Embattled former Sports Minister Mallam Ali Yusif Issa has described as “shocking” and a complete “fabrication” claims by the Mayor of Kumasi that he [Mallam Issa] stole the 46, 000 dollars meant for the Black Stars in 2001 and lied about it.

According to Mallam Issa, President Mahama must immediately dismiss the Kumasi Mayor for spewing lies and contradicting his statement in court 15 years ago.

Speaking on Starr Chat Wednesday, Kojo Bonsu told host Bola Ray that he believes Mallam Issa kept the money and lied that it was stolen to set him up.

“I think that the money was with him...the money was with him, wherever the money went he knows it but I don’t think it was a set up or a plan, he had the money so he knows better than anybody,” Mr. Bonsu said.

Mallam Issah, a member of the People’s National Convention (PNC) co-opted into the erstwhile NPP administration, received a four-year jail term in 2001 for failing to account for $46,000 meant as winning bonus for the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars, who were then on a national assignment in Sudan.

He was, however, granted a presidential pardon in July 2003 due to poor health.

Mallam Issah has always maintained his innocence, insisting he was framed by persons within the Kufuor administration with the connivance of the then President.

Reacting to the claims on Starr Midday News Thursday, Mallam Issa told News Anchor Kweku Obeng Adjei that he is surprised Mr. Bonsu is giving a different account after all these years.

“I am at a lost. Kojo Bonsu has added a typical lie to it, there was no time that my wife was called to ask that I said I had left the money in the house… he was one of the public witnesses and he had all the time on earth to tell Ghanaians this.

“What Kojo Bonsu is telling Ghanaians and everybody is that he is a liar… because he is giving a different account. I want him sacked because a mayor is equivalent to a deputy minister and he must be sacked for lying in court. What Kojo Bonsu has said is that he is a liar.”