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BLUNDER: New sports minister Vanderpuije in first cock-up, blames GFA even though govt airlifts cash

By ghanasoccernet.com
Sports News Nii Lante
FEB 10, 2016 LISTEN
Nii Lante

Sports minister-designate, Nii Lante Vanderpuije, has demonstrated that he is rusty when it comes to issues of the industry by claiming that the Ghana FA airlifts money to players when in fact it is government that airlifts the cash to players of the national team.

The former sports journalist displayed his ignorance when he fired his first salvo at the GFA by claiming he would have problems with the federation if bonuses for players are airlifted to the Black Stars.

In a wide ranging interview calculated to show a hardline approach towards the GFA, the in-coming minister embarrassed himself by implying that the GFA is neck deep in flying money to pay the bonuses of the players.

Yet it is the sports ministry that flies the cash to pay for players bonuses with the GFA completely left out of the process as accountants from his own office are responsible for paying the players.

When asked if he would have a good working relationship with the body mandated to run the country's popular sport, Vanderpuije said he would only have a stand-off with the GFA if the bonuses are airlifted - showing he is not up to scratch with events at the ministry.

'I have no problem with the GFA and don't think I will have problems with the GFA. Under my watch, we will never airlift monies to pay bonuses of national teams. Anyone who does that will have a problem with me,' Vanderpuije said.

It would be recalled that President John Mahama authorized the flight of over $4 million to Brazil for the payment of Black Stars' 2014 World Cup appearance fees after learning about the unrest in camp after several failed government promises to the players.

The White Paper on the Dzamefe Commission of Inquiry recently recommended that monies should not be flown to any tournament for the payment of remuneration of national teams or persons.

Measures have already been put in players as the Black Stars are now paid in cheque are through their bank accounts in the country.

Vanderpuije already has a fractious relationship with the GFA as nearly six years ago he was part of the group of members of the ruling NDC party seeking to overthrown elected members of the federation in militaristic fashion.

They succeeded in removing BT Baba from office as the chairman of the Ghana Olympic Committee through a military style election at dawn when some candidates were told that voting would be held the next day.

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