The government is taking steps to dissolve the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
This follows investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ damning exposé on football.
In a statement signed by Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, government said it is “shocked and outraged” by the contents of the exposé which was premiered at the AICC on Wednesday.
“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,” the statement said.
The extent of corruption in the Anas’ #Number12 documentary has left many Ghanaians stunned.
Several high-ranking members in the GFA, including its President Kwesi Nyantakyi, have been implicated in acts of corruption.
The investigative journalist caught many Ghanaian FA officials and referees in alleged match-fixing deals.
Top football administrators were also seen taking money to influence call-ups for players into the national team and more playing time.
Notably, Eddie Doku, the Greater Accra Regional FA boss, was caught on tape allegedly accepting a bribe to influence game times for a player in the Black Stars Team B.
Involvement of MPs
Two legislators; Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong and Lawra MP, Anthony Karbo, were also seriously tainted by the revelations.
In the video, Kwesi Nyantakyi alleged that Anthony Karbo was his middleman to get potential investors to the presidency.
Anthony Karbo, also the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways was invited by the CID and interrogated on Monday, May 28, 2018.
There is also the suggestion from Anthony Karbo that Kennedy Agyapong was given control of the Ministry of Transport as a reward.
This is because of the controversial MP’s campaign contributions to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Kwesi Nyantakyi is also heard telling undercover reporters that the current Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, was the Assin Central MP’s pick.
“So, he [Karbo] mentioned that they wanted to make him [Kennedy Agyapong] a minister because of the contribution he made to the campaign. [Kennedy Agyapong] says he cannot be a minister because he is not a disciplined person to be a minister. But they [the government] gave him a ministry. They created a ministry and gave it to him, and he nominated somebody as the minister. Yes, Ministry of Transport.”
Following these revelations, longtime critic of the GFA and Odododiodio MP, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye called for the government to dissolve the entire hierarchy of the GFA.
He views this as the only solution following the rot uncovered.
Parliamentary probe
Parliament will set up a select committee to investigate the corruption claims.
The official motion was filed by the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, and seconded by Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
The members of the committee will be decided on tomorrow [Friday].
The nominated Minority members of the committee are Yilo Krobo MP, Magnus Amoatey, Kumbungu MP, Ras Mubarak and Builsa North MP, James Agalga.
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By: citinewsroom.com/Ghana
