Former Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Ibrahim Sannie Daara, has refuted claims that the country’s football governing body is corrupt, describing such accusations as baseless.
Speaking on Atinka FM’s Legend Sports Show with Justice Adusi-Poku, Sannie Daara stressed that he does not agree with the perception that the GFA engages in corrupt practices.
“I don’t buy into the idea that the GFA is corrupt. That is not true,” he stated.
Currently serving as a Senior Media Officer at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), he believes that the GFA needs to be more transparent about its financial operations, including how it generates revenue and manages expenses.
“The GFA is a private entity, not a government institution. The only time the government collaborates with the GFA is when it comes to international competitions involving the national teams,” he clarified.
Sannie Daara explained that for major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, the GFA presents a budget to the government, which is reviewed and approved by the sports ministry, a designated official is then appointed to oversee and account for all expenditures.
During the interview, the host, Justice Adusi-Poku, referenced recent allegations made by Alhaji Grusah, owner of Kumasi-based King Faisal FC and a former Black Stars Management Committee member. Grusah had claimed that the GFA demanded a refund of 50% of his $100,000 honorarium from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In response, Sannie Daara dismissed the allegations of corruption, explaining that the reclaimed funds were redistributed to other essential staff members who played key roles in the Black Stars’ participation.
“Aside from the Management Committee, there were other staff members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including Henry Asante Twum, the GFA Communications Director, and Alex Asante. They also deserved compensation for their efforts,” he noted.
Sannie Daara concluded that during his time at the GFA, national team players often supported staff members who dedicated their time and resources to the team’s success.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates about financial accountability within Ghanaian football, as calls for greater transparency in GFA operations continue to grow.
source: Atinka Online
