Sports News of Thursday, 15 August 2019

Source: abcnewsgh.com

NPP Deputy General Secretary Obiri Boahen likely contest for GFA President position

Obiri Boahen, NPP Deputy General Secretary Obiri Boahen, NPP Deputy General Secretary

The Deputy General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen has hinted that he may be putting himself out to contest the Ghana Football Association Presidency when nominations are opened.

The NPP Deputy General Secretary claims he began to contemplate the possibility of occupying the position after several high ranking and influential people in football circles in Ghana have incessantly contacted him to to contest the Presidency.

The position Executive Committee positions of the Ghana Football Association are vacant almost a year on after the dissolution of the Association by Government following a documentary by Anas Aremeyaw Anas that exposed some alleged deep-rooted corruption which hampered the smooth operations of the GFA.

FIFA appointed a Normalisation Committee to oversee the functioning of the Association and develop new statutes that upon ratification by football administrators in Ghana will lead to an election and a re-establishment of the GFA.

Prior to joining mainstream politics, Nana Obiri Boahen had gained years of experience in football administration with now lower division side Bofoakwa Tano, a Brong Ahafo-based football team.

As such, Nana Obiri Boahen believes should he heed to their advise and contest the position, he has all the qualities and insights needed to run such an office, particularly since he is not new to Ghana football and has also established himself as a senior legal practitioner with close to 3 decades of practise.

Speaking in an interview with Nhyira FM, a Kumasi-based radio station, the outspoken Deputy General Secretary asserted, “I didn’t say I’m interested but some people approached me and said they need a no-nonsense man to take that mantle so it’s not me campaigning for the position. Two or three people have approached me who are highly respected people in society.

“I have been an Interior Minister in Ghana before. I served Bofoakwa Tano Club for so many years and an astute lawyer for over 28 years now. I have all the credentials to be Ghana Ghana Football Association’s President. I’m a football enthusiast” he added.

Commenting on the personalities who have confirmed their interest in contesting for the GFA President slot, the former Bofoakwa Tano Football Club administrator submitted that he, like many others, are not convinced about their capacity and competence to run the Ghana Football Association.

“I know some personalities have confirmed their interest but they cannot do the work. If some people want some of us to come into football, we are ready but we have to do the right thing,” he added.

The Normalisation Committee of the Ghana Football Association will confirm the date for the elections after the Emergency Congress it has scheduled for September 5, 2019 to review the statutes and agree on new regulations to govern the FA.