I have not chopped any money - Saani Daara

Ghana FA spokesman Ibrahim Sannie Daara has rubbished claims he pocked $9,000 as ex-gratia.

Unsubstantiated media reports had claimed the former BBC broadcaster had pocketed the said amount despite not being a member of the Executive Committee.

The payment of $15,000 as ex-gratia for 21 members of the previous Executive Committee of the Ghana FA has divided opinions in the West African country.

There have been several attempts to pin the hardworking Ghana FA spokesman down due to his intelligent defense of the federation.

The unbridled hatred from a tiny minority of the Ghanaian media led to the bizarre claims he took a substantial $9,000 as ex-gratia even though he’s not a member of the Ghana FA’s powerful Executive Committee.

But it has now emerged that he was paid only a deserved GHC9, 000 as honorarium for his contribution to the federation – far cry of the ‘ghost’ figure being circulated by a few ‘witch-hunting and envious’ journalists.

“I have not taken an ex-gratia as an Executive Committee member. Executive Committee members took $15,000,” he told Accra-based Starr FM

“We also attend Executive Committee meetings. I was given an honorarium as part of my contribution to the Executive Committee and there is nothing wrong with it.”

The well-respected journalist has taking a lot of bullet for the FA amid the constant criticism of the activities of the Ghanaian federation.

Some local journalists have tried unsuccessfully to portray him in a negative light despite excelling in his role and the latest ‘fabricated’ story is a testament of how far his detractors will go.

The world-respected journalist was appointed in 2012 to manage the communication outfit of the Ghanaian FA and has so far discharged his duties to admiration.

However, the award-winning ex-BBC journalist has not been spared the brunt of criticism from a tiny minority of local media who have questioned his modus operandi.

The Ghanaian hack was headhunted for his ability after working in the local media and international media for 17 years and only accepted the job offer after turning it down on three occasions.

The top class journalist has distinguished himself admirably, spreading information about the FA evenly to all media houses spread across the hook and cranny of the African country.