‘Kwesi Appiah is not to blame’

Chair of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry Justice Senyo Dzamefe insists coach Kwesi Appiah is not to be blamed for Ghana’s poor performance at the 2014 World Cup.

The 54-year-old has been dismissed by the Ghana FA for reasons believed to be traced from the Black Stars’ disappointing showing at the finals staged in Brazil.

The GFA after declaring its full support for Kwesi Appiah after the World Cup, fired him ruthlessly after Ghana’s opening 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after gathering four points out of a possible six.

But Justice Dzamefe without mincing words, says Appiah is at absolutely no fault after hearing his evidence before his commission on Thursday especially after Appiah revealed his players kept their appearance fees in back packs in the changing rooms when it was eventually paid.

“From what I am hearing, if it is true, I don’t think we have been fair to coach Kwesi Appiah,” the chair declared.

“Imagine you have a child you have promised to give a phone and the child keeps asking you ‘daddy when is the phone coming?’ and you keep saying tomorrow, tomorrow, how will he trust you.

“Mr. Appiah I think we worried you,”

“Players who were supposed to play a game and carry out instructions on the field had $100,000 in their changing rooms.

“I really empathize with you. We really worried you. The system gave you problems.

“So what do you expect the coach to do in such a situation? Some were fighting, some were counting money and others didn’t even sleep.

“Coach, I don’t blame you.”

The chairman also declared that his commission will make sure systems are improved to ensure such an episode never recurs.

“This commission will make sure this never happens again,” Dzamefe added.

“And this issue of cash with our national teams is gone.

“Maybe if you will see any cash you will come back to Ghana to see it.

“All money issues will be sorted here in Ghana before the team leaves.”