Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has opened up about the emotional and personal damage caused by the famous Number 12 exposé, revealing how the public backlash deeply affected his family, especially his young daughter.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Mr. Nyantakyi described the period after the documentary’s release as the darkest time of his life. He explained that although he never watched the exposé himself, the reaction from the public made its impact impossible to escape.
According to him, society quickly turned against him, with friends, relatives and acquaintances distancing themselves after believing the allegations made in the documentary.
He said the experience was extremely painful but expressed appreciation to the few loyal friends who stood by him and offered support during that difficult period.
The former football administrator said the most heartbreaking moment came from his daughter, who was only nine years old at the time and attending Ghana International School. He recalled her asking a question that showed how deeply the accusations had spread in public discussions.
She asked him, “Daddy, is it true you are a thief?”
Mr. Nyantakyi explained that his daughter likely heard the comments on the radio while being driven to school, as he does not usually listen to the radio in his car. The question, he said, left him emotionally shattered.
He said he assured his daughter that the claims were false but admitted that such an experience causes lasting emotional damage.
Despite everything, Mr. Nyantakyi stated that he holds no bitterness toward investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who produced the documentary.
He made it clear that he has no personal issues with him.
The Number 12 exposé, released in 2018, exposed alleged corruption in Ghanaian football and led to Mr. Nyantakyi stepping down from his roles at the GFA, CAF, and FIFA.
