Pressure group replies Quansah on allegations of Government interference

Accra, Oct. 19, GNA - Alliance for Responsible Opposition, (AFRO) a pressure group, has dismissed allegations of Governmental interference by sports journalist Ebo Quansah in the affairs of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Quansah was said to have cited Governmental interference in the administration of the GFA in a letter addressed to the world soccer governing body, Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) few weeks ago with indications that its disciplinary rod will fall on the FA.

A statement signed by Lord Koranteng Hamah, Coordinator of AFRO copied to GNA Sports defended the invitation of the GFA to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) saying it is nowhere near governmental interference as proclaimed by Quansah in his much-publicized letter to FIFA.

"His insistence that the SFO has no right to investigate officers of the GFA for financial crimes is a scandal that demonstrates how monetary enticements, spiritual bankruptcy, lack of patriotic will and partisan political allegiance can enforce an arrogant and desperate determination to insulate officials of Ghana Football Association from public accountability.

It said Quansah's letter illustrates a mischievous intent to undermine the authority of the President and to ultimately defend corrupt practices within the GFA.

"Investigations by the Serious Fraud Office into the dealings of Ghana Football Association cannot constitute "harassment" as stated in Ebo Quansah's letter to FIFA.

"The request by the Serious Fraud Office to the president of the GFA, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi "to give information on issues concerning the 2010 World Cup participation" by the Black Stars is lawful and rightful in every way; and has the mandate to scrutinise the membership of the management committees of the national football teams.

"Government has the mandate to protect the public purse and to influence the management of national teams. Thus government has the right to investigate financial matters surrounding the 2006 and 2010 Black Stars World Cup participation."

The statement urged all to put aside partisan considerations and support the decision of state agencies to investigate the financial dealings of the GFA.

It said "The national teams are the properties of the people of Ghana. They are not the property of any private entity. They are supported by government funds. Grants by FIFA to our national teams are first and foremost public funds for the development of the sport.

AFRO asserts that Government has the legitimate right and interest to ensure sanity in sports administration and has the constitutional and popular mandate to promote sports for the cultural advancement of the people of Ghana and that the Ghanaian public through its taxes finances the construction of stadia, the sponsoring of national teams and the guaranteeing of basic conditions for sports development.

"Those forces that have recklessly dragged public officials to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on the least and most trivial suspicion of corruption must come out loudest and clearest against the indiscretions of Ebo Quansah and his backers. This is particularly necessary considering that Ebo Quansah is a key activist of the New Patriotic Party" (NPP).

AFRO calls on opposition party leaders to put aside partisan considerations and support the decision of state agencies to investigate the financial dealings of the Ghana Football Association.