FULL STATEMENT: Govt's White Paper On 2014 World Cup Commission

The government has released a White Paper on the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Ghana's participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

On August 4, 2014, government commissioned a three- man Committee, chaired by Justice Senyo Dzamefe, following Ghana’s shambolic performance in the 2014 Brazil World Cup competition.

Below is the full statement by the Attorney General, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong on the release of Government’s White Paper on the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Ghana’s participation at the 2014 World Cup.


Read the full statement below

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE & ATTORNEY GENERAL PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

Statement by the Attorney General & Minister for Justice, Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, on the release of Government’s White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into matters relating to the participation of the Black Stars team in the World Cup Tournament in Brazil, 2014.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On 30th March 2015 His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama received the report of the Commission of Enquiry, which investigated matters relating to the participation of the Black Stars in the 2014 World Cup Tournament in Brazil.

President Mahama thanked the Chairman of the Commission of Enquiry, His Lordship Justice Senyo Dzamefe, members of the Commission, their support staff and several others for their sense of patriotism and dedication to duty.

President Mahama immediately referred the report to my office for study and advice. We have studied the report and have offered the needed advice to Mr. President.

In accordance with Article 280 (3) of the 1992 Constitution, today, we wish to present to you the White Paper arising out of this report.

The Commission was set up under C.I. 82 of 2014, with the period of completion of its assignment extended under C.I. 83 and C.I. 84, both of 2014.

The terms of reference of the Commission as stated in section 5 of C.I. 82 were as

follows:

1. To inquire into matters relating to:

§ The preparation of the Ghana Black Stars Team for the tournament and possible lapses which might have caused the early exit of the team from the tournament;

* The management of the Ghana Black Stars Team and events in their camp during the tournament, and

* Ghana’s treatment of Ghanaian football fans who were sent to support the Black Stars by the Ministry of Youth and Sports;

2. To advise the Government on the financing of the activities of the senior national team and other national teams;

3. To inquire into all other matters of public interest concerning the organization of Ghana’s Black Stars participation in the Tournament; and

4. To make recommendations to the Government for ensuring that, as far as practicable, all the findings are implemented.

The Commission comprised the following members:

- His Lordship Justice Senyo Dzamefe – Chairman
- Mr. Moses Foh-Amoaning – Member
- Mr. Kofi Anokye Owusu-Darko – Member
- Mr. Jonathan Acquah, Senior State Attorney was Counsel to the Commission.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Government has decided to accept most of the recommendations of the Commission. Where Government has not accepted the Commission’s recommendations, this has been stated and the reasons for the non-acceptance given.

Where Government has accepted the recommendations in modified form, this has also been stated and the reasons for the modification given. The White Paper is therefore divided into three Parts for ease of reference:

Part i: Recommendations accepted.
Part ii: Recommendations not accepted.
Part iii: Recommendations accepted with modifications.

The next step after the issuance of this White Paper is the implementation of the recommendations, which have been accepted, as well as those accepted with modifications.

For this purpose, Government has accepted the recommendation of the Commission to assign implementation responsibilities in relation to payment of penalties, return of state property and surcharging of certain named personalities for losses caused, to the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General’s Department.

Government also accepts the recommendation for the establishment of three (3) implementation teams namely Technical and Management, Funding/Financial Administration and Management, and Marketing and Sponsorship to ensure the implementation of the Legacy Recommendations. However, the composition of these implementation teams will be determined by Government.

Government also directs the Minister for Youth and Sports to take appropriate action to establish the implementation teams.

Government also accepts the recommendations of the Commission that supporters must seek their own sponsorship to participate in tournaments and the state should, as a matter of policy, not directly employ public or state funds to airlift, accommodate and feed supporters.

Government accepts the recommendations that the activities of Fan Parks as produced and managed by E-volution International should be further investigated and any net income accruing from the execution of the Fan Parks should be paid to the state with interest at the prevailing bank rate.

Government, however, does not accept the recommendation that a Special Investigative Team be set up to look into matters that require further investigations. Government is of the view that there does exist institutions, which have the requisite capacity to deal with these matters. Government has therefore decided that the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) will be the body to conduct any further investigations assigned to the Special Investigative Team.

Government will take steps to initiate the Commission Stakeholders Review Colloquium as recommended by the Commission. Government has, however, decided that the Colloquium will be held two years after the publication of this White Paper instead of one year as recommended in the Report.

This is because Government is of the view that some of the recommendations may need more time to resolve. Examples can be found in Paragraph 4.18 of the Report where the Commission recommends that:

* The Government of Ghana should canvass for the re-establishment of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) within the African Union and the establishment of a United Nations Agency for Sports (UNAS) to superintend and regulate the activities of International Sports Organisations at the International and
Continental levels;

* Ghana should canvass for the adoption at the Sub-Regional (ECOWAS), Continental (AU) and International (UN) system a new model for the relationship between Nation States and International Sporting Organisations (I.S.Os) where a single Domestic Sporting Association affiliates and relates with a multiplicity of I.S.Os dealing with a particular sporting discipline as pertains in professional boxing.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In conclusion, once again Government commends the members of the Commission. We are confident that thorough implementation of the recommendations accepted/modified will make the administration of football better and position our National teams strategically for the attainment of greater feats in world football.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Washman007