“Number 12” Blues! FIFA, Sports Ministry Meeting On Ice!

A scheduled meeting between the government of Ghana and officials from FIFA in Accra today has been postponed indefinitely, the New Crusading Guide has learnt.

Officials from FIFA were expected in Ghana yesterday, June 21, ahead of a meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah to discuss the way forward for football in the country following government’s decision to dissolve the Ghana Football Association.

The meeting between the two parties became necessary after alleged corruption on the part of FA officials including its former President, Kwesi Nyantakyi which emerged from the exposé by ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The embattled former GFA boss was seen and heard in the investigative piece titled “Number 12” describing how to make money from a proposed sponsorship deal from a supposed investor.

He also boasted of his relationship with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, suggesting the president and his vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, were susceptible to bribery, and that the two could be influenced with $5 million and $3 million respectively.

Nyantakyi is currently being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service over a charge of defrauding by false pretense.

Mr. Elvis Adjei-Baah, head of Public Relations at the Ministry of Youth and Sports confirmed the postponement in an interview with GNA Sports.

“We have written to them requesting for a later date for the meeting so we satisfy all internal factors.

“Government wants to exhaust all avenues and due process must be followed before the said meeting,” he added.

The meeting between both parties was scheduled for Friday 22nd June, with a three man delegation scheduled to arrive on Thursday, June 21.

The meeting was to discuss the current impasse that has engulfed the GFA after the airing of a documentary on bribery and corruption in Ghana Football.

The government is currently in the process of dissolving the GFA, but FIFA rules oblige member associations to manage their own affairs without any government interference.