Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has come out in passionate defense of former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi, strongly claiming that Nyantakyi’s 2018 removal was orchestrated by sabotage and individuals driven by “selfish interests” within Ghanaian football.
During an emotional Instagram Live session, Gyan lamented the subsequent decline of football in Ghana since the former CAF Vice President’s exit. He praised Nyantakyi as a leader who prioritized unity and progress, stating that Nyantakyi’s refusal to indulge “selfish agendas” and the “yesa massa” culture made him a target for those who sought to exploit the system for personal gain.
Gyan highlighted Nyantakyi’s significant achievements, including Ghana’s consistent qualification for the FIFA World Cup and Nyantakyi’s influential position as CAF Vice President. He argued that Nyantakyi “was leading us somewhere,” but his resistance to internal demands led to him being sabotaged and ultimately removed from his role.
The former striker questioned the state of the sport since Nyantakyi’s controversial departure, asserting that the current stagnation and lack of progress are a direct result of detractors prioritizing their personal interests over the development of Ghanaian football.
Allegations
Kwesi Nyantakyi’s resignation as Ghana Football Association (GFA) President in June 2018, along with his removal from his roles at CAF and FIFA, stemmed from an explosive undercover investigative documentary titled “Number 12” by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
The central allegations against Nyantakyi were based on the video evidence, which showed him:
- Appearing to Accept a Bribe: He was filmed allegedly accepting a cash gift of US$65,000 from undercover reporters posing as businessmen seeking sponsorship deals in Ghana.
- Influence Peddling: Nyantakyi was also filmed allegedly using the name of the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and other senior government officials to secure favourable business deals, which the Ghanaian government classified as defrauding by false pretenses.
Following the exposé, the President of Ghana ordered Nyantakyi’s arrest for questioning. FIFA’s Ethics Committee also initiated a formal investigation, placing a provisional 90-day ban on him from all football activities. Nyantakyi resigned shortly after the provisional FIFA ban was announced.
