The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has constituted a 5-member committee to meet with the government in order to resolve the current football crisis in the country.
The committee, led by lawyer Kweku Eyiah, who is being hailed for rejecting a bribe in Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ investigative film on corruption in Ghana football, is also supposed to confer with the government to come up with reforms that will help to strengthen football in Ghana.
[contextly_sidebar id=”WjzIbRnedIcEnYNugD6R5zftXDIf10Ui”]According to a statement from the GFA, the decision was taken at the FA’s Executive Committee meeting held on Friday following the public viewing of Anas’ film, titled ‘Number12′.
The credibility of the Ghana Football Association, which manages football activities in the country has been dented by Anas’ exposé.
The video, among other things, captured top officials of the football association including its President at the time, Kwesi Nyantakyi taking bribes to influence various aspects of the game, including call-ups to the national team, the duration of playing time for some players and the selection of unfit players and referees to participate in games.
More than 100 referees were also caught on tape taking bribes to manipulate the outcome of games in a team’s favour.
Following the first screening of the video on Wednesday which attracted more than 4,000 persons, many Ghanaians called for a total overhaul of the GFA and the immediate resignation of the indicted officials including Kwesi Nyantakyi, who has since tendered in his resignation letter.
The government earlier on Thursday announced that it had taken steps to have the GFA dissolved over the matter.
The plan has since seen some opposition from a section of the public who have argued the GFA is an autonomous body and the government must not be seen to be interfering in its affairs.
The GFA, after its Executive Committee meeting is hopeful that the measures it has taken will help solve the current crisis and find a lasting solution to the rot in the game.
Other members of the committee set to meet the government are Benjamin Nab Eyison, Kurt Okraku (Spokesperson), Isaac Addo and Samuel Opoku Nti.
“A five member team comprising of Messrs Kweku Eyiah (Leader), Benjamin Nab Eyison, Kurt Okraku (Spokesperson), Isaac Addo and Samuel Opoku Nti has been tasked to meet Government for a resolution of the current impasse as well as draw up a program for lasting reforms,” the GFA’s statement said.
The FA has in the interim, slapped officials captured acting unprofessionally in the film with a temporary ban from all football-related activities with immediate effect.
It said a judicial process will be initiated to look into their cases.
The Football Association has assured the public that it will not interfere in the investigative processes and will cooperate with bodies looking into the matter to institute the necessary sanctions.
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By: Jonas Nyabor/citinewsroom.com/Ghana