Government to pay salaries of GFA workers amidst football crisis

The government has agreed not to cut the payment of salaries to staff of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) despite the football debacle.

The government placed an injunction on the activities of the GFA in the wake of the Number 12, Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ investigative piece, which prevented officials and workers of the association from carrying out their duties and their offices declared a crime scene.

But a press statement released on Monday, said government will continue to pay workers of the embattled association and also declared their readiness to help Aduana Stars financially so they qualify for the next stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.

Below is a full press statement from the Liaison team:

PRESS RELEASE ON THE MEETING BETWEEN THE FIFA/CAF LIAISON TEAM, GHALCA AND CLUB OWNERS AT THE ALISA HOTEL, ACCRA ON MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

The FIFA/CAF Liaison team met Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Monday, 9th July 2018 to first and foremost introduce the team to GHALCA and Club owners to look at the way forward for Ghana Football. Prior to this meeting, the Liaison team met the leadership of GHALCA who pledged their unflinching support.

During the July 9, 2018 encounter, Dr. Kofi Amoah in his opening speech enumerated that;

1. Football matches and Competitions were about athletes who were aspiring for greatness and the expectant fans, anxious for the roller coaster of emotional highs and lows.

2. For football to be able to sustain its unique place in the global arena of sports, it’s required that the game is organised, managed and administered within the culture and practice of transparency that also abides by the highest standards of ethical conduct.

3. The administration and operation of the game of football must also if it is to be financially healthy and sustainable, operate within higher standards of corporate governance.

Dr. Amoah also reiterated that the appointment of the Liaison team was by FIFA and CAF in conjunction with Government.

The mandate was to sustain the continuity of football operations in Ghana especially the National Teams. Various arrangements have been made for the National Teams to commence camping in Prampram.

The leader of the Liaison Team also called for unity and opined that the Liaison team was ready to listen and collaborate with all the stakeholders. The thoughts of the clubs were to be put in writing and submitted to the Liaison team through GHALCA on the areas of reform in restructuring to help improve Ghana Football.

He asked for a greater collaboration within the establishment of FIFA and CAF Statutes and identify areas which may require amendments.

Dr. Amoah also averred that the Government was committed to the participation of Ghana’s National teams in the various competitions. He called on clubs to release players for camping and added that FIFA had not banned Ghana from football, therefore the activities of the National teams cannot be done in isolation since the clubs were a bedrock to the provision of players to the National teams.

PARTICIPATION OF ADUANA STARS FC IN THE CAF CONFEDERATION CUP

On the participation of Aduana Stars Football Club, in the CAF Confederation Cup, the Liaison Team in conjunction with Government have taken full responsibility for the payment of Air travel and other cost associated with the inspection of the Nana Agyemang Badu II Stadium prior to Aduana’s game against AS Vita Club of Congo DR on July 18, 2018. The Liaison team is working frantically to get the team go far.

GFA STAFF SALARIES

On the issue of staff salaries, the Government had decided to pay the outstanding salaries of the GFA Staff.

In concluding on his opening remarks, Dr. Amoah said that the situation Ghana was presently faced with was a golden opportunity for greater reforms with regard to the operation of the Ghana Football Association.

COMMENTS OF ATTENDEES

Leading personalities including Accra Hearts Oak’s Board Chairman, Togbe Afede XIV stated that the initiative taken by FIFA and the Government of Ghana was in the right direction. He asked for greater collaboration with the Liaison team and tasked clubs to give their support to the team and commit to the strictest honesty going forward.

The National House of Chiefs President, also called for total restructuring, whiles taking advantage of the situation to restore confidence.

The meeting saw other very important Football Administrators including, Abdul Karim Grunsa, Randy Abbey, Fred Pappoe, George Amoako, Benjamin Nanabanyin Eyison, Mark Noonan, Fred Acheampong, Charles Kwadwo Ntim (Mickey Charles) Alhaji Raji, Jones Alhassan Abu and the entire leadership of GHALCA led by Mr. Cudjoe Fianoo.

At the end of the meeting, it was unanimously resolved that the Liaison team should work for the interest of Ghana Football bearing in mind that it has the full support of the Clubs.

The Clubs also asked the Liaison team to work closely with FIFA and Government in restoring normalcy to Football.

Dr. Amoah thanked GHALCA and the Clubs for attending the meeting and gave the assurance that the Liaison team was going to be a conduit between them, FIFA and Government. He also indicated that various processes of engaging stakeholders were going to continue and urged all and sundry to channel its grievances, suggestion and the way forward with regard to Ghana Football to the Liaison team.

Thank you.

SIGNED

FRANCIS OTI-AKENTENG

(MEMBER, LIAISON TEAM)