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CAS dismisses George Afriyie’s Election case against GFA
The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has dismissed the Appeal filed by George Akwasi Afriyie against the decision of the GFA Appeals Committee on the 2023 GFA Presidential Elections.
In a decision delivered to both parties on Monday, May 6, 2024, CAS upheld the decision of the Appeals Committee of the GFA and awarded costs against George Akwasi Afriyie.
George Akwasi Afriyie, the appellant in the case, has been ordered to pay an amount of CHF1,000.00 (one thousand Swiss Francs) to the GFA as a contribution towards legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration.
Aside from that, CAS also ruled that the costs of arbitration, which will be determined separately, shall be borne by George Akwasi Afriyie.
On September 29, 2023, George Akwasi Afriyie filed an appeal with CAS against the GFA with respect to the decision of the GFA Appeals Committee. In his appeal, George Akwasi Afriyie sought an order directing the GFA Elections Committee to allow him to contest for the office of President of the GFA.
He also sought an order nullifying any GFA presidential election conducted by the GFA pending the final determination of the case and an order directing the GFA to conduct fresh elections.
The GFA, which was represented in this matter by Ms. Naa Odofoley Nortey (Esq.), Beyuo & Company, and General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo (Esq.), contended that the Elections Committee and the Appeals Committee were right in disqualifying George Akwasi Afriyie and that he did not meet the criteria as set out in Article 30(3) of the GFA Statutes.
In its response, the GFA stated, amongst other things, that the endorsement of the appellant by one member of the GFA was made through a person whose name was not part of the list of authorised signatories of the club, a fact that the appellant, George Akwasi Afriyie, knew or should have known at the time of submitting the application to be false.
The GFA also stated that the appeal was without legal merit and could only reasonably be classified as forum shopping by the appellant on the basis of the same facts.
After due consideration of all the evidence produced and all submissions made, CAS concluded that there are no valid grounds to set aside the decision rendered by the GFA Appeals Committee and upheld the decision of the Elections Committee on the grounds that the appellant’s nomination, contrary to the statutes and regulations of the GFA, was supported by four instead of the five required members of the GFA.
The decision by CAS brings closure to the matter of George Akwasi Afriyie’s disqualification from the 2023 GFA Presidential Elections.
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
