#12: Clear your name – NDC to Akufo-Addo

The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to open himself up for investigations to clear his name with regards to the Number 12 undercover documentary by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which exposed massive corruption in Ghana football.

Former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kwesi Nyantakyi who has been banned for life from all football-related activities by FIFA after the world football governing body found him guilty of bribery and corruption had mentioned Nana Akufo-Addo’s name in his dealings.

It is recalled Mr Nyantakyi was captured on video asking the undercover journalist who had posed as a businessman to give him $8 million to bribe the president and his Vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

He later in a letter apologised to the president for his indiscretion.

“I hereby apologise unreservedly to the father of the nation, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, H.E. the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State for indiscretion in associating them with the private conversations on the video,” Mr Nyantakyi noted in a statement on Friday 8 June 2018.

According to him, he “committed series of errors of indiscretion” in “private discussions I had with ‘scammers’ who deceived me into thinking they were genuine persons interested in investing in our country”.

“I wish to clarify that at no time prior to or subsequent to any deliberations on the video did I consult, contact or inform any government official about discussions on the video. I take sole and personal responsibility for the proceedings on the video.”

Despite distancing the president from his questionable dealings, the NDC in a statement said it is not satisfied with the investigations done by the CID with regards to the alleged bribe Mr Nyantakyi was supposed to have given to the president.

“We are appalled, that unlike FIFA, the government of Ghana has made little effort to look into the matter with a view to bringing culpable officials to book, despite available evidence.

“We find as completely inadequate, the purported investigation by the Police CID whose conduct has served to compromise any outcome.

“We urge President Akufo-Addo to open himself up for transparent and credible investigations by an independent body to clear his name in the said matter,” the statement signed by National Organiser of the NDC, Mr Kofi Adams said.



Below is the full statement

National Democratic Congress Statement on FIFA's Lifetime Ban of Kwasi Nyantakyi

The National Democratic Congress has taken note of FIFA’s lifetime ban imposed on Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi, the former President of the Ghana Football Association and a close confidant of President Akuffo-Addo.

This lifetime ban is the result of painstaking investigations conducted by the investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which exposed corruption and bribery involving senior Ghana Football Association officials.

FIFA's decision to ban Mr. Nyantakyi after months of rigorous investigations raises serious questions about the involvement of President Akuffo-Addo in the bribery scandal; and also brings to the fore, once again, the need for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to inform Ghanaians about the status of their investigations into this scandal which has tarnished the image of Ghanaians and Ghana.

It would be recalled that Mr. Nyantakyi was caught on video revealing very worrying corrupt practices and in the process implicated the President of the Republic, H. E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo as the head of a bribe collection syndicate at the Presidency.

More pointedly, Mr. Nyantakyi was seen in the said tape, arranging for the payment of $ 5 million to the President and similar amounts for several top government officials, in order to facilitate the award of juicy contracts to supposed investors.

Mr. Nyantakyi also suggested in the said video, that such acts have made the President amenable to his influence.

We are appalled, that unlike FIFA, the government of Ghana has made little effort to look into the matter with a view to bringing culpable officials to book, despite available evidence.

We find as completely inadequate, the purported investigation by the Police CID whose conduct has served to compromise any outcome.

We urge President Akufo-Addo to open himself up for transparent and credible investigations by an independent body to clear his name in the said matter.

We expect that government will take a cue from FIFA’s firm action and take steps to put this matter to rest in a manner that restores dignity and confidence in the integrity of the Presidency and our football as a whole.



Signed,

Kofi Adams

(National Organiser)

30th October, 2018