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Sports News of Friday, 19 January 2018

Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

Akufo-Addo tasks Sports Minister to consider implementation of Dzamefe report

President Akufo-Addo play videoPresident Akufo-Addo

The President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has tasked the Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah to take a look at the Brazil 2014 World Cup report and consider the implementation of its recommendations.

In response to a question posed at yesterday’s interaction with the media at the Flagstaff House in Accra, the President indicated that he has not set eyes on the White Paper since he assumed office.

The response has set tongues wagging among sports stakeholders considering the time and resources put in the formation of the committee to get heads to roll following events that marred Ghana’s appearance at the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The President said he has forgotten about the White Paper and expect the Minister of Youth and Sports to see to the implementation of recommendations in the report.

The Commission of Enquiry, chaired by Justice Senyo Dzamefe, was set by President John Mahama to ascertain the reasons behind Ghana’s abysmal performance and establish facts behind incidents of player apathy and assault cases.

That left some key players, notably Sulley Ali Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng being handed lifetime bans from the Black Stars with government drafting a White Paper on it.

“To be honest, I’ve forgotten about the 2014 White Paper. But I have no doubt that my Minister of Sports is fully up to it and will advise in due course what should be the reaction of government to it,” he stated.

Implementation of the government White Paper became one of the thorny issues at the vetting of Mr. Asiamah to which he pledged to consider on assumption of office as the substantive Minister of Youth and Sports.

Sadly, no action has been taken after a year in office and the President’s latest comment would stir debates over its implementation.