Statement In Parliament By Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Minister For Youth And Sports, On The Formation Of A 3 Member Committee Of Inquiry Into Ghana’s Black Stars’ Participation In The 2014 Fifa Football Tournament In Brazil And Matters Arising

9th July, 2014

Rt. Hon. Speaker,

Thank you for indulging me to make a statement on the formation of a Three Member Ministerial Committee to review the organization of Ghana Black Stars’ participation in the 2014 Brazil FIFA tournament and the performance of the team in Brazil and matters arising thereafter.

Ghana qualified to participate in the 2014 FIFA football tournament in Brazil. The main institutions responsible for the organization of Ghana’s participation included Ghana’s national football team the Black Stars, Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Ghana started its preparation almost immediately after we qualified. It was the third time we were qualifying for the tournament. We had performed creditably in the earlier tournaments even though as new entrants into it.

Whilst in Brazil, there were reports of problems within the camp of the Black Stars, issues regarding the management of the finances of the team and discipline among the players. We received reports of the suspension of some of the members of the team and alleged cases of assault. The conduct of the members of the team and the managers of Ghana’s participation attracted negative media attention globally.

Ultimately when Ghana’s Black Stars met their Portuguese counterparts in their final match of the first round they were defeated by 2 goals to1 and thus got eliminated from the first round of the tournament. The team has since returned home from Brazil.

Immediately after the match with Portugal, President John Dramani Mahama granted a press interview from Malabo during which he promised a review of what happened in relation to Ghana’s participation in the tournament. This commitment was widely publicized by the local and international media.

Pursuant to President John Dramani Mahama’s directive a Committee has been set up to review Ghana’s participation and unexpected early exit from the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament in Brazil.

The Committee is made up of three (3) members.

The members of the Committee include;
(1) Justice Senyo Dzamefe (Justice of the Court of Appeal),
(2) Mr. Moses Foh Amoaning, (lawyer and sports administrator), and
(3) Mr. Kofi Anokye Owusu Darko, (banker and sports enthusiast).

The terms of reference of the Committee are;

a. To inquire into matters relating to Ghana’s Black Stars team’s preparation for the tournament and possible lapses therein which might have caused their early exit from the tournament;

b. To inquire into matters relating to the management of the Ghana Black Stars team and events in their camp during the tournament;

c. To inquire into matters relating to Ghana’s treatment of Ghanaian football fans who where sent to support the Black Stars by the Ministry of Youth and Sports;

d. Advice government on the financing of activities of the Senior National Team and other national teams; and

e. To inquire into all other related matters of public interest concerning the organization of Ghana’s Black Stars’ participation in the tournament.


This Ministerial Committee will be directed to conclude its work within 30 days of their inauguration and present their report to me.


Government will act on the recommendations of the Committee. Government believes that a forward-looking inquiry will expose lapses to engender reforms to improve the organization of Ghana’s participation in future football tournaments.

We believe that all stakeholders will cooperate with the Committee. The President of the GFA has already welcomed the inquiry. We have no doubt that FIFA will not have objections to participating nations reviewing and inquiring into their poor performance with a view to carrying out reforms that will improve their national teams. Stronger teams will ensure more exciting FIFA tournaments.




HON MAHAMA AYARIGA (MP)
MINISTER