Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, the owner of Elmina Sharks, has raised concerns over the administration of the Ghana Premier League (GPL), accusing the Ghana Football Association (GFA) of conflict of interest and poor management.
The businessman expressed his frustration regarding several challenges the league faces, including the absence of a headline sponsor, a television broadcaster, and rising incidents of hooliganism. He cited these as significant issues hindering the competition’s development, further exacerbated by the recent tragic death of Asante Kotoko supporter Francis Frimpong (also known as Nana Pooley) during a Matchday 19 clash between Nsoatreman FC and Kotoko at Nana Kronmansah Park.
In an interview with GTV Sports Plus+, Dr. Nduom questioned the governance structure within the GFA, particularly the roles of club owners within the leadership.
“The people who run the league, there is a conflict of interest,” he stated. “Why should an owner of a team be President of the GFA, why should an owner of a team be a vice-president of the GFA?”
He expressed skepticism about the current leadership’s ability to bring about change, saying, “We can’t sack them because people’s hands are in their mouth. Can you go and sack the people who are there now? No.”
In the wake of Pooley’s tragic death, Elmina Sharks have also faced their own controversy. Reports surfaced that their players and supporters were allegedly involved in hooliganism during a Division One match against Swedru All Blacks, just weeks after Pooley’s death and during his one-week memorial.
“Isn’t it a consequence of what has been happening in the country?” Dr. Nduom remarked. “If you let people misbehave from Premier, Division One, Division Two, what do you expect? If I was not at the stadium, what do you think would have happened?”
Meanwhile, the GFA has charged Sharks’ player Jay Asamoah for breaching Section 13 (1) (k) of the GFA’s Disciplinary Code for allegedly assaulting referee Eso Doh Morrison during the match.
