We’ll hunt down World Cup offenders if… – Justice Dzamefe

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating Ghana’s poor outing at the World Cup in Brazil has clarified that even though it was not set up to witch-hunt, it would not hesitate to give recommendations for offenders to be severely punished.

“If you are a witch we will hunt you,” Justice Senyo Dzamefe, the Chairman of the Commission, has assured in an interview with the GNA. According to him, “the Commission will not give recommendations outside the evidence available to it in its final report.”

The Commission’s investigations have so far revealed seeming corrupt practices by some of the officials who took government monies to ensure a successful participation at the tournament.

Justice Senyo Dzamefe said that their work is a fact-finding mission to set the records straight on the Black Stars’ participation in the quadrennial competition.

Before the commission rounds off its activities and submits its report on November 14, the three-man fact-finding body will from Tuesday, re-invite some witnesses following fresh evidence available to them.

According to Daily Graphic’s sources, witnesses who are to reappear include the former Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the GFA General Secretary, Emmanuel Gyimah and GFA Executive Committee member, George Afriyie.

The rest invited to testify include the World Cup campaign Project Co-ordinator, Fred Darko, and travel and tour agents, Sampson Deen and Ivan Bruce Cudjoe.

Another person expected to testify next week is the Director of Communications of GFA, Ibrahim Sannie Daara and two Black Stars Management Committee members, Yaw Boateng Gyan and Kwame Ofosu-Bamfo, popularly known as Sikkens. The Commission is touring some selected towns to solicit views from stakeholders in the Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo and Eastern Regions.

Participants included football administrators, referees, footballers, coaches, the media and a cross-section of football fans. Justice Dzamefe indicated that it was appropriate for the Commission to embark on a regional tour to ascertain the views of all those who play significant roles in matters relating to the country’s sports industry.

The Commission, he said, would be meeting the likes of Rashid Sumaila, Fatau Dauda and Stephen Adams on October 29, adding that arrangements are also being made for Kevin Prince Boateng, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari to appear before it.

Justice Dzamefe indicated that the Commission is yet to receive the full list of the management members who benefitted from bonuses paid to officials during the World Cup from the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

“We hope to get the full list before the close of our work”, he stated. Participants who appeared before the Commission came up with several suggestions including the need to scrap appearance fees for the Black Stars, reducing winning bonuses, funding of the other national teams, dissolving the Stars management team and among others.

The Executive Director of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe earlier suggested the immediate dissolution of the commission.

He was of the view that the startling revelations of massive corruption and mismanagement of funds by the organizers of the country’s participation in Brazil must be a strong basis for ending the commission’s work for prosecution to begin.