WHY EOCO MUST INVESTIGATE GFA’S FINANCIAL DEALINGS — A-PLUS EXPLAINS

Gomoa Central MP calls for independent scrutiny of Ghana football’s finances, citing concerns over transparency, accountability and performance

Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A-Plus, has called on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and examine its financial dealings.

In a statement shared on social media, A-Plus argued that Ghana’s football challenges cannot be attributed to a lack of talent or resources, but should prompt questions about transparency, leadership and how available funds are managed.

He drew comparisons between the achievements of Ghanaian musicians and the performance of the GFA, arguing that artistes such as Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and Samini have built successful careers despite operating without the same level of institutional and government support he believes football administration receives.

A-Plus questioned why the GFA, which benefits from financial support from government and international football organisations, continues to face public criticism over the state of the game.

His concerns included what he described as alleged financial mismanagement, claims of favouritism in Black Stars selections, questionable visa arrangements and disappointing results for Ghanaian football fans. These are allegations and criticisms expressed by A-Plus, not findings established by an investigation.

Calls for financial scrutiny

A-Plus urged EOCO to subject the GFA’s financial transactions to rigorous independent scrutiny and investigate any credible evidence of wrongdoing.

He also referred to international investigations into corruption within football governance, arguing that such cases should reinforce the principle that football institutions must be accountable for their financial decisions.

The MP directly addressed GFA President Kurt Okraku, whom he described as a friend, while questioning the association’s performance despite the resources available to it.

What EOCO’s mandate means

EOCO is Ghana’s specialised agency for investigating economic and organised crime. Its mandate includes investigating serious offences involving financial or economic loss, as well as matters such as money laundering and tax fraud. Prosecution is undertaken under the authority of the Attorney-General.

Any investigation into the GFA would need to establish whether there is credible evidence of offences falling within the agency’s mandate. A call for an investigation does not, by itself, establish that any individual or institution has committed a crime.

A-Plus’s intervention adds to public debate about accountability in Ghana football. Whether EOCO will act on his call, and whether any formal investigation has been opened in response to it, was not established in the available report.