Anas’ exposé: Govt to dissolve Ghana Football Association
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has initiated steps aimed at dissolving the Ghana Football Association (GFA), a statement issued by the Information Minister, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid Thursday evening has said.
This follows the exposé of corruption in Ghana football by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
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The President of the Ghana Football Association, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi was filmed collecting US$65,000 from 'investors' to influence the president and vice-president of Ghana to give the investors road contracts.
The dissolution of the GFA implies that the Ghana Premier League and all other activities of the FA have been suspended.
"...having regard to the widespread nature of the apparent rot involving top GFA officials, top NSA officials, match commissioners, football administrators and referees, Government has decided to take immediate steps to have the GFA dissolved," Dr Abdul-Hamid's statement said.
"Government will shortly, thereafter, announce provisional measures to govern football activity in the country, until a new body is duly formed; and Government will communicate these decisions to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), and engage with them on these developments to chart a way forward for Ghana football," the statement added.
It said government will see to it that the necessary reforms were urgently undertaken to sanitise football administration in Ghana.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Isaac Asiamah in a radio interview with Joy FM said the decision was taken after a meeting Thursday and that all who needed to be informed about the decision would be communicated to.
He said all officials and members of staff of the sports authority captured in the investigative documentary have also been interdicted and the police has been asked to investigate the matter.
Below is a copy of the press statement
PRESS RELEASE
GOVERNMENT TO TAKE STEPS TO DISSOLVE THE GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Government is shocked and outraged at the contents of the recently-aired video documentary, which captures the investigation conducted into football administration by the journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, titled “Number 12: When Misconduct and Greed become the Norm.”
The documentary exposes the gross mal-functioning of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), characterized by widespread fraud, corruption, and bribery.
As a result of the pervasive nature of the rot within GFA, Government has decided as follows:
1. the conduct of all officials of the GFA, together with that of the suspended Acting Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Robert Sarfo Mensah, shown in the documentary to be involved in questionable, potentially criminal acts, is, forthwith, referred to the Police for further investigation and appropriate action.
The Police are to take all such relevant measures as are necessary to ensure that the contents of the documentary are rapidly and thoroughly investigated;
2. having regard to the widespread nature of the apparent rot involving top GFA officials, top NSA officials, match commissioners, football administrators and referees, Government has decided to take immediate steps to have the GFA dissolved.
Government will shortly, thereafter, announce provisional measures to govern football activity in the country, until a new body is duly formed; and
3. Government will communicate these decisions to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), and engage with them on these developments to chart a way forward for Ghana football.
Government will see to it that the necessary reforms are urgently undertaken to sanitise football administration in the country.