Ghana may be in danger of attracting the wrath of world football body, FIFA, following Government’s establishment of a Commission to inquire into events leading to the country’s shambolic performance at the 2014 World Cup.
The New Crusading Gide has in its possession a three-paragraph letter from FIFA, questioning the Ghana Football Association on the composition and competences of the Commission set up by Government.
The letter signed by Deputy General Secretary of FIFA, Markus Kattner read:
“We have learnt from media reports that the Presidency of the Republic of Ghana has appointed a Committee of Enquiry and Investigation into the Black Stars’ participation to the 2014 FIFA World cup in Brazil. The composition and the competences of the said Commission are unclear. Provided the reports are true we deem it important to clarify from the beginning the procedures and to ensure that the GFA can operate without interference as required by FIFA statutes. Under this circumstance we kindly ask you to provide us with a report at your earliest convenience”.
Recently, President John Dramani Mahama named a three-member Committee which included Appeal Court Judge, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, Sports Administrator, Moses Foh Amoaning and Kofi Anokye Darko to present a report on the Black Stars unexpected exit from the Mundial.
But days after the President’s announcement, newly appointed Minister for Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga also announced government’s decision to upgrade the Committee into a Commission, thus giving it powers to summon people to appear before it.
He said:
“I have monitored social media and media discussions since the Committee was set up. I had a meeting with the President and he has agreed that we should turn it into a Presidential Commission of Enquiry.”
As against caution from connoisseurs of the game on how dangerous it was for Government to meddle in the affairs of football, the Minister went ahead to Parliament to inform the House about the elevation of the three member Committee tasked to investigate happenings in the World Cup into a Presidential Commission of Enquiry.
To buttress his point, Ayariga also quoted Article 278 of the 1992 Constitution which empowers the President to appoint a Commission of Enquiry to investigate any matter he (President) deems necessary and suggested any attempt by Parliament to appoint a parallel investigative body will be counter-productive.
The Blacks Stars were knocked out of the completion in the group stages after a 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
Sub-section (g) of Article 13 of FIFA Statutes dealing with Members obligation states clearly that: “Members have an obligations to manage their affairs independently and ensure that their own affairs are not influenced by any third parties; to comply fully with all other duties arising from these Statutes and other regulations”.
