Ghana to discontinue liquidation of GFA, agrees terms with FIFA

The Government of Ghana has agreed with FIFA to discontinue court processes to liquidate the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The new twist in the stormy Ghana vs FIFA collision comes after a delegation from the two sides met in Zurich, Switzerland Thursday.

FIFA had served notice to expel Ghana from international football by August 27 should the government continue with processes to liquidate the GFA.

The world football governing body had viewed the Government of Ghana’s action as undue interference in the administration of Ghana football and in contravention of FIFA statutes, while the government insisted that ‘widespread’ corruption and illegal acts within football administration in Ghana as exposed by undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, needed to be eliminated and discouraged.

But a statement issued by the Information Ministry, said to be jointly issued by the government of Ghana and FIFA after their meeting, acknowledged government’s satisfaction with measures agreed with FIFA to deal with corruption in football.

Among resolutions arrived at during the meeting are that:

1.   The Presidents of Ghana and FIFA have committed to work together to offer leadership in reforming football administration in Ghana and in Africa;

2.   That the GoG and FIFA shall work closely to eradicate corruption and malfeasance and other associated criminal conduct from the administration of football in Ghana;

3.   The GoG and FIFA shall establish a joint task force to create proper disciplinary, governance and auditing mechanisms as well as ensure that persons who are found culpable are punished in accordance with Ghanaian domestic laws and FIFA statutes;

4.   FIFA upon consultation with the GoG and CAF shall establish a normalization committee to replace the Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association;

5.   FIFA in consultation with the GoG and CAF shall appoint persons with integrity and competence to constitute the membership of the normalization committee.

FIFA officials who attended the meeting included its President, Mr Gianni Infantino, and the Secretary General, Madam Fatma Samoura and other representatives of the FIFA administration, while the Ghana delegation was made up of the Minister for Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah; Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor; the Minister for Information designate, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; the Deputy-Attorney General, Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame; and the head of the FIFA/CAF liaison team, Dr. Kofi Amoah.