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CAS dismisses George Afriyie’s Election case against GFA
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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.
African leaders have been urged to strengthen political commitment and domestic investment to end preventable maternal deaths and AIDS by 2030.
The call comes as African health ministers and policymakers meet in Accra to deliberate on health financing, health security and universal health coverage across the continent.
Mr Edouard Bizimana, Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the African Union’s (AU) 25th Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra.
He said Africa needed increased domestic investment to build resilient health systems as it continued to grapple with infectious diseases and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Mr Bizimana, who is also Chairperson of the AU Executive Council, said although Africa accounted for nearly 17 per cent of the world’s population, it bore 24 per cent of the global disease burden while having less than three per cent of the global health workforce and only one per cent of global health expenditure.
“Despite maternal mortality declining by nearly 40 per cent since 2000, Africa still accounts for about 70 per cent of maternal deaths globally, while almost two-thirds of people living with HIV reside on the continent,” he said.
Mr Bizimana said the growing burden of NCDs was placing additional pressure on already stretched health systems.
“These figures are not merely statistics. They represent painful human realities, preventable losses and unacceptable inequalities, they remind us that health is not an expense it is a strategic investment and a prerequisite for our sovereignty and development. “he said.
Mr Bizimana said recent global health emergencies had exposed Africa’s vulnerability and underscored the need to expand local production of medicines and vaccines, strengthen the health workforce and improve emergency preparedness.
“Our citizens expect resilient health systems where every mother can give birth safely, every child has access to essential healthcare and every African enjoys quality health services regardless of where they live,” he said.
The two-day summit, being held ahead of the 20th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, has brought together health ministers, policymakers and health stakeholders to identify solutions to Africa’s health financing and security challenges.
Madam Florence Samizi, Tanzania’s Deputy Health Minister, called for stronger collaboration among AU Member States to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage.
The summit is being held on the theme: “Advancing Justice, Equality and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, Tuberculosis, Improving Maternal Health, Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases in Africa.”
The meeting is expected to adopt the Accra Declaration, a roadmap to strengthen Africa’s health systems and advance health sovereignty by 2030. -GNA
Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Political Science, Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato says the imprisonment of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will have little meaning unless it leads to a broader crackdown on illegal mining.
In a post on his Facebook page on the July 21, 2026, Dr. Zaato said the judgment should mark the beginning of efforts to completely eradicate galamsey and hold all those involved accountable, regardless of their political affiliation.
He said the country must work towards restoring polluted rivers, protecting forests and ensuring that people implicated in illegal mining activities are prosecuted.
According to him, those the President has publicly acknowledged to be involved in galamsey should face prosecution.
He called for the prosecution of district chief executives (DCEs), members of Parliament (MPs) and senior political party officials who have been accused of engaging in or supporting illegal mining.
Dr. Zaato further urged the government to take decisive action to end the destruction of the country’s forests caused by galamsey.
He maintained that the imprisonment of Chairman Wontumi would only have a lasting impact if it results in a comprehensive and impartial fight against illegal mining across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
