As He Forms Illegal Committees Ahead Of GOC Congress

But Committee Of Presidents Say “Lie-Lie”

Investigative Desk Report

Even before the much-awaited Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) congress slated for 31st October, 2011 per ultimatum given by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could come off, the beleaguered GOC President, Mr. Benson T. Baba has been caught trying to skew proceedings in his favour.

The IOC lifted its ban on Ghana after imposing it, as result of impasse that engulfed the GOC in its General Assembly in 2009, paving way for congress to elect new crop of committee members.

Having spent over-13 years at post, including overseeing the most tumultuous years of the committee as its President (though defeated at congress), Mr. B. T. Baba following his total disrespect for the GOC’s constitution, is once again scheming to set the committee ablaze.

Much abreast with the GOC constitution but with seemingly avowed position not to make the committee function to the maximum benefit of the nation’s sports men and women, Mr. B. T. Baba, without consulting the Committee of Presidents (made of the various presidents of Olympic Associations) has set-up some sub-committees made up of defunct Chairmen of National Federations to discuss modalities for the forthcoming congress, whose legal basis cannot be determined. According to a document sighted by the Informer, even though Article 12.4 of the GOC constitution empowers the GOC to set up sub-committees as it deems it fit, the power to do so is not the preserve of any one single individual like B.T. Baba is trying to make his colleagues believe.

By Article 3 of the GOC constitution, the power to execute the above-mentioned function is not the prerogative of the Executive Committee, but the GOC in entirety: And this is what has necessitated the Committee of Presidents to write to Mr. Baba, copied Hon. Minister of Youth & Sports, Clement Kofi Humado, the IOC President, Jacques Rogge, Pere Miro, Director, IOC International Relations; demanding that, with immediate effect, he dissolves the unconstitutional sub-committees he’s set up to vet contesting candidates, and as well see to the nomination of delegates for the upcoming congress.

Per the letter incepted, the Presidents of National Federations, having been democratically elected under L.I. 1988 and recognized by International Federations apart from being actual GOC members, have challenged the mandate of B.T. Baba in circumventing the process to his advantage.

According to them, there had been no circumstance that a vetting committee has been set up for GOC elections and, nominations of delegates were always done on the floor of congress; and that that is why it is explicit that B.T. Baba might have something untoward against certain personalities, who always try to whip him in line.

They also hold the view that, even the way and manner proceedings ahead of congress have been shrouded in secrecy by B.T Baba and his group, defeats the Olympic spirit of fair play.

The group by its letter calls on Mr. Baba to call an extraordinary congress in accordance with the Olympic Charter within 10 days from now (reference Article 31 of the GOC constitution and Rule 18.1 of the Olympic Charter).

They demand that B.T. Baba call a meeting between the Executive Board of the GOC and the Committee of Presidents, who constitute the legitimate GOC membership, so as to discuss the process leading up to congress, and immediately set a date for the elective congress and invite the IOC to take up oversight and supervision of the whole process.

However, this paper’s “leaks” at the GOC reveal that one Frank Appiah, a close pal and a Vice President to B.T. Baba, is part of the cartel trying to stampede the due process, with regards to the forthcoming congress to be held in October this year. It would be recalled that, the IOC President, Jacques Rogge, personally wrote to B.T. Baba on August 26, 2011 with a strong warning to organize congress, not later than 31 October 2011, so Ghana can participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

As part of his directive, he demands from B.T. Baba to organize the Elective General Assembly within this timeframe and to make sure, particularly, that the National Sports Federations and their representatives that will participate in the NOC General Assembly are those that are duly recognized by their respective International Federations.

It is based on the above words from the IOC President, that we find it disheartening and total disrespectful towards authorities and the GOC constitution that B. T. Baba is still working with persons like Ibrahim Issah, Solomon Ofei Darko, Sandy Osei Agyemang, Jeffrey Abiesi and Clifford Aboagye, all of whom have lost their respective position in the National Sports Federations, and are not members of the Committee of Presidents.

By the facts available, we are calling on the appropriate authorities and agencies to quickly intervene, so B.T. Baba and his gang do not destroy the chances of Ghana and that of our sports men and women, as far as Olympic Games are concerned.