'Corruption fight meaningless until Nyantakyi prosecuted' – Anas

Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has started an online campaign to collect signatures as part of processes to mount pressure on the Attorney General to prosecute the former president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi.

Fifa banned Mr Nyantakyi for life from all football-related activity in October 2018 following various violations of the governing body’s ethics code, including bribery and corruption, as captured on video by Anas and his Tiger Eye PI team.

Mr Nyantakyi, who was a former member of Fifa’s General Council, was caught on camera bagging several wads of dollars, which, according to Anas and his team, was a $65,000 bribe.

Apart from the life ban, Fifa also fined Mr Nyantakyi $498,000.

Despite his resignation from the GFA and life ban by Fifa, Mr Nyantakyi has not been prosecuted by the Ghanaian authorities, compelling the investigative journalist to start an online petition to that end.

In a post on social media about the petition, Anas said the “police have completed investigations into likely criminal misconduct by Mr Nyantakyi. They submitted their findings to the Attorney General last year. The Attorney General has not taken any action on the case till date.

“Please help us ask the Attorney General to move this case forward. Mr Nyantakyi should face criminal prosecution over some of his misconduct, which borders on criminality.

“We are sending letters, making calls, sending social messages to all government entities that can help us move this case to the next level. We are also reaching out to news media to help spread the word.

“If Nyantakyi is not prosecuted, our collective fight against corruption will be meaningless. It will also send a signal to many citizens that the law only deals with the poor, but the rich and powerful cannot be held responsible for their actions.

“Please sign this petition, take the actions requested and share with everyone you know to move this case forward. Thank You so much for your assistance in this urgent matter,” Anas said in a statement.