George Afriyie explains why he is opposed to government reforming Ghana football

The executive committee of the Ghana Football Association on Thursday, July 5, 2018, petitioned the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) to intervene in the stand-off between the so-called football people and the government of Ghana.

The petition among other things was praying the world’s football governing body to prevent the government from dissolving the association and carry out the much-needed reforms Ghanaians have been clamouring for since the airing of the Number12 documentary by ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The 24-page petition which was signed by 17 members of the FA’s Executive Committee has irked some Ghanaians who believe the executive members are derailing the efforts of government in its bid to cleanse Ghana of the corrupt practices that were exposed by Anas.

Among the 17 members who appended their signatures to the petition is former GFA Vice President George Afriyie who was sacked by members of that committee, most of whom are believed to be puppets of Kwesi Nyantakyi.

Many have been left surprised and disappointed by George Afriyie’s decision to join forces with the very people who booted him out of the GFA Vice Presidential seat to prevent the government from embarking on a campaign that could bring life to a sport that is assumed to be nearing its death.

However, the astute football administrator who fell out with Kwesi Nyantakyi over some text message he sent to him has clarified the rationale behind that decision.

“I want everyone to understand that reforms in Ghana football will be done by GJA. I don’t believe that reforms in Ghana football will be done by the Tomatoes Sellers Association. The reforms in Ghana football will be done by football people because my daily life depends on football, coach Opeele’s life depends on football so he understands football language and the problems in football. We should ask ourselves why is it that FIFA, the mother body had their issues who led the reforms. It was Issa Hayatou who led the reforms. Today, as we speak in the absence of Issa Hayatou, is not Ahmad who is leading the reforms. The point is that reforms can only be done by football people”, he said on Asempa FM.

Meanwhile, FIFA in consultation with the government of Ghana has appointed the technical director of GFA Francis Oti Akenteng and Dr. Kofi Amoah as liaison officers to mediate between them and CAF as they seek to ensure the continuous running of football in the country.

"FIFA and CAF continue to monitor and assess relevant development in relation to the current situation of the Ghana Football Association (GFA)," a statement from FIFA, signed by general secretary Fatma Samoura read.