Former president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) ,Kwesi Nyantakyi, has reentered the spotlight following his recent interview on Onua TV, aired on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
During the interview, Nyantakyi made several surprising revelations and allegations that sparked widespread discussion and debate.
Amidst the myriad of claims, there were five particularly noteworthy statements that garnered significant attention and fueled numerous conversations.
Here, we explore five key remarks made by Kwesi Nyantakyi during his televised interview.
- Admitting to paying a $100,000 bribe to kill number 12 documentary
Kwesi Nyantakyi claimed that he offered $100,000 to Anas Aremeyaw Anas in exchange for not including his involvement in the Number 12 documentary.
He provided detailed accounts of the alleged discussions and financial transactions that occurred prior to the documentary’s broadcast.
Nyantakyi implicated several notable individuals who were aware of the situation and played roles in facilitating the arrangement, ultimately leading to his purported payment of $100,000 to Anas.
According to Nyantakyi, he received a reimbursement after his segment was featured in the documentary, which aired in 2018.
“Before the video was released, a former colleague at the GFA Exco, Adam Munkaila, took me to Anas’ lawyer. 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 gave them $100,000, but they told me the amount was inadequate and later went ahead to release the video,” Nyantakyi said in an interview with Captain Smart on Onua TV on Tuesday morning.
“After the video came out, I asked for a refund and even the refund was done in instalments. 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 said.
2. Becoming a Minister of Sports
The ex-CAF vice president declared his eagerness to seize the chance to serve as a sports minister in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
He indicated that the prospect of taking on the role under the NPP government is feasible, whereas it appears improbable under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership.
“If NPP comes and they make me a sports minister, I may consider it but if the NDC comes and they consider me, it will be difficult.”
Nyantakyi has transitioned into politics and is set to contest the NPP parliamentary seat in the Ejisu Constituency.
3. Relationship with George Afriyie
The ex-GFA president discussed his rapport with his former vice president, George Afriyie.
He clarified that while there are no hostilities between them, he does not consider Afriyie to be a close friend.
“I have no issues with George Afriyie,” he confessed.
“If someone offends me, I don’t keep it in me; and I’ve let go of everything but I will not call him. He’s not my friend that I call for us to sit somewhere or go to the bush canteen to eat fufu,” said Nyantakyi.
4. Apology to Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo
Nyantakyi apologised to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for using their names in the documentary.
“I admit I was wrong to mention the President [Akufo-Addo] and his Vice [Dr Mahamudu Bawumia] in that incident. I am sorry and I hope they forgive me,” he said.
5. Ghana football has declined
During the interview, Kwesi Nyantakyi offered his thoughts on the state of Ghana football, implying that he was the glue that held the sport together.
Nyantakyi claimed that Ghanaian football has been in decline since he stepped down from his position in 2018.
“Ghana football has declined since I left. Since 2019, we have consistently exited tournaments in the first round or even during the group stage. So, if you plot it on a graph, you’d see a sharp decline.”