Legendary Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan hosted a star-studded event on Saturday night to launch his book ‘LeGyandary’, which details his life and illustrious football career.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, MPs, ministers, diplomats, business leaders, a number of former and current footballers in the country and fans of the former Black Stars captain attended the launch, which took place at the lavish Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
The President, who was the guest of honor at the event, officially launched the book.
An emotional Gyan expressed his gratitude for the support he received while writing the memoir and during the launch.
“I did not expect this level of appreciation. I am overwhelmed with the love shown,” he said.
Gyan was particularly enthusiastic in his praise for his brother Baffour Gyan, whom he called “the key to his success”.
“When I started, no one knew who Asamoah Gyan was. I couldn’t have done it without my brother’s support. He is the one behind my success,” Asamoah Gyan added.
Furthermore, the former Sunderland man has expressed his desire for future generations to be inspired by his experiences, which are detailed in ‘LeGyandary’.
Speaking on behalf of the President, Minister of Tourism Dr Ibrahim Awal urged Asamoah Gyan to “use his experiences to promote Ghana” and appointed him as an ambassador for the government’s “Beyond Return” programme.
“It is important to venerate the dead, but it is even more important to celebrate the living,” he added while congratulating Gyan on his esteemed career.
The football delegation to the event was led by Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku, who described Gyan as “uniquely unique” and praised him for his service to the country.
“Thank you for your service and the life you brought to Ghana. Baby Jet has, at all times, made sacrifices to make our country great and strong,” he said.
“You have brought life and hope to people. Being a legend is not easy and maintaining that legendary status is also difficult. Baby Jet has [shown us the way].”
After the launch, special editions of the books were auctioned off.
The first two copies were purchased for GHS 100,000 each by event chairman Ernest Ofori Sarpong and Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central.
Abedi Pele, Emmanuel Adebayor, El Hadji Diouf, Stephen Appiah, Samuel Osei Kuffour and Anthony Baffoe were among the African football stars present.
