“We have kept our side of the ideal. We have even gone on to hold several meetings, sometimes travelling to Nigeria, just to get the issue resolved”.
“There have been several discussions and concession given just to ensure that Glo could pay the outstanding bills, but after the last September deadline, no word had come from them. It is very frustrating and unfair to the clubs and other parties involved and we must not act to claim the money”.
These are the words of the President of the Ghana Football Association- Kwasi Nyantakyi indicating the position of the association. Obviously what they were up to was legal redress but after two years Nyantakyi’s intentions have dried up and the ordinary Ghanaian whose interest is embedded in the Ghana football would want to know whether the association still have the interest of the Glo money at heart?
There are millions of questions begging for answers on the face of the money-Does the GFA has a genuine case? If indeed the FA has a good case, what is stopping them from pursuing it? Whose is reneging on his responsibilities on the matter? These are mind bothering questions that has been itching the minds of the public for the past 24 months .
Going through the comments of the FA and the information privy most people, it means that Nigeria company deliberately opted out from the contract and per the agreement of such standing, the company has breach hence the next option left to the GFA was court which themselves clearly stated but as we speak the million dollars are still hanging somewhere.
What could be the reason that might have compared Glo from not fulfilling their full responsibility? Whatever reason the Nigeria outfit has to have done this, is completely wrong and could not be entertained anywhere. It is rude and unprofessional on the part of the telecommunication giant, but there are pertinent reasons we must think through.
Globalcom in their estimation thought they could get value for money but after years into the agreement the obvious reasons in the league have pull them off. Economically it makes sense. No business entity will invest in vain, they are profit earning company those growth depend on what comes through. They decided to pull out because the Ghanaian league wasn’t offering it- but their exit was unfair.
If the current sponsors First Capital plus Bank are no longer interested in offering their support to the local league, it then affirms Glo’s decision which directly means, there is something hugely wrong with the league. If by the start of the league and no positive information is heard from FCPB then the FA would have another sponsorship tussle to battle.
The outcome of these bizarre story will always be on the clubs whose primary income rest on the sponsorship packages. The obvious reasons are that players will go unpaid and the player exodus will persist. Smaller clubs are greatest sufferers of this challenge.
The Ghana Football Association can do themselves a great favour by pushing for this Glo money to safe-guard their dwindling image. They should not create room for the public to give wrong meanings into it. Glo has publicly admitted severally that they have erred in the contract.
“We are trustworthy and credible company whose worth ethics are based on trust and principles. Indeed we do intend to owe the FA. There has been a reason why the payment has not been honoured on time and we have not failed to communicate this to FA”
“What is happening is not abnormal situation in the business. We do not take the relationship with GFA and the Black Stars for granted, and right time, we will honour our obligation”- statement by Head of Marketing Communication for Glo Mobile Ghana-Dominic Icha.
These were comments made some two years back and as we speak, the authorities have remain adamant to this sensitivity issue. Globalcom is still existing, they have their offices sprung across Africa including Ghana. The understanding is simple, they owe GFA and that the fact.
Kwasi Nyantakyi and his men must put aside mediation and dialogue since it hasn’t work time past, they must hit the Law court and seek proper explanation to the issue.
One thing is clear, the Ghana Football Association owes Ghanaians hugely and they must not endeavour to add up.
by Obed Echia