Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Football Association (GFA,) Saani Dara has boldly said that the government of President John Dramani Mahama does not have “executive power” to terminate the appointment of the executive committee members of GFA for contributing to the shambolic performance of the Black Stars at the just-ended 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament in Brazil.
In an interview with Ghana Television (GTV) yesterday, Mr. Dara mocked Ghanaians who are putting intense pressure on President Mahama to dissolve the GFA and CAF executive committee members on one hand and Black Stars team on the other hand, saying the President does not have executive power to interfere in management affairs of the GFA.
He stressed that “even GFA/CAF executive committee members are not paid by government of Ghana so the government under President Mahama cannot sack any of its members until the two years of their term of office expired.”
According to him, the GFA is an autonomous and independent football administrative body which can work without any interference in its affairs by any ruling government.
He pointed out that the GFA or CAF management executive committee position is an elected position which is being governed solely by the rules and regulations of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).
Thus, further making reference to Article 13 par.1 and Article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes which oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently with no interference or influence from third parties.
He indicated that the GFA general assembly and GFA administration are independent bodies which are to work without interference from any government.
Mr. Dara also described as shameful and disgusting the recent conduct of Ghanaians including a member of the Central Regional communication team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC,) Mr. Allotey Jacobs calling on President Mahama to dissolve the Ghana GFA and the Black Stars team.
He argued against the proposal for both Parliament and President Mahama to set up commission of enquiry to probe the Black Stars fiasco at this year’s World Cup tournament.
“This is the similar decision that government of Nigeria has taken to dissolve its NFF executive committee members without given prior notice to the FIFA, a situation that necessitated the suspension of NFF team from participating in football activities in the world,” Mr. Dara averred.
A leading member of the National Democratic Party (NDP,) Mr. Ernest Owusu Bempah who was also on the programme criticized the GFA management executive committee members for contributing to the failure of the Black Stars saying that they lacked management leadership.
The outspoken young politician opined that it is time to dissect into GFA and find the root cause of the problem the country is facing with regard to football, particularly the Black Stars’ abysmal performance in this year’s World Cup in Brazil.
He also called for the head of the GFA bosses, describing them as “hypocrites.”
