Former Ghana international Asamoah Gyan has expressed gratitude to Ghanaian lawmakers, who celebrated him last week for his enormous contribution to Ghana football and sports development.
Gyan who paid a working visit to the Majority Chief Whip in Parliament, Frank Annor-Dompreh, on Monday (26 June) told the media that, “as a Ghanaian and for all that I have done for this country now I will say my heart is at peace.”
Annor-Dompreh praised Gyan and asked for a national monument in his honour.
Humbled with gesture
Baby Jet, as he is affectionately called, said he was humbled by the recognition of Annor-Dompreh.
“Honestly, I was very honoured to hear what went on in Parliament. For me honestly, I haven’t witnessed something like this before. I didn’t expect it and I felt some way.
“Since childhood till now, I have never seen Parliament discuss a player before so I feel very honoured and appreciative,” the former Black Stars forward said.
The 37-year-old former Sunderland arrow head said he has been disrespected on several occasions despite his dedication to mother Ghana.
“There was a lot of disrespect. Sometimes I go on social media and a lot of disrespect and I feel like I am one of those guys who put Ghana on the map.
“The masses can also confirm. But seeing what went on in Parliament, I’m now beginning to understand and feel appreciated,” Gyan said.
Celebrating more heroes
Annor-Dompreh added that there is the need to celebrate heroes like Gyan who have contributed to Ghana’s feats.
He said: “I feel we can do better, whatever we do to him or for him will set the tone and going into the future, what we should do to our heroes as a nation. And as the saying goes, ‘a nation that doesn’t celebrate its heroes is not worth dying for.’ I am particularly elated that we set the tone and we got almost the entire house agreeing to what I suggested.”
“If you go to England, the way they celebrate David Beckham, you will be amazed. So, I think not just the personality of Asamoah Gyan but our traits and the tendency for us to also celebrate people who have sacrificed for our country.”
Reporting by Andy Sepah in Accra
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