George Afriyie calls for deeper reforms in Ghana football

Former Ghana Football Association vice-president George Afriyie has called for extensive reforms within Ghanaian football's governing body. In an interview on Sporty FM, Afriyie emphasized that the GFA's governance structure must undergo comprehensive changes, extending beyond the issues currently under discussion. He stressed the necessity of addressing deeper structural and administrative concerns to enhance accountability within the country's football federation.

Afriyie urged that the ongoing debate should centre on broader institutional reforms. He also questioned the willingness of beneficiaries of GFA opportunities to speak critically about the association, citing examples like Takyi's trips abroad for GFA-affiliated events, yet his reluctance to speak out. This, Afriyie argued, underscores the urgency for reforms that would bolster governance and accountability in Ghanaian football.

The former GFA vice-president also criticized the Normalisation Committee, established during the 2018 football crisis, for failing to tackle underlying issues. Afriyie highlighted concerns over the powers granted to the Executive Committee (ExCo), which can make significant decisions without adequate input from Congress. He pointed out that the ExCo, now comprising about 12 members, has been granted extensive powers without needing to refer to Congress.

Afriyie also revealed that the GFA had registered two companies and questioned the allocation of representatives and shares to these entities. He noted that these practices raise questions about FIFA president Gianni Infantino's ability to address the situation. His remarks come as there is renewed momentum for reform in Ghanaian football, with governance, accountability, and decision-making power distribution among the primary concerns.

The GFA identifies its Congress as the ultimate legislative body, while the Executive Committee is tasked with managing the association's affairs within the scope of its statutes.