Confusion surrounds Ghana's World Cup money as Commission wades in

Published on: 07 November 2014
Confusion surrounds Ghana's World Cup money as Commission wades in
Mahama Ayariga has been asked to collect all the money from the GFA

Confusion surrounds the status of Ghana's 2014 World Cup money after the Commission of Inquiry waded into the Ghana FA refund of government's loan towards the Black Stars with two conflicting directives on the matter which now looks like heading for a showdown, leaving the sports minister in a massive dilemma.

The Commission which is investigating Ghana's participation in the tournament first requested the Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga to cancel the ministry's scheduled press conference on Thursday to receive the reimbursement of government's $4m loan to the Black Stars to participate in the World Cup.

That is because the commission wanted the ministry not to accept the refund of the loan but the Ghana Football Association kept to its promise of presenting the loan it received from the government to paying for the appearance fees of players and management members at the 2014 World Cup.

But another directive from the commission emerged later saying the ministry must recover all the amount of money the GFA received from FIFA as prize-money for the Black Stars participation in the World Cup.

The GFA got to the Ministry of Youth and Sports at around 3pm. The delegation was made up of Mr. Kwesi Nyantekyi (President), Mr. Fred Crentsil (Vice President), Mr. Ibrahim Sannie Daara (Communications Director) and Mr. Fred Gyimah (General Secretary).

"We were informed about the commission's letter at the last minute, but nonetheless we had prepared our letter and cheque so we have presented our cheque to the Minister," Nyantekyi said.

"Before the World Cup we reached an agreement with the government to give us a loan to help us finance our team for the tournament so that we'll intend pay back when FIFA pay us the appearance fees so we came to honour our promise," he noted.

However, Ayariga he confirmed that the GFA has brought a cheque of $4,300,000 to his outfit, but he's been in a dilemma because the commission of inquiry investigating into Ghana's participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup had written to him not to accept the $4m but the whole amount FIFA sent to the FA.

"This afternoon I received a letter from the Commission of Inquiry saying that the Ministry should demand for the entire amount so I'll forward the Commission's letter to the GFA," Honourable Ayariga said.

"As it stands I don't know whether I should take the $4m or demand for the entire amount as the Commission suggest because I wouldn't want to interfere with the work of the Commission of Inquiry investigating in the 2014 World Cup," he added.

The GFA is unlikely to contest the demand for the entire funds to be returned but with several implications on the workings of the commission.

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