Afriyie Ankrah Faces 'Firing Squad' Today

Some issues of mismanagement of the taxpayers’ money at the FIFA World Cup tournament, which raised eyebrows will be laid to rest today as one of the main architects in Ghana’s poor showings in Brazil, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, mounts the Justice Senyo Dzemefe’s Commission witness box.

Among the tall list of questions the ex-Sports Minister is to provide answers to, are issues of accountability, conflict of interest and nepotism, with respect to the roles his junior brother, Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah, played before and during the country’s participation in the tournament.

The three-man commission was setup by President John Dramani Mahama, to delve into circumstances surrounding Ghana’s abysmal performance at the World Cup tournament organised by FIFA in Brazil.

Also begging for answers from the immediate past Minister for Youth and Sports is whether or not, he flew his immediate family made up of his wife and children to the tournament at the expense of the state.

It is also claimed by a New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) activist, CK Amoah on Breeze FM on Monday that, he has information that Mr Afriyie Ankrah transported huge dollar bills to Brazil and even opened a private bank account in that country, where he deposited the cash running into millions.

There are also claims that his wife, offered catering services to the Ghana Village in Natal, where Ghanaian fans stayed during the tournament. Ghanaians are anxiously waiting for some answers.

Another interesting issue on the list of soccer fans, is the poor accommodation for the fans, the roles and mode of engagement of the ambassadors made up of actors, actresses and musicians, and how much they were paid and where the money came from.

Mr Afriyie Ankrah is also expected to respond to the claims of one Kennedy Agyapong of Kenpong Travel and Tour and other companies, which were supposed to transport fans to the tournament.

Additionally, the ex-Sports Minister is also expected to respond to his engagement of a private airline; Dynamic Airlines, which had no permit to operate domestic flights in Brazil, besides it being faulty and nearly killed some football fans.

Indeed, hundreds of fans were left at the Natal Airport and were unable to watch the Ghana-Germany game in Fortaleza.

Furthermore, Mr Afriyie Ankrah is expected to answer whether or not he publicly fought a Ghanaian fan on the streets of Brazil, following disagreements over his handling of issues with respect to the accommodation and food in the Ghana village.

Also in the bill is the player-revolt, which subsequently led to the suspension of Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince-Boateng from camp.

Also worthy of note is the actual and total amount of money the government spent on the tournament as there is already a leaked document, that government approved a US$9.6 million budget for the Black Stars participation in the 2014 World cup.

Source: The Herald