Brazil 2014: Yammin stirs controversy
With only three days till the Black Stars take on the USA at the 2014 World Cup, the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Joseph Yammin, has stirred the hornets nest by stating that majority of Ghanaian fans who will be sent to Brazil to support the team will come from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
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Speaking before the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah confirmed that 500 fans will be financed to Brazil, the minister in local dialect, Twi, implied that the move was in retaliation for the fate suffered by members of his party in 2006.
He alleged that the majority of supporters that were financed to the tournament in South Africa were members of the then ruling New Patriotic Party.
"Since they (NDC members) are Ghanaians, if the opportunity to go to the tournament arises our people will go. Of course, I will never deny it, they are our priority, they suffered to bring us to power. Why Should we leave them here? So that who will campaign for us when the time comes?
“If the government decides that we should send supporters to Brazil, then I will say it and say it again that everybody in Ghana will go but the majority will come from the NDC”, he stated.
The minister also recalled that in 2006, the ruling NPP also favoured their members when it came to deciding who made the trip.
"Didn't they do the same thing in 2006, out of about 250 people I'm told; I don't have any record to prove this. But the person I got the information from tells me of the 250 people that went to the World Cup only seven were NDC sympathisers.
"But, in 2010 even if we didn't send anyone, i know of Abilele, an NPP serial caller from Kumasi who went along with us. No matter what you do, in situations where government is financing fans the majority will come from the ruling party and no one can hide it.
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“We will always make a few slots available for you, so you must take it like that. But what should we do? We haven't decided yet, but I reiterate that, if fans will go to the World Cup, NDC sympathisers will be the majority to go.
“I won't be a hypocrite, they have to benefit from the party they brought to power otherwise how will they campaign next time?Those that are complaining, which of them will neglect their party faithful just because we are all Ghanaians?
“If you are in favour you can choose to support, if not do what pleases you. Those who really want to support will support and pray for the Black Stars for us to bring the trophy.
“If because of this they claim i will have to lose my position, I have done by duty. I know what they did to bring us power so they have to benefit”.
According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, government has secured the assistance of private corporate bodies to assist in sponsoring Ghanaians to support the national team at the World Cup.
The supporters will be airlifted in batches from June 13, 14, and 15 to Brazil.