best Domestic Player in Ghana’s World Cup squad.

Real estate mogul Janet Fosu, popularly known as Mama Shilo, also gifted the goalkeeper a 100-by-140 plot of land in recognition of his defensive performances, including his historic clean sheet against England.

Oti Adjei warned that the continued attention could ultimately work against Asare.

“Look Asare is a brilliant footballer, he’s had a brilliant few years and it is all great but when you go on and on and on, you’re feeding into this that even you cannot believe where you are.”