The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has submitted a proposal to raise the filing fee for the GFA presidential position from GHC 5,000 to GHC 50,000.
The proposal will be deliberated upon at a Congress meeting scheduled for July 10, 2023.
Ntow Fianko, the former Division One League Board Chairman, strongly opposes the proposal and believes it should be dismissed by Congress. He argues that the fee is unreasonable and would hinder individuals who genuinely have Ghana's best interests at heart from participating in the presidential race.
Fianko further suggests that the proposal appears to be a tactic to discourage potential challengers to the incumbent, Kurt Okraku. He questions the significant jump from GHC 5,000 to GHC 50,000 and doubts the rationale of covering election costs, considering similar elections have taken place in the past.
In his statement, Fianko emphasizes the financial burden imposed by the proposed fee and urges Congress to reject it. He asserts that the fee increment seems to be a strategic move to dissuade competition and favors the incumbent.
“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 Happy FM.
The GFA seeks not only to increase the presidential nomination fee but also the nomination fees for other positions within the association. The nomination fee for the Executive Council is proposed to rise from GHC 2,500 to GHC 15,000, and the Regional Football Association (RFA) nomination form will now cost GHC 10,000. Adjustments to fees for the RFA slot on the Executive Council, District Chairman, and District Executive Council are also part of the proposal.
During the Congress meeting on July 10, 2023, the GFA aims to gain approval for these proposed changes. However, Fianko urges Congress to reject the fee increase, highlighting its potential to hinder fair and inclusive participation in the GFA elections.
