Kwesi Nyantakyi, a former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has disclosed that investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, demanded $150,000 from him to kill the Number 12 documentary that ruined his reputation.
The documentary which was premiered on June 6, 2018, sought to highlight the level of corruption in football and among football administrators in Ghana, indicting then GFA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Prior to being handed a lifetime ban from football, which was later reduced to 15 years, Mr. Nyantakyi resigned from all his roles at the GFA, CAF and FIFA.
Speaking with Captain Smart on Onua TV’s morning show, Maakye Tuesday, April 02, 2024, Mr. Nyantakyi said Anas demanded $150,000 through his lawyers, to kill the story, but he could only come up with $100,000.
Anas’ lawyers, according to Nyantakyi, informed him that the amount was inadequate, and eventually released the documentary.
“Before the video was released, a former colleague at the GFA Exco, Adam Munkaila, took me to Anas’ lawyers, a certain Kwame Gyan, a lecturer at Legon. I met him at his residence around Westland and he told me Anas was his student and had informed him he needed $150,000 to kill the story.
“I had never been to his house before.
‘I gave them $100,000, but they told me the amount was inadequate and later went ahead to release the video,” Mr. Nyantakyi disclosed.
“After the video came out, I asked for a refund and even the refund was done in pieces. Today, they would bring $20,000, and the next day another $10,000. They were giving me stories, but eventually I got everything back,” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Anas told OnuaOnline his outfit will issue a statement soon.
I have no issues with George Afriyie but will never call him – Kwesi Nyantakyi
Mr. Nyantakyi has confirmed reports that he is interested in replacing deceased lawmaker John Kumah, whose untimely death occurred on Thursday, March 07, giving room for a by-election to replace his role.
Mr. Nyantakyi said he will ensure that football is revived if he becomes a Member of Parliament.
“I will ensure that the GFA takes back its past glory. I am a former President [of the GFA], so I see myself as an insider,” he said.
“Wherever I find myself I have to use my wisdom to help improve not only football but sports as a whole. I am also a lawyer, so I will use all that to help develop football,” he added.
The former Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) says he is in constant touch with many officials of the continent’s sport-governing body and even FIFA.
He said recently when CAF officials were in Ghana for the 13th African Games, he was apprised of all the activities regarding football ahead of the competition.
He says he continues to watch football and he is in an appeals process to overturn the 15-year ban imposed on him by football’s world-governing body.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is expected to open nominations for the Ejisu primary later today, Tuesday, April 02.
Mr. Nyantakyi says delegates have resolved to pick the forms on his behalf.
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