NSA records exonerates George Lutterodt

An investigation by the Graphic Sports has uncovered a document that further seeks to exonerate former Athletics Chief Coach, George Haldane Lutterodt of an alleged visa racketeering deal during Ghana’s participation at the IAAF World Championship in Edmonton, Ghana, from August 4 to 12, 2001.

A US based coach of the national athletics team, Dr Andrew Owusu has noted that the former athletics chairman was involved in visa racketeering scandal when Ghana participated in the World Championships in Edmonton, Canada.

This allegations by Dr Andrew Owusu made on an Accra based FLEM station ahead of a national election by the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) is believed to have dented the image of Mr Lutteordt,who was a contestant in the election and swayed votes in favour of his opponents.

But documents sighted by the Graphic Sports from the National Sports Authority(NSA) indicated that  Mr Lutterodt was appointed chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association on November 27, 2001 by then Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NSA, Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah.

His appointment was therefore after the Edmonton Games where the alleged visa racketeering scandal occurred.

In the said letter of appointment which elaborated the re-constitution of membership of the National Sports Association in accordance with the SMCD.54 (L.I.1088) Part 1, Section 6(1), it mentioned George Lutterodt as the chairman of the GAA with 10 other members.

They are Mr Dzokoto, Mr W.M. Kofi, D.R.K. Asare, Dr H.A.K.A Pufaah and DR S.L. Lamptey. The rest are Miss Belinda Abodjan, Dr Adjepong, Miss Rosalind Amoh, Prince Oduro and a GUSA Representative.

Sometime late last year, in a highly sensitive and drama filled campaign for the chairmanship position of the GAA;the two-front runners Professor Francis Dodos and Mr George Lutteordt were neck and neck in the race.

Few days to the election, Dr Andrew Owusu, a national team coach, who was sympathetic to Professor Dodoo stated in an Accra based FM station that, Mr Lutterodt was engaged in  a visa racketeering syndicate while a chairman of the GAA from 2001 to 2004.

The former Athletics chief then sought legal redress to clear his name and has since sued the athletics coach for GHC5,OOO,OOO in damages.