Ghana Football
George Afriyie blasts Okraku for charging a GH¢50,000 nomination fee to run for GFA presidency
Former Ghana Football Association Vice President George Afriyie has criticised incumbent Kurt Okraku after the latter filed his nomination to run for president in the 2019 elections.
On Friday, August 11, Afriyie arrived at the GFA Secretariat to complete the process, hours after Okraku had finished his.
Afriyie also expressed his displeasure with the nomination cost established for presidential hopefuls, claiming that the authorised GH50,000 charge was expensive.
“At the last Congress in Kumasi, the FA President said that he has forwarded an amendment fee to FIFA for approval.”
“In FIFA it is clear, there are mandatory provisions you cannot alter, provisions you cannot amend. Those provisions are what you cannot change.”
“The FA President and the Executive Council have asked us to pay GHS50,000. If my brother Kurt Okraku wants to contest for a FIFA position, CAF Position, or a place on the Executive Council, ask him whether he is going to pay money.”
“Because at FIFA & CAF, there’s money for governance, you don’t need to pay filing fees. But here in our situation, the FA finds it prudent that we need an organisational cost and that we have to pay GH¢50,000 to contest for the Presidency.”
Delegates supported a proposal to raise the nomination fees for presidential candidates in the 2018 Ghana Football Association (GFA) elections during the GFA 29th Ordinary Congress.
Congress approved an increase in the nomination cost of GH50,000 for each presidential contender.
This big increase marked a major increase above the previous nomination cost of GHC 5,000 paid by candidates in the 2019 elections.
The decision to raise the Executive Council nomination fee from GHC 2,500 to GHC 15,000 was also affirmed.
Furthermore, nomination costs for the Executive Council and Regional Football Associations (RFA) Chairmen will now be GHC 15,000 and GHC 10,000, respectively, up from GHC 2,500 in the previous election cycle.
George Afriyie, who lost the seat to the Dreams FC Bankroller four years ago, will try to unseat Okraku in this year’s election, which is scheduled for September 27 in Tamale.
Undaunted by the loss, the owner and President of Tafo’s Planners Athletic Club is now determined to recapture the renowned position of GFA leader.
Currently, Okraku and Afriyie are the only two who have formally declared their desire to run for GFA leadership.
Asante Kotoko is facing a GHC 80,000 fine from the Ghana Football Association’s Disciplinary Committee for their disruptive behaviour during a match against Nations FC.
The disciplinary punishment is the result of actions that occurred during their matchday 6 match at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.
Dissatisfied with a penalty call by the referee in the last stages of the game, a group of irate supporters resorted to violent behaviour. In protest, chairs were allegedly smashed, and items were hurled into the pitch. Despite the fact that the game ended in a 2-2 tie, supporters proceeded to vent their rage by destroying artefacts at the stadium.
The inquiry by the Disciplinary Committee revealed a ‘breach of Article 16(c) and Article 16(2)(f) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019.’ As a result, Asante Kotoko has been fined heavily, and the money will be given to Nations FC to compensate for the damages caused by the alleged Kotoko fans.
Meanwhile, Kotoko returned to winning ways on Sunday, defeating Medeama SC at the Baba Yara Stadium due to Sherif Mohammed’s penalty kick in the 60th minute.
Ghana Football
Hearts of Oak to play home games in Kumasi following the closure of Accra Sports Stadium
According to Onua Sports, Hearts of Oak have opted to transfer their home games to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium following the shutdown of the Accra Sports Stadium due to scheduled Christmas celebrations.
The highly anticipated Ghana Premier League match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, which was originally scheduled for Accra on December 8, will now be played in Kumasi, with Hearts of Oak designated as the home team.
The temporary location change was caused by the Accra Sports Stadium, which was overseen by event organisers for the Christmas festivities. Alhaji Brimah Moro Akambi, a Hearts of Oak Board Member, confirmed the decision, indicating that the Phobians will play their home games at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the rest of the year. However, beginning in 2023, the club is open to evaluating alternative locations.
Hearts of Oak are currently 14th in the league rankings with 12 points. Following the resignation of coach Martinus Koopman, assistant Abdul Rahim Bashiru has been named to handle the squad until a permanent replacement is found.
On Tuesday, they meet the Accra Lions, looking to get back on track after three straight draws.
Maxwell Konadu, the head coach of Nsoatreman FC, has been released from the hospital following an attack by Bofoakwa Tano fans.
The incident occurred on Sunday, following Nsoatreman FC’s 1-1 tie with Bofoakwa Tano in Week 11 of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season.
Konadu was rendered unconscious during the assault and was taken to Sunyani Teaching Hospital.
According to a club release, the former Black Stars assistant coach has been fired.
“Our coach Maxwell Konadu has been discharged from the hospital. We thank everyone who said a prayer for our coach during these difficult moments. Efiri Tete Amanaso,” a statement from Nsoatreman FC said on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has announced the arrest of one individual engaged in Maxwell Konadu’s attack and beating.
The police are also on the lookout for another suspect who is presently on the run.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has banned the Sunyani Coronation Park, which serves as Bofoakwa Tano’s home stadium.
Meanwhile, in the matchday 12 games this weekend at Nana Kronmansah Park, Nsoatreman FC will host Heart of Lions.
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