The Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association has reaffirmed its decision to back the candidature of the sport body's President, Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi for the vacant seat of the Western Zone B on the Confederation of African Football - CAF - Executive Committee.
Their declaration on Thursday was in response to the Sports Ministry's letter dated 9th November, 2010 that sought to impose Abedi Pele as the candidate against that of Kwesi Nyantakyi for the running of the CAF Executive Committee position.
Article 18 (3) of the CAF Statutes mandates the relevant National Association to put forward the names of candidates, which is contrary to the Sports Ministry's moves.
“The decision of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) was pursuant to Article 18 (3) of the CAF Statutes which states that "Names of candidates for membership of the CAF& FIFA Executive Committees shall be submitted by the relevant National Association at least ninety (90) days before the date of the General Assembly of which this item is on the agenda. All outgoing members are eligible for re-election".
“We wish to remind you that in response to our request, the Ministry wrote back as per letter reference NE. 115/174/01/01 dated 13th July, 2010 informing the GFA of Government's support for Mr. Nyantakyi's candidacy.
“Subsequent to this, the FA forwarded Mr. Nyantakyi's nomination to CAF, which body has since written bock to acknowledge receipt of the same.
“The Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) finds this latest twist as unfortunate and clearly confusing.
“Under the circumstances enumerated, we write to inform you that the Executive Committee of this FA (whose members names and signatures are attached to this letter) is unable to act or take any further action on your request,” portions of the Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association's response read.
The response of the FA's Executive Committee was signed by its 22-members and copied to the executive arm of the Ghana government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, FIFA, CAF and Abedi Pele.