Anxiety rises in football circles as Anas' video exposes corrupt practices

Internationally acclaimed investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas is at it again, three years after his exposé on the Judiciary, which was described as the biggest scandal in Ghana’s justice delivery system.

What Anas has up his sleeve now, titled: “Number 12: When Misconduct and Greed Become The Norm”, is scheduled to air on June 6, 2018.

It promises to expose greed and corruption in Ghana’s football.

Issues of bribery in the form of livestock and money to influence the showing of red cards, player selection and the award of penalties are said to be regular occurrences in Ghana football.

The video has been labelled in some circles as bigger than the judicial scandal.

Already, some administrators of football have dared Anas and his team to come on with their so-called exposé because they are men of integrity who have run Ghana football without blemish over the last few decades.

Ironically, Anas has not mentioned any name.

Snippets of exposé

Snippets of information picked up by the news team of the Daily Graphic hint of the exposure of the corrupt practices in football, such as influencing referees, match fixing, sponsorship and player transfer.

The Daily Graphic has also learnt that whatever will come out of this exposé, be it big or small, Ghana football will not be the same again.

How many shows?

The video will be premiered at the Accra International Conference Centre on June 6 and 7, 2018.

There will be three shows per day — 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The video will also be shown at the new GCB Auditorium at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi on June 9 and 10, 2018.

The people of Tamale will have their turn to watch the video at Radach Hotel on June 13, 2018, while those in Takoradi will have the opportunity at Akroma Plaza on June 16, 2018.

The acting Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Ransford Tetteh, said: “As the print media partner, we have some tickets for readers. The terms and conditions will be unveiled in the coming days.”

 Football and scandal

Scandals are not new in football administration here in Ghana and abroad and even in the world football governing body, FIFA, whose immediate past President, Sepp Blatter, had to resign because of corruption.

The BBC once aired some videos on alleged corruption in football administration.

Here in Ghana, we remember the Justice Dzamefe Commission which was set up to investigate the brouhaha that surrounded Ghana’s participation in the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

Works of Anas

Anas is noted for coming up with videos on corruption in some public institutions.

His exposés have led to some reforms, convictions and dismissals.

Key among his works are: the exposé at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), dubbed “Soul-Takers”, a documentary on the deviant acts of public officials that lead to the carnage on our roads and highways, and the documentary dubbed: “Enemies of the Nation” on serious bribery and corruption at the Tema Harbour.

The late President Mills stormed the Tema Harbour in February 2011 when the video was released.

Many Customs officers were fired, while revenue collection improved instantly after the exposé.

On September 26, 2018, eight accused persons were jailed by the Accra Fast Track High court for aiding and abetting in the smuggling of cocoa.

They were jailed a total of 16 years with hard labour.

The trial judge, Mr Justice Bright Mensah, found the accused persons guilty of aiding and abetting in the smuggling of cocoa out of the country.

It was a scene of wailing and loud cries when the convicts were being escorted out of court to begin their prison terms of two years each.

Each of the convicts was caught on hidden camera.