The Presidential Commission set up by the government to investigate the issues surrounding the performance of the Black Stars at the 2014 World Cup is scheduled to start its work on Monday.
The Commission of inquiry, made up of ace sports broadcaster and lawyer, Moses Foh Amoaning, Sports enthusiast Kofi Anokye Darko, and chaired by Appeals Court Judge, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, was set up by the government to probe the poor showing of the senior men’s national team at the tournament in Brazil.
World football’s governing body, FIFA, has expressed concerns about the commission, which it says violates its statutes against the involvement of government in the administration of football leading to fears that the country could face a ban.
The Commission, however, will commence sitting on Monday, August 11 and Justice Senyo Dzamefe has cautioned journalists who may be reporting on the Commission’s work to be circumspect in their reportage, with the sitting set to be broadcast on national television.
Speaking to Citi Sports, he called on journalists to “learn from the experience they have had over the years from this kind of assignment.”
He stated that lessons should be learnt from the recent election petition, stating that “we don’t want what happened there to happen here” and cautioned against them against making any defamatory comments when reporting on the commission’s work.
Meanwhile the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has reiterated that it will cooperate with the Commission to unravel the truth surrounding the Stars performance in Brazil. Communications Director at the GFA, Ibrahim Sanni Darra, told Citi Sports that they remained committed assisting the Commission in its work.
However, he stated that he hoped “the investigations would fall within the statutes of FIFA.”
“We must dialogue and engage with the government to ensure that when some recommendations are made, it will not be seen as the government interfering in the sport in Ghana,” he added.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana