As Kojo Bonsu demonstrates direct government interference at World Cup draw Despite qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Ghana is likely to suffer a great shock that will see the senior national football team, the Black Stars miss-out on the 2010 soccer fiesta.

The country faces a possible ban from all Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) organized competitions after embattled former football administrator; Kojo Bonsu approached officials of FIFA in the name of government wanting to know how much the country will earn for participating in the 2010 World Cup

The action of Kojo Bonsu who was in Cape-Town, South Africa during the draw with some government functionaries amounts to direct government interference in the running of football in Ghana, something that FIFA frowns on. Checks by this reporter has revealed that FIFA is set to officially write to the Ghana Football Association and government by the close of next week seeking official explanation and clarification on who controls football in the country after which a meeting will be summoned by FIFA executives to take a decision on Ghana.

It is time the government led by Professor John Evans Atta Mills comes out to clear the air since Kojo Bonsu claims to be working on behalf of the government. The silence of government on the actions of Kojo Bonsu does not arguer well for the nation.

Reports from Cape Town in South Africa indicates that on the morning of the draw, Kojo Bonsu presented himself to FIFA executives as an official from Ghana’s Sports ministry and demanded for accreditation which he was refused.

Upon his confrontation with FIFA’s international relations officer, Jerome Champagne and his request to know how much the government of Ghana will earn from the Black Stars participation in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa next June, indications are now clear that the embattled football administrator, Kojo Bonsu, now seeks Ghana’s ban from all FIFA organized competitions after presenting himself as an official from the Sports ministry. Kojo Bonsu had earlier told the FIFA official that government is spending almost $6 million to prepare the black stars for the World Cup tournament hence his quest to know how much the government will earn.

Ghana on Friday caused stir ahead of the World Cup draw on when two separate delegations arrived in Cape Town to represent the country.

The first delegation was made-up of Sports Minister Rashid Pelpuo, FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, his vice Fred Pappoe, General Secretary Kofi Nsiah, spokesperson Randy Abbey and Stars head Coach, Milovan Rajevac which was the official delegation for the draw.

The second delegation comprises of embattled Kojo Bonsu, acting CEO of the National Sports Council, Worlanyo Agra, CEO of Free Zones Board, Kojo Twum-Boafo, who also contested the Ayawaso West Wugon Paliamentary seat on the ticket of NDC and lost, Ben Nunoo Mensah from Castle, Hon. Ackah, Chairman of the Parliamentary select committee on Sports, Mr. Kwesi Pratt, managing editor of the insight newspaper, Henry Asante of GBC and official of Millennium Supporters Group (MUSHUGA).

The so called government delegation called on FIFA for Accreditation only to be told that Accreditations have already been sorted out with members of football associations.

Bonsu, who acted as the leader of the government delegation presented himself to FIFA’s international relations officer, Jerome Champagne as an official from Ghana’s Sports ministry and was in South Africa with his team of delegation to represent the country at the draw.

However, Mr. Bonsu was told in plain language that FIFA does not deal with government officials and was directed to contact officials of the Ghana Football Association since FIFA deals directly with its member associations and not government officials.

Baffled by Kojo Bonsu’s behavior, Jerome Champagne then met Ghana’s official delegation comprising Sports Minister Rashid Pelpuo, FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, his vice Fred Pappoe, General Secretary Kofi Nsiah and spokesperson Randy Abbey to inform them of Mr. Bonsu’s behavior.

Kojo Bonsu is reported to have distributed miniature flags in the colours of Ghana just to attract the attention of the media on Friday morning before the draw.

However, later investigations revealed that Kojo Bonsu and his group after the draw went on inspection tour in Cape Town upon invitation by the Mayor of Cape Town who had during the latter part of the draw managed to secure one invitation from the LOC for Bonsu.

Effort to reach officials of the Ghana Football Association and Kojo Bonsu in Cape Town were unsuccessful.

Kojo Bonsu who had contested for the GFA Presidency with Kwesi Nyantakyi in 2005 and lost massively caused a stir on November 23, 2009 when he called for the immediate formation of the public interest committee, one of the standing committees of the FA which is yet to be form.