The president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, has described outgoing Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye as “irrelevant” to the work of the FA.
There have been tensions between officials of the GFA and Mr Vanderpuye over the payment of winning bonuses and the management of football, especially the Black Stars, ever since Mr Vanderpuye was appointed Sports Minister.
GFA officials have questioned his boisterous leadership style.
Mr Nyantakyi, while addressing a section of the media after the GFA Extraordinary Congress in Accra, said Mr Vanderpuye was no longer irrelevant, stemming from the fact that a new government will be sworn into office on January 7, which will appoint a new Sports Minister.
The GFA boss also said Mr Vanderpuye was a disappointment to his office for allowing his personal hatred towards him and the GFA affect his decisions.
“I think that it is important for us to appreciate the fact that anybody who finds himself in public office owes a duty to do well and follow procedure, law, and so forth without introducing mediocrity and any personal dislike for people,” he stated.
“His personal hatred for me or the GFA, I think, blighted his work and made him a big disappointment to that Ministry that he headed. It is very unfortunate, but that is the fact and I mean we can’t run away from the fact. It’s better he appreciates the fact and then move on. He is no longer relevant, the Minister is not relevant, let’s look ahead.”
