Ghana's World Cup committee to probe failure turned into a commission

Published on: 11 July 2014
Ghana's World Cup committee to probe failure turned into a commission
Ayariga has turned the committee into a presidential commission

Ghana’s new sports minister has transformed the committee to investigate the Black Stars poor showing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil into a presidential commission which means it has the powers of a court.

Mahama Ayariga named an Appeals Court Judge Justice Senyo Dzamefe last week to head a three-man committee that includes ace Sports broadcaster Moses Foh Amoaning and sports enthusiast Kofi Anokye Darko.

However, on Friday at the opening of the seminar of 60 experts called to find ways of improving football, Ayariga announced that he has moved the committee into a commission giving it the powers to summon people to appear before it.

"I have monitored social media and media discussions since the committee was set up. I had a meeting with the President and he has agreed that we should turn it into a presidential commission," Ayariga told the delegates at the seminar on Friday.

The committee became necessary after Ghana’s first round exit in the ongoing 2014 World Cup while some off-the-field problems also affected the Black Stars.

The committee was asked to enquire into how the Black Stars prepared for the tournament and possible lapses therein which might have caused their early exit from the tournament, indicating that coach Kwesi Appiah and management might be called before the committee.

They will also enquire into matters relating to the management of the Ghana Black Stars team and events in their camp during the tournament while advising government on how to fund national teams in future.

They will look into matters relating to Ghana’s treatment of Ghanaian football fans who were sent to support the Black Stars by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The exit crowned scandalous events off the field including an embarrassing airlifting of $3 million cash on a presidential jet, an act which made Ghana a subject of global ridicule.

There was also player agitation and a reported assault in which a player-Sulley Muntari-slapped a management member, Moses Parker.

The GFA has publicly stated that it is ready to cooperate with the committee but the transformation into a commission could bring a new dimension to it.

The commission could run into problems with FIFA as the world governing body frowns on football matters being addressed in the law courts.

This comes just 48 hours after Nigeria were banned for international football after a court action was instituted against the Aminu Maigari-led federation following the country's exit at the World Cup.

The commission has one month to present its report.

The new Minister gave an assurance that Government will act on the recommendation of the commission.

 

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