Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Kumasi Asante Kotoko's life patron, has declared his commitment to pay the club the remaining balance of its debt.
The club's debt stock, which is made up of unpaid salary for players and officials of the club as well as other items, presently stands at over GH3 million, according to information acquired by Mydaily Sports.
It was discussed at the Asantehene's meeting with former footballers and a group of supporters on Friday at the Manhyia Palace.
The negotiations in the Manhyia Palace came after the management and board of the club, led by Dr. Kwame Kyei, were dissolved because their terms had come to an end.
The discussion covered a range of urgent topics and disclosed some critical facts in an effort to steer the club in a new direction.
Asante Kotoko would need more than GH5 million to successfully administer the club, to make it easier to pay off all outstanding debts, and to support recruiting efforts.
Also, it was established that the Kotoko players had not received payment for five months, underscoring the dire financial condition.
In addition, it was revealed that the club owes Nana Yaw Amponsah, its former CEO, almost GH200,000 in unpaid salaries.
Asantehene urged the newly appointed IMC (Interim Management Committee) to move quickly with season-long planning since other teams have already begun hiring new players and kicking off preseason activities.
James Kwesi Appiah, a former coach for Ghana, has acknowledged the difficulties Asante Kotoko would have as they go through a transitional time before the season.
The former club coach is one of a four-person Interim Management Committee (IMC) that the Asantehene designated to manage the club's operations, including assembling a competitive team for the forthcoming season that will begin in September.
Kotoko is now run by Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awua, Kwesi Appiah, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, who serves as the club's head coach, and Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi, a member of the IMC. Kotoko currently lacks a board of directors or management.
Kwesi Appiah admitted in an interview that the club will not have it easy in the forthcoming season.
The season won't be easy for Kotoko, but once we have a capable coach, he'll look at the players who are departing and then seek out new recruits to replace them, according to Appiah.
He emphasized the value of bringing on fresh talent to strengthen the team.
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