Commonwealth Games scandal: CID should close down GOC office - Member

The President of the Ghana Olympics Committee, Ben Nunoo Mensah and the Chef-de-Maison of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Mr. Mohammed Sahnoon must be summoned by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service to answer questions on their roles in the visa racketeering scandal that rocked Ghana’s participation in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, a Board Member of the Ghana Swimmers Association Yakutatul Farida has said.

Ghana's participation in the 21st Commonwealth Games was hit with a visa racketeering scandal that has culminated in the suspension of the Deputy Sports Minister, Pius Hadzide, the Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority and the Director of the NSA, Robert Sarfo-Mensah.

Yakutatul Farida while commending the president for the swift action asserts that a restraining order must be placed on Ben Nunoo Mensah and Mohammed Sahnoon since their continued access to their offices could influence the results of the investigations.

“For me, I think H. E the President must be applauded for his relentless interest to cause the thorough investigation of any unfortunate situation that seek to undermine his government. A case in point was the "Cash for Seat" saga and other alleged malpractices.

“I cannot fathom why the CID has not closed down the office of the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah and the Chef-de-Maison, Mr. Mohammed Sahnoon, who are still enjoying access to their offices. Is their continuous access to their office and computers not going to interfere with investigations? For me, we should not allow any individual to temper with the investigation. Action needs to be taken on this most importantly”, excerpts of the statement read.

Below is the full statement

A release from the Presidency announced that the Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Agyeman has been suspended based on a preliminary investigation conducted into the circumstances that led to the arrest of some sixty (60) Ghanaians, who had allegedly attempted to enter Australia by false pretenses at the just ended 21st Commonwealth Games.

For me, I think H. E the President must be applauded for his relentless interest to cause the thorough investigation of any unfortunate situation that seek to undermine his government. A case in point was the "Cash for Seat" saga and other alleged malpractices.

While commending the President for his swiftness



1. It is my understanding that per their suspensions, the Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports, Director of National Sports Authority (NSA) and Board Chairman of NSA are to recuse themselves from interfering with the investigation.

2. Unlike the government appointees, I recognize the President of the Republic cannot suspend the GOC President and his assigns because of the seeming not-for-profit independence of the Committee. Like the GFA, the GOC reports to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and not to the Sports Ministry.

3. That said, I cannot fathom why the CID has not closed down on the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah and the Chef-de-Maison, Mr. Mohammed Sahnoon, who are still enjoying access to their offices. Is their continuous access to their office and computers not going to interfere with investigations? For me, we should not allow any individual to temper with the investigation. Action needs to be taken on this most importantly.

4. Suffice to note that, the GOC President appoints the Chef-de-Maison who is solely in-charge of accrediting athletes, officials and media personnel to the commonwealth games. For the avoidance of doubt, the GOC is solely in-charge of accrediting athletes, officials (including government officials) and media personnel to the commonwealth games. The emphasis is mine!

5. A video in circulation, a copy of which I have in my possession (copy attached) suggests that the GOC accredited 90 media personnel for the Olympics which Ghana presented 72 athletes. Interesting! Journalist accredited by the GOC were far more than the number of athletes who represented Ghana. In the video, Kenneth O. Adade, a staff of GOC and the Press Officer for the games, confirmed that after the window for registration was closed, the GOC pleaded with GOLDOC (local organizing committee in Australia) to give accreditation to some more media personnel.

6. A list of media personnel in circulation, a copy of which I have in my possession does not make the 90 number. I believe the heads of the various sports department of the media houses who were accredited must begin to speak on how fake names were added to their list. I am aware that the media personnel applied directly to GOLDOC and such applications are referred to the GOC through its Chef-de-Maison for validation and accreditation.

7.Media houses who also believe they have compelling evidence to suggest that some names were inserted into their original list must quickly submit such claims to the CID. After all, we want to know the truth. I still can't believe 60% of the accredited media personnel came from the Print and Online while the rest were with the TV and Radio (According to Kenneth Adade).

8. I have also seen a video of the Deputy General Secretary of the GOC, Rev. Richmond Quarcoo, who suggest that not even the President of Republic can ask the IOC to grant him access to the games. It can only be done by the GOC because in the wisdom of the IOC, they do not want to have anything to do with governments. Still wondering how deep the government officials mentioned were involved. Well, let us wait for the CID to help unraveling this. I wish the process could be fast-tracked.

9. In sum, Can the CID begin its investigations? After all, the Number 1 man of the land has shown so much interest in this matter. Can the CID deny the GOC President, Ben Nunoo Mensah and his Chef-de-Maison, Mohammed Sahnoon access to their offices and official computers?

The truth is all we want.

Signed: Yakutatul Farida Board Member, Ghana Swimming Association (Sports Federation under GOC)