This week, Anas Aremeyaw Anas released the documentary that threatens to cut the GFA to size.
The investigative piece, titled ‘Number 12: When Corruption and Greed Become the Norm’, has been airing since Wednesday afternoon in Accra.
Yet, it is clearly from years of work. Joy Sports tries to trace the key events that have led to this point.
November 2015
Transparency International names the Ghana FA among most financially unaccountable organizations in the world. The global anti-corruption agency said in its report that the GFAwas among the most opaque in the world in their operations. The report also scored the GFA zero in all four categories of its annual Football Governance League Table. Communications Director of the GFA, Ibrahim Sannie responded by describing transparency international’s report as shoddy and erroneous.
November 2015
Anas Aremeyaw Anas discloses he has evidence of corruption at the GFA. The boss at Tiger Eye Private Investigations added that “time will be the decider of when it comes out”.
“There is some rot clearly and I have some evidence of that. Just let time be the decider.”
Executive Committee Member of the FA, Winfred Osei Palmer challenged Anas to publish the said evidence, claiming that the financial administration of the association was intact. “GFA as an institution is not scared of any Anas and his operations unless he conducted the investigation in aspects like national team recruitment and how players are invited.”
June 2016
GFA reveals readiness to engage Anas to uncover possible rot at FA. This is after concerns of match fixing resurfaced once more.
October 2017
Media reports hinting at Anas’ readiness to expose the GFA emerge again. Indeed, various media portals reported that Anas had concluded investigative work and was set to expose officials involved in match-fixing and corruption.
May 2018
Kweku Baako reveals Anas’ latest piece is an investigation on the GFA. The Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, gave the clearest indication that the work will be centered on the football sector and its links with politics. He added that the exposé was going to be “an explosive mix.”
Various promotional materials of the sting emerged afterwards with details indicating date and time of premiere in the regional capitals.
May 2018
Kwesi Nyantakyi insists FA is not scared of Anas’ investigation. Ghana Football Association President spoke for the very first time about the impeding premiere, and asserted that the outfit had nothing to fear about any such work.
May 2018
Clandestine moves by officials of the Ghana Football Association to bribe Anas, according to Kweku Baako, did not work. Baako mentioned that there were moves behind the scenes by officials of the GFA, to bribe Anas to the tune of millions of dollars.
“When the GFA officials found out that he [Anas] is on the verge of releasing such a piece, they gave money to a certain lawyer to give to Anas to prevent him from releasing the video, but the lawyer was scared and sent the money back to the GFA,” Baako said on NewsFile.
May 2018
President reports Nyantakyi. Nana Akufo Addo asked the Police CID to look into conduct of a possible charge for Nyantakyi of defrauding by false pretences.
The President issued the directive after a security briefing on Anas’ latest work, which followed a viewing of portions of the video. Deputy Chief of Staff, Abu Jinapor said Nyantakyi was captured in a snippet of the video trying to broker an investment deal using the name of the President, Vice President and other top government officials. Nyantakyi, who was not in the country at the time of the request for his presence, eventually came in, and has been around.
May 2018
Police invite Anthony Karbo. The Deputy Roads Minister was invited to the Criminal Investigations Department after it emerged he had been mentioned in the same video. Nyantakyi was said to have mentioned Karbo as one of the government officials who facilitates access to the presidency. Some members of parliament registered their displeasure at the CID’s invitation highlighting possible breaches of his privileges since.
May 2018
Anas petitions Fifa. The Daily Graphic reported that Anas was heading to FIFA to petition the world football governing body over the alleged misconduct by Ghana FA president Nyantakyi. Fifa had earlier stated they were monitoring events in a response to a letter by Joy Sports. Report, it later emerged that a Fifa delegation was to visit Ghana on a fact-finding mission.
May 2018
Enter Kennedy Agyepong. The Assin Central member of parliament launched a scathing attack on Anas Aremeyaw Anas and threatened to unmask him. He among other things alleged that Anas is an extortionist and blackmailer who has acquired wealth through criminal activities. He listed a number of properties owned by Anas and questions how a journalist can make enough money to acquire them. Agyapong went ahead to release pictures he claims to be of the investigative journalist and threatened to release videos of his alleged criminal activities.
Source: Myjoyonline.com