Journalists were paid to destroy me - Afriyie Ankrah

Ex-Ghana Sports Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has made shocking revelation that some journalists were paid in a highly orchestrated agenda to destroy his image with special emphasis on the 2014 World Cup.

Ankrah revealed that some of the stories by the media were calculated to draw the ire of the President of the country John Mahama with claims that he is keen on contesting him for the NDC party's leadership role.

He hinted that sports presenters like Patrick Osei 'Songo' Agyemang of Asempa FM and Adom TV were paid by his 'enemies' within his own political party with the ‘Sika die-Sika die’ mantra to cause his downfall.

The ‘Sika die-Sika die’ mantra which means 'stealing money' was heavily used by Songo before during and after the World Cup which caused disaffection for the then sports minister.

The charismatic leader, who was removed from office in the wake of the tournament in Brazil, says he has uncovered the plans which were hatched with the vision of disgracing him.

The stalwart in the ruling NDC party says some of the journalists used in the highly orchestrated agenda have confessed to the damaging strategy.

Afriyie-Ankrah suffered allegations of corruption, squandering World Cup funds, alleged award of contracts to his wife and mother, maltreatment of sponsored supporters to Brazil, alleged affair with a Ghanaian actress, the Black Stars appearance fees debacle, among others serious claims.

In chat with Nana Aba Anamoah on ‘State of Affairs’ on GH One TV, the former Minister for Sports has revealed that some media men have confessed to him that they were used to hound him by ‘enemies’.

“I know. It is not everything that the hunter sees in the forest that he can talk about but for now I know, I have evidence of people who came to me that we were given money, we were told to go after you and we did and we’ve come to apologize," the former sports minister said on GH One TV.

"I said I’ve forgiven you once you’ve come to me to confess, you are forgiven.

“Of course, [they were from] the media. They [enemies] had to use the media.

He however refused to name and shame.

“No. I gave them my word. I will not disclose my source. This is something that I can proof. I know I’m on air so whatever I say, I know the implications. They mentioned a few people,” he told ‘State of Affairs’.

The former also hinted that aside the sports media, even newspapers who owe allegiance to his party, the NDC, targeted him for a perceived hidden presidential ambition.

He added that he has also been told his work on the GYEEDA investigation might have courted him problems.

“I think that this whole business of he has ambitions… even NDC papers said I was going to syphon that money to contest against the President. I thought it didn’t make sense. Anybody who knows me and my relationship with the president… I’m just a normal guy trying my best so for me, I ignored it. I think that was my mistake. And some particular radio and TV stations were going on with ‘Sika die-Sika die’…

“And then, I’m told that my problems started with the GYEEDA investigations. What did I do? The president sanctioned an investigation, those guys are my friends but we had to do what we had to do. We had to save the face of the country so I the servant of the president and the country, I just did what I had to do. No personal ill feelings.

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah is currently a Minister of State at the Presidency.