Investigation Urged in Ghana Football Association Bus Scandal
Renowned anti-corruption advocate, Edem Senanu, has called for a thorough investigation into the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) bus scandal, with a view to prosecuting those found responsible for any wrongdoing.
An investigative report by Joy Sports uncovered a GHC5.1 million deal awarded by the GFA to its Chief of Staff, Michael Osekere, for the procurement of buses for Division One and Women’s Premier League clubs. This transaction raised serious concerns about conflicts of interest within the association.
Last November, GFA President Kurt Okraku handed over nine buses to Division One clubs in a bid to address their transportation challenges. However, the quality and safety of the vehicles came into question when former GHALCA Chairman, J.Y. Appiah, described them as “16-year-old death traps.” Some clubs have even been asked to return the buses, which remain unregistered and immobile.
Each bus reportedly cost over GHC500,000, a price deemed excessive for vehicles that are currently not in service.
Senanu, speaking on Joy FM’s News Night program, emphasized the importance of a transparent procurement process, highlighting the need for competitive bidding in such transactions.
“It spells fraud. That’s what we call corruption. When there are clear efforts to manipulate the process for personal gain, it undermines trust in the system,” Senanu stated.
He further added, “If discrepancies in reporting and pricing exist, it amounts to corruption. Those responsible must be held accountable for attempting to defraud the state of scarce resources.”
Documents obtained by Joy Sports revealed that the GFA engaged in a sole-sourcing deal with Freightgistics Ghana Company Ltd to acquire the buses from World Trade Co. Ltd in Incheon, Korea. Of concern was the fact that Freightgistics Ghana Company Ltd is directed by Michael Osekere, the GFA’s Chief of Staff, raising serious conflict of interest issues.
(Additional reporting by Muftawu Nabila Abdulai)
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