Former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has admitted to paying $100,000 to investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas in an attempt to block the release of an investigative video that ultimately led to his downfall.
The video, released by Anas in June 2018, exposed Nyantakyi, along with several other football administrators and officials, engaging in actions compromising the integrity of the game on a massive scale.
Following the video’s release and public humiliation, Mr Nyantakyi resigned from all his positions at the GFA, CAF, and FIFA. He was subsequently handed a lifetime ban from football, later reduced to 15 years.
Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Onua TV, Mr Nyantakyi recounted how a former colleague at the GFA Exco, Adam Munkaila, facilitated the meeting between him and Anas’ lawyer, Kwame Gyan.
He revealed that Anas had initially demanded $150,000 through his lawyers to suppress the story, but he could only raise $100,000.
“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.”
“After the video was released, I requested a refund, which was provided in instalments,” Nyantakyi said. “They would bring $20,000 one day and $10,000 the next. Despite their excuses, I eventually received the full amount.”
Nyantakyi has announced his intention to contest in the Ejisu by-election following the death of the area’s Member of Parliament, John Kumah. He will run on the ticket of the governing NPP.
Kwesi Nyantakyi, former GFA boss, alleges that he paid Ghanaian investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a sum of $100,000 to kill the incriminating documentary he had on him but Anas said the amount was not sufficient and demanded $150,000.
pic.twitter.com/TdEVtaod0N— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) April 2, 2024
