CK Akonnor has initiated arbitration proceedings at the Ghana FA Normalization Committee against Asante Kotoko over breaches of his employment contract as head coach of the club.
The ex-Ghana international, who was relieved of his head coaching duties in July, about nine months into his three-year contract, is accusing the club of material default which should be followed by compensation damages.
The decision had come just weeks after he led the Porcupines to secure a return to the Caf Champions League by winning the Normalization Special Cup Tier-One competition.
The George Amoako-led Kotoko management stated that the coach had been elevated to the position of technical director and appointed Norwegian Kjetil Zachariassen in his stead.
Akonnor rejected the new role insisting the decision amounts to unilateral termination of his appointment. Kotoko, on the other hand, also maintain their action was within the terms of their contract.
Speaking to Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM Friday, Prosper Yaw Ntow, the lawyer for CK Akonnor explained that per his client’s contract, the first step in resolving the issue is through a GFA arbitration and that they have written to the NC stating their reliefs.
“It is stated in the agreement with Asante Kotoko that if the contract is terminated midway in the manner that they have done, then there are certain obligations that they have to discharge. They have not discharged them, hence our case against them.
“There is nothing like ‘promotion’ or ‘reassignment’ in the contract between Kotoko and Akonnor. Whoever makes any contrary claim would not be speaking the truth…
“In the contract, both parties agreed to a dispute resolution procedure and that’s where we have started from,” the lawyer noted.
On Thursday, coach Akonnor submitted every property – official vehicle, apartment keys, and a technical report – in his custody to the club.
“Kotoko demanded their properties, reason CK Akonnor handed them over,” lawyer Ntow revealed.
“And [to us], it goes to confirm that indeed and in fact, they have terminated the contract,” he deduced.
