FIFA gives Ghana up till March 31, 2019 to resolve issues

Government is expecting a delegation from world football governing body, FIFA, and its continental organ, CAF, to hold further discussions towards reforms within the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Reforms within the GFA have become necessary following an exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which captured some officials of the FA engaging in some corrupt practices.

Following the exposé, the government of Ghana decided to dissolve the GFA, a decision FIFA did not take kindly to.

The sport-governing body, therefore, warned Ghana of a possible ban from international tournaments if government goes ahead with the proposed dissolution.

The Government of Ghana later reached an agreement with FIFA to deal with the issues at the GFA together with the world football body.

It is on the back of this that a delegation is expected in Ghana to tackle these issues to ensure that the management of football activities return to normal in the country.

This delegation is expected to assess some names to be proposed by government as members of a Normalisation Committee to run affairs of the GFA.

Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, August 29, Minister of Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said a letter from FIFA to government regarding the processes indicated that the Committee, which will be set up, is expected to finish its work by March 31, 2019.

“The specified period of time during which the Normalization Committee shall perform its function shall expire when all of the above mentioned shall be fulfilled, but not later than the 31st of March, 2019,” Mr. Oppong Nkrumah noted.

The Committee is expected to perform certain functions, which include running the daily affairs of the GFA until it eventually organizes elections to get new executive committee members for the country’s sport governing body.

“Once the GFA statutes meet the requirement of FIFA and CAF, this Normalisation Committee will organise and conduct elections of the GFA Executive Committee on the basis of the revised GFA statutes.”

The Information Minister noted that all these activities, when completed will pave way for the reorganization of the GFA, hence, football activities will return to normal.