The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has put forward a proposal to increase the filing fee for the GFA presidential position from GHC 5,000 to GHC 50,000. The proposal is set to be discussed at a Congress meeting on July 10, 2023.
Ntow Fianko, the former Division One League Board Chairman, strongly disagrees with the proposal and believes it should be dismissed by Congress. He argues that the fee is unreasonable and would prevent individuals who genuinely have the interest of Ghana at heart from participating.
He also suggests that the proposal seems designed to discourage potential challengers to the incumbent, Kurt Okraku. Fianko points out the significant jump from GHC 5,000 to GHC 50,000 and questions the explanation of covering election costs, considering that similar elections have taken place in the past.
“How do people who have the interest of Ghana at heart afford such a fee? This is unreasonable and should be thrown out at the Congress meeting. Setting up this proposal looks like a scheme being set up to deter others from contesting the incumbent, Kurt Okraku. From GHC 5000 to GHC 50,000? And their excuse is to cover the cost of elections? This is not the first we are having such elections. Such an excuse is flimsy”, he said in an interview with Accra-based Happy FM.
The GFA is seeking approval from Congress to increase not only the presidential nomination fee but also the nomination fees for other positions within the association.
The nomination fee for the Executive Council has been proposed to rise from GHC 2,500 to GHC 15,000, while the Regional Football Association (RFA) nomination form will now cost GHC 10,000. Adjustments have also been proposed for fees related to the RFA slot on the Executive Council, District Chairman, and District Executive Council.
The GFA aims to secure the necessary approval for these proposed changes during the Congress meeting scheduled for July 10, 2023.
