Ex-chairman of Ghana Athletics Association denies allegations

Accra, Aug. 13, GNA - The former Chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association, (GAA) Sandy Osei Agyeman has denied reports that he misled the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) in order to access grants from the international body.

Speaking to the GNA Sports in an interview, Osei Agyeman said he never told the global body about any Congress on his assumption to the position of the Chairman of the GAA, adding that the reports were meant to tarnish his hard won reputation both on the local and international scene.

According to Osei Agyeman his assumption to office as the Chairman of the GAA was on condition that he would organize a Congress for the election of a new executive body for the GAA after his term of office. Presenting documents to support his claim which he made available to the GNA Sports, an email from Pierre Weiss, acting General Secretary of IAAF to the GAA confirmed that Osei Agyeman was supposed to organise a Congress on completion of his term office.

He said the agreement for the Congress was arrived at after officials of the IAAF led by Lamine Diack and members of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) met with the GAA in Accra during the ANOCA Congress in 2005.

Osei Agyeman explained that his attempts to lead the GAA to organize a Congress last year was cancelled by Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, then Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports.

The former GAA Chairman, however, admitted an error in the local Federation's constitution that was sent to the IAAF.

He said the last paragraph of the constitution indicated that it was approved at Congress instead of indicating that it was approved by the GAA Board, adding that that should not constitute deceit since he has no such intention.

The former Chairman added that he would not in anyway benefit if Ghana was banned from the World Championship and wondered why his name has been dragged into the controversy.

Osei Agyeman also denied allegations that he misapplied funds of the Association saying all grants, sponsorship funds and government's funding are properly documented with all stakeholders having copies. He said there was no way he could have misapplied IAAF grants and other funds of the GAA since such funds have specific purposes and therefore could not be embezzled.

The former GAA Chairman he has also furnished the IAAF with details of how the funds were used and challenged people with doubts or proof of malfeasance to verify for themselves.