The Government of Ghana has dissolved the Ghana Football Association following corrupt activities exposed in a video by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
A statement by Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid on Thursday stated that government is “shocked and outraged at the contents” in the investigative piece.
The statement added that “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.”
The secret filming that saw the President of Ghana Football Association Kwesi Nyantakyi and many other crucial football officials taking bribes has angered many Ghanaians, with football lovers asking for the resignation of the GFA boss.
Mr. Nyantakyi is currently on a police enquiry bail after he used the name of President Akufo-Addo fraudulently in the Anas video.
Below is the full statement
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), Robed 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 been 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.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
