Elmina Sharks Owner Paa Kwesi Nduom Accuses GFA of Conflict of Interest in Premier League Management
Paa Kwesi Nduom, the owner of Elmina Sharks, has publicly criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA), alleging a significant conflict of interest in the management of the Ghana Premier League (GPL). His comments come amidst ongoing challenges facing the league, including poor officiating, the lack of a headline sponsor, and the absence of broadcast rights holders.
In an interview with GTV Sports Plus, Nduom expressed his frustrations, pointing out the problematic overlap between club ownership and GFA leadership. “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 questioned, highlighting the governance issues that he believes hinder the league’s progress.
Nduom’s remarks were further underscored by the recent escalation of violence in Ghanaian football, notably the tragic stabbing of Asante Kotoko supporter Francis Frimpong, known as “Pooley,” during a match against Nsoatreman. This incident has raised serious concerns about safety in the league, prompting calls for accountability.
The Elmina Sharks have also been embroiled in controversy, as reports suggest that both players and supporters were involved in acts of hooliganism in a recent match against Swedru All Blacks. This occurred less than three weeks after Pooley’s death, exacerbating tensions in the sport. Nduom emphasized the repercussions of allowing misconduct to persist across all levels of football, stating, “If you let people misbehave from Premier, Division One, Division Two, what do you expect?”
Compounding the situation, Elmina Sharks player Jay Asamoah has been charged by the GFA for allegedly assaulting referee Eso Doh Morrison during a match, breaching the GFA’s Disciplinary Code.