Renowned Ghanaian prophet, Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah has stirred controversy by placing blame on investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas for the perceived decline in Ghanaian football. In an interview on Okay 101.7 FM in Accra, Owusu Bempah linked the dismissal of former Ghana Football Association (GFA) boss Kwesi Nyantakyi, following a corruption investigation by Anas, to the recent struggles of Ghana’s national football teams.
According to Owusu Bempah, Anas’ undercover investigation, which resulted in Nyantakyi’s removal, has had far-reaching consequences for Ghanaian football, particularly citing the poor performance of the national teams. The apostle expressed his discontent, claiming that the fallout from Anas’ expose has led to the collapse of Ghana’s football infrastructure.
The timing of Owusu Bempah’s remarks is noteworthy, as it remains unclear whether he spoke before or after the Black Stars’ 2-2 draw against Mozambique in the AFCON 2023 tournament. This result heightened the risk of Ghana’s elimination from the competition, adding weight to Owusu Bempah’s claims about the adverse effects of Anas’ investigation on the national team’s fortunes.
In the interview, Owusu Bempah went as far as labeling Anas a “criminal” and advocated for his arrest. However, he later withdrew the strong language, perhaps due to the insistence of the radio host. “Anas is the cause of our problems. What he did to Kwesi Nyantakyi was wrong. That’s why Ghana football is not thriving,” asserted Owusu Bempah in the Twi language.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas gained notoriety in 2018 when he released a documentary titled “Number 12,” which exposed alleged corruption within the GFA. The documentary implicated Nyantakyi in offenses related to accepting gifts, money, and selling influence. The fallout from the exposé resulted in Nyantakyi’s dismissal and marked a turning point in the Ghanaian football administration.
