Author: Elton Nana Amoah Jnr

Corruption in the world of football continues to create issues of integrity of the sport. The impact of corruption and its related activities have been evident in the Ghanaian football space over the last few years. 

The integrity of Ghana’s game has been dented since the Number 12 exposé that led to the downfall of former CAF executive Kwesi Nyantakyi. Ghana football was brought to its knees in that 2018 exposé that fingered many top football officials and referees. Many of these officials received various bans from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Confederation of African Football (CAF) and football’s highest governing body, FIFA. The integrity of our football officials and referees were dragged through the mud and the nation went through a period of normalisation.

Many believed that the exposé would lead to the cleansing of our football space after these corrupt acts came to light. New executives, officials and a new breed of referees were birthed and Ghana football looked on the path to recapturing our position as an African powerhouse with integrity. The ethics committee of the GFA became more visible, with the GFA prosecutor also taking on more cases that affected sporting integrity.

These gains were nullified at the end of the 2020/21 season, when a game between AshantiGold and Inter Allies FC took an interesting turn. The game ended 7-0 in favour of the Miners, with Inter Allies defender, Hashmin Musah, scoring two “bizarre” own goals. After the game, Musah indicated that the game was fixed to end in a 5-1 score in favour of AshGold and he scored those own goals to prevent that scoreline. This allegation was refuted by officials of both clubs who claimed that the game was played with the highest level of professionalism. 

The GFA took this allegation very seriously and investigated it fully because it had the potential of putting Ghana in a precarious position on the continental and global football stage.

On 16th May 2022, the GFA disciplinary committee release it’s ruling on the case with both clubs being demoted to the second division of Ghana football. Aside that President of Ashgold, Dr.Kwaku Frimpong received a 10-year ban from football-related activities and a GHC 100,000 fine with club’s CEO also receiving an 8-year ban and a GHC 50,000 fine.

Despite this ruling and the various bans to players and officials of both clubs, questions of football integrity continue to be raised. 

There are gaps in the investigation and prosecution of corruption related occurrences that make it difficult to completely rid our football institutions of corruption.

In the most recent case involving AshGold and Inter Allies, certain lapses in the investigation, evidence provided and judgement have been identified. These lapses could affect the enforcement of the ruling should the parties involved appeal the decision.

There is no simple answer to the question “how to get rid of corruption in our major sports institutions” when even at the national level corruption is still running riot. 

However, some measures can be put in place for better prosecution and investigation of these activities.

One such measure is the thorough investigation of ‘corruption and bribery allegations’ made or noticed in the football space. Investigating match-fixing, bribery and corruption allegations can be very difficult due to the lack of concrete evidence that can be used for prosecution. 

The lack of conclusive evidence is a blockage to effective justice in these cases and should be improved. The establishment and empowerment of the GFA Compliance and Integrity Office to investigate allegations is a step in the right direction. The office needs more resources in order to track games across the country that have possibility of manipulation.

Expedited prosecution in cases that contravene the laws of Ghana can get rid of corruption in the game of football.  After the number 12 exposé, the case involving the embattled GFA boss, Nyantakyi, was presented in court but was dismissed due to the prosecution failing to file its witness statements more than a year after case management started. State prosecutors then moved to a different court to have the case heard in June 2021 yet, the case is still undetermined after another year. Other cases like the one involving AshGold could take the same turn meaning that there is no criminal conviction that can serve as a deterrent to engaging in manipulation.

The integrity of Ghana’s football remains at risk despite some gains made in the last two years. It is difficult to completely rid the game of football when on the national level it is still rife.  Recent allegations of match-fixing at the tail end of the 2021/22 should be thoroughly investigated by officials of the Compliance and Integrity unit of the GFA despite the retraction of the statement. The findings of the investigation should be made public and if found to be frivolous, the individual who made these allegations punished severely for bringing the game into disrepute. 

These steps might be viewed as small, but would consolidate gains made in ensuring the integrity of the game.

Years ago, A mother cried out loud in labour as she brings forth a beautiful being into this world.

At her birth, the entire family were filled with joy and happiness.

It was the beginning of an era, an era that will see people around this newly born baby, happy.

An era that food may never go waste ones is set before this beautiful baby.

Guess what, that era is here and as a matter of fact, today marks another age of this person.

Lady Dee as we all know has grown to become flower full of nectar.

A unique woman who always live her mark everywhere she goes. An individual who is capable of pushing you to do your best and very meticulous in her dealing.

Get to know her by tweets. These are the shades that exposes her true nature and uniqueness.

1. 23/02/2022 – The first ever Tweet of Lady Dee m was actually a retweet of a track being played on Apple Music, which was even tweeted by her bestie. This attest to the fact that she is very patient and doesn’t rush into making her presence felt.

One will usually make a unique tweet after signing up on social media just to get noticed.

2. 25/04/2022: A lady who is focused on seeing the positives side of things gets attracted to only positive things.

3. 26/04/2022: She is one person who always want to help people in circle progress and she will do anything possible to see that happening, even if it means by advertising.

4. 29/04/2022: Her love for food is just underrated. A way to a man’s heart, they say it’s good but a way to Lady Dee’s heart is lots of food, I mean lots of food.

5. 15/03/2022: As hardworking as she is, trust me she is also afraid of something. She is scared of being alone in public. Simple.

6. 12/03/2022: This is how persistent she can be when it comes to taking chances and she never hesitate to let others to know.

7. 05/03/2022: She is very particular of her kids father so the guys out, this should be your clue.

8. 23/02/2022: it’s never a boring day to be around her and her bestie knows that. Dee will never let you stop smiling with her bad dance moves

9. 03/03/2022: Well, I told you she loves food. No more comment.

10. 07/03/2022: One thing about her is her level of self motivation. She always find some element to keep her moving. Indeed she’s a strong woman.

11. 08/03/2022: “So Treat People with Kindness” I can never forget how you made me feel some time ago.

12. 13/03/2022: And her weird Sense of Humor. Nsem pii. Of cause we want to Bambam but …

13. 14/03/2022: Well, This is her again showing how concern and selfless she can be. Wondering if she gets the same thing in return.

14. 14/03/2022: I really don’t need to say this, but she can be extremely hardworking.

15. 15/03/2022: Do I even need to say something on this. I don’t think so. She is not picky but very possessive.

16. 15/03/2022: Sleep is for the weak and I’m guessing this is her waking up early morning and looking lovely and adorable

17. 15/03/2022: This how she builds family beyond blood relation.

18. 16/03/2022: Always giving Other people opportunity to Progess

19. 21/03/2022: Should I call her relationship coach? But that’s some bars!!!

20. 22/03/2022: And the Moment she posts her pic, the clock skips a second.

Happy Birthday Dee. All the Best wishes in the World.

Relationships takes away every part of you, emotionally or physically.

It’s requires major attention and sacrifices however when all these selfless acts doesn’t yield the fruit it deserves, we break down as individuals.

Our world stops for a moment when that one person you so care about and love turn their backs at you irrespective of your sacrifices and affection.

This has damaged so many people that they turn to hold back even if they are in a relationship all in the name of “loving with your head not your heart”

We hold back on our true feelings from our partners.

We hold back on our experiences just because we are afraid.

It’s takes a lot to heal from a broken relationship that even as we enter into a new relationship we become too cautious and careful.

We tend to succumb to fear and suppress our emotions.

One thing we fail to see that Relationship is a whole package or pieces of puzzle put together that includes both negatives and positives acts.

There is a bit of love.
There is a bit of intimacy.
There is a bit of sacrifice.
There is a bit of commitment.
There is a bit of dependence.

These are just some of the positive things to expect however you should also know that there are also the opposite of the good things you should also expect.

There is a bit of betrayal.
There is a bit of hurt.
There is a bit of misunderstanding.
There is a bit of miscommunication.
There is a bit of selfishness.

It goes on and on. We should be able to expect all these and deal with them.

When we do, our expectations in relationship becomes more of realities than fantasies.

Expect Everything and use your thinking cap to suppress the negatives and by making the right decisions.

Anyone who holds back in relationship is more damaged emotionally and needs time to heal.
If you hold back, then you are not ready to be in any form of commitment.

It’s either in or out.

So instead of saying “Love with your head not your heart”, I will rather say “Love with your heart and use your head to make a realistic expectation”

By Elton Nana Amoah Jnr

A famous singer ones said “love goes where love is”.

Both Naa Dedei and Barista are known for their hilarious nature and their sense of humor and arguably have a lot in common.

However, no one thought Naa Dedei will be crushing on Barista per the alleged leak chat between Barista and Naa Dedei.

There is more to this story than we see it and the question many are asking is

“If this wasn’t a prank, why would Barista leak his chat between himself and Naa Dedei?”

Story By Elton Nana Amoah Jnr

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