GFA is not corrupt – Sannie Daara

Ibrahim Sannie Daara, former Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has strongly refuted claims of corruption within the organization, describing such accusations as baseless.

Speaking on Atinka FM’s Legend Sports Show, Sannie Daara emphasized his disagreement with the perception that the GFA engages in corrupt practices.

According to Sannie Daara, “I don’t buy into the idea that the GFA is corrupt. That is not true.” As a Senior Media Officer at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), he acknowledges the need for greater transparency in the GFA’s financial operations.

The GFA is a private entity, distinct from government institutions. “The only time the government collaborates with the GFA is when it comes to international competitions involving the national teams,” Sannie Daara clarified. He explained that for major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, the GFA presents a budget to the government, which is reviewed and approved by the Sports Ministry.

Sannie Daara also addressed recent allegations made by Alhaji Grusah, owner of Kumasi-based King Faisal FC. Grusah had claimed that the GFA demanded a refund of 50% of his $100,000 honorarium from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Sannie Daara dismissed these allegations, explaining that the reclaimed funds were redistributed to other essential staff members.

“Aside from the Management Committee, there were other staff members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including Henry Asante Twum, the GFA Communications Director, and Alex Asante. They also deserved compensation for their efforts,” Sannie Daara noted. He emphasized that during his time at the GFA, national team players often supported staff members who dedicated their time and resources to the team’s success.

Sannie Daara’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about financial accountability within Ghanaian football. As calls for greater transparency in GFA operations continue to grow, his comments shed light on the organization’s financial management practices.