Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) vice-president George Afriyie has called for comprehensive reforms in Ghana football, arguing that changes to the association’s governance structure must go beyond the issues currently under discussion. Speaking on Sporty FM, Afriyie emphasized the need for broader institutional changes to improve accountability within the country’s football governing body. He stressed that the current debate should focus on deeper structural and administrative concerns.
Afriyie questioned whether individuals who had benefited from opportunities provided by the GFA would be willing to speak critically about the association. He cited the example of Takyi, who had traveled to America and Poland on a GFA ticket, and wondered why such individuals would not speak out against the association. Afriyie argued that such concerns reinforced the need for reforms that would strengthen governance and ensure greater accountability within Ghana football.
The former GFA vice-president also criticized the work of the Normalisation Committee established during the country’s football crisis in 2018, suggesting that it had failed to address some of the underlying problems. The Normalisation Committee was established by FIFA to oversee the GFA’s daily operations, review its statutes, and organise elections under revised statutes. Afriyie’s comments come amid renewed calls for changes to the administration of Ghana football.
Afriyie raised concerns about the powers exercised by the GFA’s Executive Committee (ExCo), arguing that it could make important decisions without sufficient reference to Congress. He noted that the ExCo had been reduced from 24 members to about 12, and now had significant powers without adequate oversight. This, he claimed, was a major issue that needed to be addressed through comprehensive reforms.
Afriyie further alleged that the GFA had registered two companies and questioned how representatives and shares had been allocated. He claimed that the GFA had chosen its own representatives on the company registration and given shares to an outside company. These allegations, he suggested, were issues that FIFA president Gianni Infantino was currently facing.
The GFA identifies Congress as its supreme legislative body, while its Executive Committee is responsible for overseeing the association’s affairs within the powers provided under its statutes. Amid renewed calls for changes to the administration of Ghana football, governance, accountability, and the distribution of decision-making powers are among the issues under scrutiny.
Key issues raised by Afriyie include the need for comprehensive reforms, concerns about the powers of the GFA’s Executive Committee, and allegations of impropriety in the registration of companies. His comments highlight the ongoing debate about the governance and administration of Ghana football, and the need for greater accountability and transparency within the association.
Key points
- George Afriyie calls for comprehensive reforms in Ghana football
- Afriyie criticizes the work of the Normalisation Committee
- Concerns raised about the powers of the GFA’s Executive Committee
