The Government of Ghana (GoG) has called for further discussions with FIFA over the world football governing body’s threat to ban the country if a petition to liquidate the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is not withdrawn.

FIFA in a letter to Ghana on Tuesday, 14 August 2018 said Ghana government’s petition to liquidate the GFA was an interference in football which contravenes FIFA’s rules and regulations and gave the country an August 27 deadline to withdraw the petition or face a ban.

The decision to petition the court to liquidate the GFA came on the back of an investigative documentary by ace journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which uncovered massive rot in Ghana football.

The government, in its response to FIFA, called for further discussions on how best they can both fight graft in Ghana football.

The letter signed by the Sports Minister, Isaac Asiamah, said: “…Given the nature of the empirical and overwhelming nature of the evidence of widespread corruption, bribery, match-fixing and other forms of illegality at all levels of the Ghana FA, the Government of Ghana was left with no choice than to enforce the domestic laws of Ghana to bring the operations of the Ghana FA to a halt…”

“Ghana recognises the mandate of FIFA to administer football globally. Government of Ghana is not interested in interfering with the administration of football in Ghana.

“It is our understanding that FIFA remains committed to purging football administration in Ghana of corruption and related criminal conduct, which objective is in accord with that of the Government of Ghana.

“From the foregoing and given the totality of the circumstances, the Government of Ghana is desirous of further engagements with FIFA. We believe Government of Ghana and FIFA should meet at our earliest convenience to explore a mutually acceptable route to achieving our goal.”