Netherlands international Gini Wijnaldum has expressed his deep gratitude after meeting Ghana National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, at his residence in Accra.
Wijnaldum was deeply moved by the encounter and praised the Islamic leader for being a truly inspirational individual. He recognised the Chief Imam’s enormous respect and power, both within Ghana and outside of it.
“Very grateful to meet the incredibly inspiring 104-year-old Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the Chief Imam of Ghana and member of the National Peace Council,” the former Liverpool midfielder wrote on Twitter.
Very grateful to meet the incredibly inspiring 104 year old Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the Chief Imam of Ghana and member of the National Peace Council 🙏🏾🇬🇭#ghana pic.twitter.com/3xVO1XbkQ3
— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) July 3, 2023
Currently enjoying his summer holidays in Ghana, the AS Roma midfielder has been spotted at various locations, clearly relishing his time in the West African country.
The Champions League-winning midfielder has been here since late June with his national teammate Memphis Depay who has Ghanaian roots.
Wijnaldum shares a connection with Ghana through his former stepfather, who is Ghanaian. He was previously called Georginio Boateng.
“I want to put on record that I am now Georginio Wijnaldum, not Georginio Boateng, in fact, I have been known as George Wijnaldum for four years now,” the Dutchman said in a 2013 interview, as quoted by Goal.
“Boateng was the name of my former stepfather who is related to retired Dutch footballer of Ghanaian origin George Boateng.”
He added: “My stepfather gave his surname to me but after he divorced my mother I got the Boateng off my name and took my mother’s name Wijnaldum as my surname.”
