The General Manager of Techiman Eleven Wonders, Mr. Takyi Arhin has labelled the Interim Committee set up by the Government of Ghana to manage football in the country as ‘square pecks in a round hole.’
Speaking to Ohene Bampoe–Brenya on Happy FM‘s Anopa Bosuo Sports, the outspoken football administrator said he has no confidence in the reforms expected to be offered by the new committee to revive football in the country.
“This Interim Committee set up by government is dead on arrival. They already have a bad image. It is a blue kiosk committee to me,” he said.
On Wednesday….(please insert date)…, the Government of Ghana appointed a five-member Interim Management Committee headed by Dr. Kofi Amoah to oversee the restructuring of Ghana Football.
Other members of the committee include, Ex-Black Stars players Abedi Pele, Rev. Osei Kofi, GHALCA (please give full meaning of GHALCA for the sake of first time readers) boss Kudjoe Fianoo and Lawyer/ Female Sports Journalist Ms. Eva Okeyere.
Additionally, Peace FM’s Sports Editor and Owner/Editor of the ‘Ghana Sports Newspaper’ Dan Kwaku Yeboah will serve as the Committee’s Spokesperson.
The decision to form an interim team to oversee a reformation of Ghana Football follows the announcement by government regarding plans on using all the legal processes available to dissolve the current Ghana Football Association (GFA).
According to Mr. Arhin, the selected members of the committee have little knowledge about football and could affect decisions.
“Dr. Kofi Amoah said in 2004 that he has little knowledge in football and hence withdrawn from the GFA presidential race giving way to the late Ben Koffie to go unopposed. I don’t understand why he is part of the committee. He has no business being there. I don’t even want to talk about Eva Okyere. Was she not part of the Disciplinary committee of the FA which always had their verdict wrong? She is a square pegs in a round hole,” he added.
He suggested Tony Baffoe as the best former player to have been on the committee rather than Rev. Osei Kofi. “How can Abedi Pele be part of this committee? Someone who was once found in a match fixing scandal? Abedi Pele is another corrupt person and shouldn’t be part at all,” he stated.
He reiterated that, “Working with these people will be difficult if we want to revive Ghana’s Football. It is clear Hon. Isaac Asiamah is not on top of issues. The least said about him, the better. Football people won’t agree to this arrangement by the government.
Government’s resolution to literally dismantle the current structure of the GFA comes on the back of the explosive exposé carried out by Investigative Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which was premiered in Accra on June 6.
The exposé, which was done over a two-year span, captured several match officials receiving bribes to compromise Ghana Premiere League games. It also revealed the deep-seated rot and corruption at the FA when it comes to player selection into the various national teams, and how sponsorship deals for the league and national teams are dubiously negotiated.
Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi who was the most high-profile personality caught in the exposé has since resigned as GFA President, and has also relinquish his position as CAF Vice President, WAFA Zone B President and FIFA Executive Council Member. He is also currently serving a 90- day suspension by FIFA pending investigations into his conduct which may be in breach of the FIFA code of ethics.
With Nyantakyi gone, government is keen on cleaning up the mess, and will heavily involve ex-players in its attempts to restore the integrity of Ghana Football.
By: Emmanuel Owusu Boadi
