Sports News of Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Source: GNA

Media Committee was side-lined – Ackah

Ackah Anthony, Chairman of the Media Committee of the Ghana Brasil 2014 World Cup, has said his outfit was side-lined in the activities leading to the competition.

Anthony, who appeared before the Justice Senyo Dzamefe Committee said, among the functions of the committee was to see to the creation of a website for the project.

According to Anthony, his committee interviewed a number of organisations who submitted bid for the contract and settled on Soft Click, but he later had a text message from Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah, a member of the committee asking him to give the contract to Gocell Limited.

“Though Gocell made a very good presentation, their price was high so we settled on Soft Click”, he added.

Anthony, said Ampofo-Ankrah told him that, the choice of Gocel was that of the ex-Minister of Youth and Sports, hence they were compelled to review their decision and offer the contract to the minister's choice.

He further stated that, the committee was also side-lined during a function where they were to make a presentation on the website but to their surprised another person who was not part of the committee was asked to do the presentation.

Anthony said, members of the committee got angry over the development and started dropping their interest in the committee.

“Christopher Opoku, who was supposed to be spokesperson of the committee got angry and left the committee.

“We were also supposed to be in charge of the allocation of slots to the media, but this was also done without our knowledge. We only heard it in the media.

“I complained to the minister about the situation but there was no positive response. In fact we were not allowed to do our job", Anthony stated.

When asked whether he knew about Dominion Technology, Anthony said they were supposed to go through the interview session but failed to make an appearance.

Justice Dzamefe, however brought proceedings to an end saying “we will allow you to go but you have not been discharged. You will come back tomorrow”.

Anthony, informed the committee that, he will not be available since he was traveling.

The Commission granted him permission and was asked to make an appearance on Thursday.