How dissolution of GFA will affect Ghana football

Following the premiere of Anas’ #Number12 documentary, which revealed widespread corruption within Ghana football, conversations on mainstream and social media have mainly been about the future of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

While some Ghanaians have called solely for the head of the GFA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, who is the biggest football name implicated in the exposé, others, including former Sports Minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, have called for a more radical overhaul of Ghana football’s governing body.

The latter’s wish appears to have been granted after a “shocked and outraged” government announced that it was taking steps to dissolve the GFA.

Questions are now being asked about the possible ramifications of the government’s decision given world football governing body, FIFA’s zero-tolerance for government interference in football federations.

In 2014, FIFA suspended Nigeria from all forms of international football amid allegations of government interference.

The Nigerian Sports Ministry, at the time, had dissolved the country’s Football Federation and replaced it with a sole administrator.

In 2017, FIFA suspended the Football Associations of Mali, Sudan and Belize, claiming government interference in those FAs.

So how could the dissolution of the GFA affect football in the country?

A football association would not exist meaning that all positions held internationally would be lost. So Nyantakyi’s FIFA Council role will be taken away.

An interim body will have to be set up to run football pending a decision from FIFA on the way forward.

Since FIFA frowns on all governmental interference, the most likely action will be a ban as per FIFA regulations. The most recent example is Sudan where Mutaseen Gaafar Serelkhtim was removed by the Sudanese Police. When he was reinstated, FIFA lifted the ban.

The local league will most likely to be put on hold awaiting decisions to be taken by an interim management body and FIFA. In addition, clubs who are in international tournaments will be kicked out. Aduana is at risk as it is currently in the CAF Confederation Cup.

National teams will not be allowed to take part in international competitions. Ghana’s Black Maidens and Princesses are preparing to take part in the Women’s U17 and U20 World Cup tournaments this year. The Black Queens will also lose their hosting rights for the of the 2018 Women’s AFCON. The ban will also freeze Ghana’s FIFA ranking.

Ghana football shaken to the core

The exposé roped in political figures, referees and officials of both the GFA and the National Sports Authority.

Some high profile figures who were named by GFA boss Nyantakyi include Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Deputy Roads Minister, Anthony Karbo, and MP for Assin Central and Anas’ biggest critic over the last few days, Kennedy Agyapong.

In the video, Nyantakyi, in an interaction with persons he believed to be investors, quoted several sums of money to be given to those political figures and himself in order to facilitate the deal.

There were also a number of cases of referees being bribed to take decisions which would sway Ghana Premier League games in favour of one side.