Government has agreed with recommendations by the Justice Senyo Dzamefe Commission that henceforth, it will no longer use state funds to send supporter groups to tournaments.
The directive was issued in the white paper after studying the commission’s inquiry into Ghana’s participation in the 2014 world cup tournament in Brazil.
[contextly_sidebar id=”EZndMng76rHHRbJriSzLjZGKPLMqKjea”]Government came under heavy criticism for flying supporters to Brazil using state funds.
The backlash even heightened when it emerged that about 200 supporters out of the total number sought asylum in Brazil after Ghana’s first round exit from the game.
Aside this development, there were reports that the supporters, comprising entertainment icons among others were stranded in Brazil.
Jackie Appiah, Jon Dumelo, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, reportedly slept on bare floor at the airport because there was no flight to take them back to Natal.
The white paper indicated that funding by private sponsors should rather be encouraged in subsequent tournaments.
Government has further directed that the total amount of Gh¢13,757.00 paid to Corsel must be refunded by the company for non-performance with interest at the prevailing commercial bank rate.
It said the amount should be refunded in not less than one month after the issuance of the white paper.
Investigate Nyantakyi
In a related development government has ordered investigations into the financial dealings of the Ghana Football Association and its President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, with regards to matches played in the lead up to the game.
The report stated that government would look into claims of losses totaling $1,002,000 during the matches involving Ghana and Cape Verde, Ghana and Nigeria, and Ghana and Togo.
The investigations would also establish the claim by the GFA that the $350,000 was received from the Japan friendly game was used to offset the deficit incurred in the Ghana – Cape Verde qualifying match for the World Cup.
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah