The Ghana Sports Media Alliance platform engaged former Ghana Football Association President Alhaji Mohammed Nurudeen Jawula on the election of the current FA Boss onto the FIFA Council two days after the event.

The election attracted the attention of almost every Ghanaian and Alhaji Jawula is one of such persons.

Haven't been the GFA Boss before as well as currently a CAF Competitions Committee Member, the platform engaged the experienced football administrator to throw light on Kwesi Nyantakyi's triumph at the highest decision making body of football in the world.

In the interview below, the platform is represented with the initials GSMA while Alhaji Jawula's responses are represented by AJ.

GSMA: Salaamun Alaikum Alhaji. You are warmly welcomed to Ghana Sport Media Alliance.

AJ: Wa Alaikum Salaam honourable members.

GSMA: We are very humbled to have you this evening Alhaji. God bless you for your time.

AJ: Am thrilled.

GSMA: First of all Alhaji, this is Ghana Sports Media Alliance, the most organised media platform in the world, arguably.

AJ: Wow!

GSMA: Quickly Alhaji, how was the feeling like when Kwesi Nyantakyi won the election to be on the FIFA COUNCIL?

AJ: Considering the fact that it's been ages since Ghana got this far, it's thrilling. Since the time of Ohene Djan, all efforts made by all Ghanaians of all times could not bear fruits. I remember Nana Buttler tried it in Burkina Faso long after Nana Fredua Mensah and others but it didn't work out. In my opinion, Kwesi fought a big battle for Ghana and not for himself as an individual because if we have appeared at the World Cup so many times, we needed something else at the global level to show that we have come of age. So that was very exciting and I think it's a big plus for Kwesi personally and for us Ghanaians as a people.

GSMA: Thank you Alhaji.

From your response, it means many Ghanaians have tried getting there after Ohene Djan but could not succeed right?

AJ: Yes, clearly there was Nana Fredua Mensah who tried to get at a time. But then the usual Ghanaian thing happened. The election was being held outside and Major George Lamptey was sent with a letter by Cathy Ceasar to go and say that Nana Fredua Mensah was not the rightful contestant, rather, he Cathy Ceasar. So in the confusion, we lost out. The next time was in 1998 when Nana Buttler contested in Burkina Faso but the Francophone agenda ensured he didn't make it because he had to withdraw his candidature. So that of Kwesi is a great headway and he deserves a lot of praises.

GSMA: Alhaji, what do you make of the decision of CAF not to allow other members outside the Executive committee to contest for the seat of CAF President.?

AJ: This decision doesn’t make too much sense but you know, Kwesi had to draw a thin line and thread cautiously. The effort was made when the motion was tabled and I believe it will be tabled again at other congress. It's not a fair decision because it appears some people want to limit the position of the presidency to only ExCo members and that should not be the case.

GSMA: Alhaji is the election of Kwesi Nyantekyi onto the FIFA COUNCIL going to affect his job as the Ghana FA President in terms of having a divided attention?

* Alhaji add this as well.

Some people have been calling for Kwesi to step down as FA Boss because of his current portfolio. What do you say to that?

AJ: In terms of too much on his plate, that is up to him. He is not the only one to accommodate too much positions. There are others on the same council who are also with other federations, they are FA Presidents in their countries and hold high CAF amd FIFA positions. So the decision is entirely his. He contested in his own right and won. It is not illegal to hold all the positions. FIFA and CAF regulations do not hinder that.

I have heard it somewhere as some people have been calling for him to resign but I think it's his personal decision. I am sure he will be able to push at the FIFA level certain agenda for Ghana and CAF. So if he think he can do it, why not?

GSMA: Alhaji: You are close to the top rank of CAF, do you think Kwesi Nyantekyi is really close to the CAF seat taking into consideration the presence of Kabele Camara, Constant Omari and the emerging Djibrilla of Niger?

AJ: All these names are from the Francophone countries and if they all choose to stand, then it means they will split their votes. And this is a clear sign that President Kwesi Nyantakyi has a good chance except that he must play his cards well. Ghanaians must not jump on air and start saying he is the next CAF President. That will dismantle his chances because people will begin to fight him from afar. Let's be sensible about this to allow him to do his underground work and announce it at the right time if he wants it.

GSMA: Alhaji we love your last response. That is highly a political response. Hahahaha.

But Alhaji what is your opinion on the decision by CAF last year to cancel age limit and terms of office for the CAF President?

AJ: When something comes from CAF, then it's the decision of the membership and we have to respect it. We can think that it's because they want assist some people. But so far as we have someone there who may stand up for it, that is what we must consider important. Age is on the side of Kwesi and that is good. In my opinion, Kwesi should be prepared to contest anybody for the seat except Issah Hayatou for moral reasons. Hayatou supported Kwesi in this last election saying a vote for Kabele and a vote for Kwesi is a vote for Hayatou. So out of respect, Kwesi may not contest him. But any other person stands to be beaten by Kwesi with the right connections.

GSMA: Alhaji, in your own opinion, will you agree or disagree that the quality of our league has gone done compare to previous year's?

AJ: Yes to some extent the quality of the league may not be what is was but then I like to compare our league to other leagues to see where we any reason heading. We have not been doing well in Africa when our clubs compete. Let's see what Wa All Stars will have for us this time. But then, this is relative because the parameters are difficult to compare. So let's limit it to our good performance in Africa then we will say we are doing well.

GSMA: Alhaji which are the reforms to which you will wish to see in Ghana Football?

AJ: The biggest reform I want to see is that I want matches to be played on a green turf and not at the boardroom. Points should be contested for on the pitch and not in the room. If a team withdraws from the league especially in the second round just like Bawku United, I think all their remaining matches should be considered lost. Again, there should be regulation to compel clubs to desist from using unqualified players in their matches and afterwards they tell their opponents to go for the points. It's not fair. The DC should not only interpret the law but must also apply experience to the whole thing.

GSMA: Alhaji

Did you follow our league well this season?

AJ: Yes I followed the league sir.

GSMA: Do you think Wa All Stars are worthy winners of the league?

AJ: Yes there is no doubt about it. Wa All Stars are worthy winners of the league. I followed that one very critically. Let's give them their due. I am convinced that they will do well in Africa because they have a quality team and I wish to congratulate them for their great effort. I wish to congratulate them.

GSMA: Alhaji the new FIFA statute which Ghana adopted seem to have completely taken away the involvement of government in the running of Football including club level, do you think this has helped Ghana?

AJ: The system of getting clubs to stand on their own is a global new approach to the game of football. If the government wants to help they can help us to get sponsors. In South Africa, the government has ensured that the banks do a lot to help all the clubs. In the same way, we should syndicate the banks to assist the clubs. If the government does that, it least it will be enough because political interference in football is not good as it affects standards, morality and does not bring out the best in the game. Cooperate bodies should come in and assist the clubs. That is the next level the game is going but government interest should be reduced totally.

GSMA: Alhaji, what's your opinion on banning clubs from playing behind closed doors and not allowing fans in their matches?

AJ: Punishing clubs to play behind closed doors is the most boring thing we should have in football. I am a CAF Match Commissioner in several countries and I see some of these things. It is not good for football and we must do something else. I have had the opportunity of telling President Hayatou that it must be abolished. It is worse than training.

GSMA: Alhaji

What do you think we must improve in the league next season?

AJ: The biggest thing we should do for the league next season is to get sponsorship. It makes a lot of difference. Clubs will haveone to pay their players well. Whatever it will take us to get sponsorship next season must be done.

GSMA: Alhaji, do you think the relationship between the GFA and the Youth of Sports Minister could have been handled any better than we are seeing?

AJ: The relationship between the Minister and the GFA is not the best. There are errors from both sides. I see a clash of egos and I think they will have to sit down, sip and bottle of Fanta and thrash the issue. It must be done quickly before football suffers.

GSMA: Alhaji

In other countries like Zambia, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, etc, clubs have their own sponsorships which make the sponsorship packages from their federations only complementary.

Don't you think it's time our clubs try getting their own sponsors and what do you think our clubs must do to get their own sponsors?

AJ: I agree with you on sponsorship especially saying the club's must get their own sponsors. That is where I see the government coming in. The Sports Ministry could canvass for cooperate bodies to sponsor various clubs in the country while giving them some incentives.

GSMA: Thank you so much Alhaji for your time and may Allah bless you.

AJ: Thank you too for the opportunity.