The acting General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Emmanuel Gyimah has revealed that the Black Stars management team members received over $500,000 as appearance fees, providing two “ghost names” to justify the monies received.
His testimony sharply contradicts that of the President of GFA, Kwesi Nyantakyi who said at a press conference, after the 2014 World Cup Tournament that management committee members did not benefit from any bonuses.
Mr Emmanuel Gyimah who appeared before the Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, said that a total of US$577,500 was paid to seven (7) members of the management team even though only five (5) went to the tournament. One of the names provided as a management member was Jordan Anagblah a former vice-president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) who died about two years ago.
Mr Gyimah added that the management members were also paid winning bonuses and per diem just like the Black Star players.
When asked by Justice Dzamefe whether the management team members should be paid appearance fees, Mr Gyimah argued that the team members play a pivotal role for the Black Stars team and that they deserve it.
The following ensued between Mr Gyimah and the Commission:
Commission: By the definition of appearance fee that I understand, correct me if am wrong, that appearance fee is paid for one appearing for an activity. If you divided the 577 by 82,500 you have seven and I’m asking how many people appeared for the event and am asking you that how many people appeared for the activity.
Gyimah: In terms of the management my lord?
Commission: Yes. Am not against the appearance fee but if it has to be paid it has to be paid.
Gyimah: The management members?
Commission: How many? Mr Gyimah lets progress, give us the numbers and let’s progress.
Gyimah: There were five management members there.
Commission: Five management members appearing for the activity?
Gyiamah: Yes my lord.
Commission: And you took money for seven (7) management members?
Gyimah: Yes my lord.
