[ 2014-10-27 ]

We will hunt down offenders if… – Justice Dzamefe
The Presidential Commission of Inquiry
investigating Ghana’s poor outing at the World
Cup in Brazil has clarified that even though it
was not set up to witch-hunt, it would not
hesitate to give recommendations for offenders to
be severely punished.

“If you are a witch we will hunt you,” Justice
Senyo Dzamefe, the Chairman of the Commission, has
assured in an interview with the GNA.

According to him, “the Commission will not give
recommendations outside the evidence available to
it in its final report.”

The Commission’s investigations have so far
revealed seeming corrupt practices by some of the
officials who took government monies to ensure a
successful participation at the tournament.

Justice Senyo Dzamefe said that their work is a
fact-finding mission to set the records straight
on the Black Stars’ participation in the
quadrennial competition.

Before the commission rounds off its activities
and submits its report on November 14, the
three-man fact-finding body will from Tuesday,
re-invite some witnesses following fresh evidence
available to them.

According to Daily Graphic’s sources, witnesses
who are to reappear include the former Minister of
Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the GFA
General Secretary, Emmanuel Gyimah and GFA
Executive Committee member, George Afriyie.

The rest invited to testify include the World Cup
campaign Project Co-ordinator, Fred Darko, and
travel and tour agents, Sampson Deen and Ivan
Bruce Cudjoe.

Another person expected to testify next week is
the Director of Communications of GFA, Ibrahim
Sannie Daara and two Black Stars Management
Committee members, Yaw Boateng Gyan and Kwame
Ofosu-Bamfo, popularly known as Sikkens.

The Commission is touring some selected towns to
solicit views from stakeholders in the Ashanti,
Brong-Ahafo and Eastern Regions.

Participants included football administrators,
referees, footballers, coaches, the media and a
cross-section of football fans.

Justice Dzamefe indicated that it was appropriate
for the Commission to embark on a regional tour
to ascertain the views of all those who play
significant roles in matters relating to the
country’s sports industry.

The Commission, he said, would be meeting the
likes of Rashid Sumaila, Fatau Dauda and Stephen
Adams on October 29, adding that arrangements are
also being made for Kevin Prince Boateng, Michael
Essien and Sulley Muntari to appear before it.

Justice Dzamefe indicated that the Commission is
yet to receive the full list of the management
members who benefitted from bonuses paid to
officials during the World Cup from the Ghana
Football Association (GFA).

“We hope to get the full list before the close
of our work”, he stated.

Participants who appeared before the Commission
came up with several suggestions including the
need to scrap appearance fees for the Black Stars,
reducing winning bonuses, funding of the other
national teams, dissolving the Stars management
team and among others.

The Executive Director of IMANI Ghana, Franklin
Cudjoe earlier suggested the immediate dissolution
of the commission.

He was of the view that the startling revelations
of massive corruption and mismanagement of funds
by the organizers of the country’s participation
in Brazil must be a strong basis for ending the
commission’s work for prosecution to begin.

Source - Citifmonline

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