Commonwealth Scandal: Blame corrupt journalists not Ghana Olympics Committee - Analyst

Sports Analyst and Hearts of Oak fan, Maxwell Asabre reckons it will be unfair to declare the Ghana Olympic Committee as culprits in the visa racketeering scandal that rocked Ghana’s participation in the 21st Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia.

The GOC has come under severe backlash following the deportation of some Ghanaians who tried to gain entry into Australia under the pretext of being journalists and Maxwell Asabre believes the critics are not treating the issue with the objectivity and fairness it requires.

Maxwell Asabre alleged on Accra-based Happy FM that some journalists must be held accountable for engaging in what he described as ‘corrupt acts”.

“In spite of all this, If what I have told you is true then I think that Ghanaians, especially the media have been very unfair to the GOC. They have been unfair to the GOC and should apologise to them. The two people who have been indicted are not staff of the GOC so why do you blame them? There are some journalists in this country who claim to be holier than thou and tag politicians and sports administrators as corrupt are all over the place disgracing themselves. For now I will not mention the name of any journalist but when time is due we will see those behind the scandal, Maxwell Asabre alleged.

The visa racketeering scandal that rocked Team Ghana in Gold Coast has resulted in the suspension of several high profile government appointees including the Director of the NSA, Robert Sarfo Mensah, the NSA Board Chairperson, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang and the Deputy Minister Pius Enam Hadzide.

The Ghana Olympic Committee has been consistent with their position that they did not play a role in the process that led to the issuance of accreditation to the fake journalists.

The GOC has also emphasized their readiness to assist the Criminal Investigations Department of Ghana Police Service in their quest to find the culprits.