Sports News of Tuesday, 5 May 2020

Source: footballghana.com

Oloboi Commodore surprised that the GFA is in debt of over GHS11million

Ghana Football Association Ghana Football Association

Accra Great Olympics General Manager, Oloboi Commodore has been left stunned over the Ghana Football Association's whopping GH¢11 million debt.

The Football Association disclosed the figures to club executives last week in the Kurt Okraku administration’s attempts to share the GFA’s financial situation with members.

The legacy debt, divided into dollar and cedi components, is made up of $470,700.00 (GHS 2,730,060) and GHS10,079,440.00.

The GFA also mentioned West Head, an agency that claimed to have brokered the deal between the FA and GNPC leading to a court battle, as one of the institutions they owe. The amount to be paid as the commission is $1.4 million.

A further breakdown of the debt reveals the GFA owes debt to one Kizito Beyuo ($35,000), the arbitrator of the GFA and GLO impasse; former Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah ($180,000); two vehicles purchased in 2017 ($100,000); the land on which the GFA secretariat is cited (GHS 450,000); and many others.

It is unclear why the debt owed Kwesi Appiah is included as a liability of the GFA when the Ministry of Youth and Sports or a sponsor (GNPC in the past) pays the Black Stars coaches.

Also conspicuously missing are the arrears owed the rest of Kwesi Appiah’s backroom staff (Ibrahim Tanko, Stephen Appiah, Richard Kingson) who are all owed 3 months salaries and bonuses for two games.

Two travel and tour companies Travel Matters and Kenpong Travel and Tours are owed $293,000 and GHS 26,000 respectively for providing airline services to national teams.

The document also had GH¢ 1.7 million and GH¢ 480,000 owed referees and match Commissioners respectively, with only GH¢ 300,000 and GH¢ 16,510 paid to these two bodies.

T.T Ustay, a company engaged to work on the FIFA Goal project at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence is owed GH¢ 7.6 million including interest, whilst Care Freight Shipping Agency is owed a little over GH¢ 151,000.

The GFA also owes a company called Henqook, for the purchase of a TV set for the association’s boardroom.

However, for the current broadcast rights holder, StarTimes, the amount owed them was left blank.

Speaking to Asempa FM, the former Black Stars management committee member said: "I find it difficult to understand that the GFA is in debt of over GH¢11million."

"I want to see it in our books to believe. There are several accounts of the GFA with credit balances."

"This debt is there and most of us who make the GFA membership aren't aware."