Celebrated sports journalist of international repute Kwabena Yeboah says world governing soccer body FIFA is right in invoking the protective rights insulating the Ghana Football Association from governmental probe.
FIFA last week issued a statement warning government of the likelihood of sanctions the nation may face if it goes ahead to investigate the Ghana FA’s role in the last world cup held in the south American country of Brazil.
Government acting though the Youth and Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga has inaugurated a three member presidential commission of enquiry to probe Ghana’s participation at the world cup.
Among other issues, the commission will probe into how soccer fans airlifted to Brazil were left stranded and disorderliness reported in the camp of the senior national team, the Black Stars, which led to the expulsion of two key players - Sule Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng.
But before the commission could call its first witness, FIFA in the letter signed by its deputy General Secretary warns of consequences if government is seen to be probing directly into the affairs of the FA.
Kwabena Yeboah who was jobbed for the AUB as a World Cup commentator said the FA has not much to answer to the commission since it does not run its activities with government money.
“Check the records and you will realize that the only time government directly give money to the FA is when it comes to the payment of bonuses for the players and that money is at all times disbursed by the accountant with the Youth and Sports Ministry who accompanies the team anywhere,” He told Joy FM.
He commended the current FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi for what he calls the good job he has done for the development of football since he took over the hot seat.
He particularly commended him for ensuring the qualification to three world cups since taking over the presidency of the FA.
“Let’s face it, Kwesi Nyantakyi tenure has made the senior national team a valuable marketing product worth investing in and it's interesting people continue to raise issues with him at the least opportunity,” he stressed.
He called on government to tread cautiously in investigating Ghana’s participation at the world to ensure the calendar of the FA including preparing the Black Stars for the African Nations Cup is not affected.
On the row over the possibility of technical adviser for the coach of the senior national team Kwesi Appiah, Kwabena Yeboah said he finds nothing wrong with it. He however admits Kwesi Appiah has the competence to manage the team.
“I think a technical director will simply work to improve on the capacity of Kwesi Appiah and his technical bench and this should be welcomed.”
According to him, Ghana suffered embarrassment at the world cup when the players boycotted training in protest over the non-payment of their appearance fees which was later airlifted to Brazil causing a global embarrassment for Ghana.
Spokesperson for the FA Ibrahim Sani Darra who spoke on the show however said any decision to employ the services of a technical director for the coach will take into consideration the concerns of Kwesi Appiah.