The GFA Appeals Committee has dismissed the Appeal against Ralph Gyambrah and has declared him qualified or eligible to contest the upcoming Brong Ahafo Regional Football Association election.
The BARFA Chairmanship election has been scheduled for Tuesday October 6. Below is the full decision of the Appeals Committee:
PANELISTS
1. ALHAJI FAROUCK SEIDU - VICE CHAIRMAN 2. OWUSU ANSAH AWERE - MEMBER 3. CLAUDE OPPON - MEMBER 4. DIVINE SUNU - MEMBER 5. KWAME TAKYI - MEMBER 6. DANIEL ODURO - SECRETARY
MR. RALPH GYAMBRAH, filed to vie for the position of the Brong Ahafo Regional Football Association’s Chairperson in the forthcoming elections. He was accordingly cleared by the Elections Committee in spite of a petition against his eligibility by Mr. Augustine Asante, the appellant herein. Dissatisfied with the said decision or recommendation Mr. Asante filed this appeal. His main ground is that Mr. Ralph Gyambrah is a co-owner or founder of a club by name D.C. United FC and also an Accra Representative of Berekum Chelsea. According to the appellant, this contravenes article 81(1) of the GFA Statutes.
Mr. Ralph Gyambrah in his response to the appeal admits that he is a co-owner of D.C. United FC and also an employee of Berekum Chelsea but denies that he holds a controlling interest in Berekum Chelsea. The appellant in his reply stressed that the catchword is “association” and therefore once Mr. Gyambrah is associated with two clubs in the same district he does not qualify to contest for the position of chairperson of the RFA.
Article 81(1) of the GFA Statutes states: “It shall be unlawful for any commercial enterprise (including holding companies and subsidiary companies), private persons or any other legal entity to have the controlling interest in more than one club.”
This provision in our view contemplates a situation where a person or any legal entity has some ownership right in more than one club to avoid conflict of interest. In fact, the catchword is controlling interest and not mere association. In the instant appeal, the appellant has woefully failed to demonstrate Mr. Gyambrah’s controlling interest in Berekum Chelsea to be caught by the provision. The appellant could not even prove that the candidate is really an Accra Representative of Berekum Chelsea in the face of his denial.
In the circumstances, we found the appeal to have no merit and same is hereby dismissed. Mr. Ralph Gyambrah therefore stands qualified or eligible to contest in the election for the position of chairperson of the RFA of Brong Ahafo.