20101113
africanews

The Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Sports have locked horns over who is vested with the power to nominate a candidate to contest a CAF Executive Committee position. The FA presented its president Kwesi Nyantakyi for the vacant seat but Minister of Sports insist on football legend Abedi Ayew Pele.

“Attached is the CV of Mr. Abedi Ayew Pele,” Sports minister Akua Sena Dansua said in a letter to the GFA on Tuesday. “He is Ghana’s nominee for membership of the CAF executive committee. Please take immediate action and report back.”

However, the Executive Committee of the FA met on Thursday noon and reaffirmed its decision to back the candidature of their own and has since reported the development to CAF and FIFA.

Article 18 (3) of the CAF Statutes mandates the relevant National Association to put forward the names of candidates, which is contrary to the Sports Ministry's moves.

“The decision of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) was pursuant to Article 18 (3) of the CAF Statutes which states that "Names of candidates for membership of the CAF& FIFA Executive Committees shall be submitted by the relevant National Association at least ninety (90) days before the date of the General Assembly of which this item is on the agenda. All outgoing members are eligible for re-election," a reply to the minister and copied to the media read.

“We wish to remind you that in response to our request, the Ministry wrote back as per letter reference NE. 115/174/01/01 dated 13th July, 2010 informing the GFA of Government's support for Mr. Nyantakyi's candidacy.

“Subsequent to this, the FA forwarded Mr. Nyantakyi's nomination to CAF, which body has since written back to acknowledge receipt of the same.

“The Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) finds this latest twist as unfortunate and clearly confusing.

“Under the circumstances enumerated, we write to inform you that the Executive Committee of this FA (whose members’ names and signatures are attached to this letter) is unable to act or take any further action on your request.”