Gov’t Stops GFA Liquidation

The government is considering the reversal of all processes leading to the liquidation of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

This follows a meeting between the government and FIFA officials resulting in the parties resolve to work closely to eradicate corruption, malfeasance and other associated criminal conduct from the administration of football in Ghana.

The high powered-delegation interaction yesterday comprising among others the Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minister for Information designate, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (MP), the Deputy-Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame also saw the parties resolving to “establish a joint task force to create proper disciplinary, governance and auditing mechanisms as well as ensure that persons who are found culpable are punished in accordance with Ghanaian domestic laws and FIFA statutes.”

As part of the agreement, FIFA upon consultation with government and CAF shall establish a normalization committee to replace the Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association.

In consultation with government and CAF, FIFA shall appoint persons with integrity and competence to constitute the membership of the normalization committee.

The meeting comes in the wake of threats by FIFA to ban the local football governing body if the state failed to drop all its processes to liquidate the GFA by August 27.

According to the Bureau of the Council of FIFA,, the petition introduced by the Attorney General to the High Court to start the liquidation process of the GFA constitutes an undue influence in the affairs of the GFA in contravention of art. 14 par. 1 i) and art. 19 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes.

FIFA in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Fatima Samoura, under said the Bureau based on art. 16 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes decided on August 11, 2018 that if the petition to start the liquidation process of the GFA is not withdrawn by Monday, August 27, 2018 at 12hOO (CET), the GFA will be suspended with immediate effect.

“The suspension would be Iifted only once the above-mentioned petition is withdrawn and FIFA is given written proof thereof. In accordance with art‘ 16 per, 3 of the FIFA Statutes, if the GFA were to be suspended, it may not exercise any of its membership rights. Furthermore, other member associations could not entertain Sporting contact with the GFA” it warned.

The FIFA statement indicated that to date, the scope of the investigations into the allegations of widespread match-fixing and corruption within the GFA remains unclear.

The government through the A-G dashed to court following an investigative piece by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas into wide spread corrupt practices in Ghana’s football governing association.

By: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson