A legal practitioner and candidate in the 2019 Ghana FA Presidential elections, has cautioned that even though it was initially thought to be unlikely, a re-election ruling is not entirely out of the question.
This scenario might be a shocking reality when the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) brings what is expected to be their final verdict on the case between the Ghana FA and Mr Wilfred Osei Palmer.
The Swiss based tribunal was expected to announce the outcome of what has been a prolonged challenge, having rescheduled the date of their ultimate decision from July 17 to August 4.
However, the ruling has once again been rescheduled to September 1, 2020 by the Court of Arbitration for Sports(CAS).
According to Miss Clinton, the Swiss-based court may not have confirmed its final verdict due to a back log of cases that have not been dealt. It could also be due to complex considerations presented to them and that a re-election ruling is not to be dismissed so easily.
Speaking to Yaw Ampofo Ankrah on the first edition of Sports Drive on Accra-based Max 89.7 FM, Miss Clinton was blunt. “It’s a very interesting case because ultimately, Palmer is essentially trying to say that other candidates had gone before the GFA Ethics Committee on issues such as professional match fixing, bribery, age changing, non-payment of fees allegations etc. In addition, we have some candidates mentioned in the Dzamefe Commission Report.”
Using both legal and ethical references, “A lot of us remember the Dzamefe Commission Report. It should have been made available to the vetting committee. And so how come just one candidate was excluded. My objective assessment is that they could have excluded all of them, which is at least 3 or 4 candidates or included all of them, failing which, they may have to hold a re-election. Which may happen,” She added.
The lawyer did however say that GFA President Kurt Okraku has carried out his duties to the best of his capabilities considering the distractions.
Profile of Amanda Clinton
Amanda is the Founding Partner of Clinton Consultancy and a dynamic lawyer who was called to the Bar in England and Wales thirteen years ago and the Ghanaian Bar ten years ago. Amanda is a litigation expert with extensive corporate law experience in the U.K and Ghana. As one of the most recognised commercial lawyers in Ghana, she is regularly instructed by international clients who require bespoke, timely and accurate Due Diligence Reports as well as Legal Opinions: corporate, banking, telecommunications, property & construction and energy & infrastructure.
Her firm also offers public-private partnerships services to clients.
