The three-member committee formed to mediate in the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) fracas has presented its report to the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA).
Chaired by Prof. Aboagye Menyeh with Richard Quarshie and Ms Akua Pokuaa Kwarteng as members, the committee was tasked to find a solution to the impasse that has put the GAA’s Congress on hold and make recommendations to guide future operations of the association.
Presenting the report yesterday, Prof. Menyeh stated that its outcomes and recommendations were arrived at after hearing the parties involved in the impasse.
The Prof. Menyeh committee recommended that persons nominated for more than one position should be informed about it to settle on one after which a publication be effected by the Secretary General for delegates to become fully aware of persons running for the various positions.
It also proposed that ex-presidents or chairmen can be made ordinary members without voting rights but that will be subject to Congress approval.
That, Prof. Menyeh explained, will give due recognition to past officials and also allow for them to bring on board their experience for the further development of the sport.
The committee also averred that even though the GAA constitution gives exclusive power to the executives to decide on date, venue and time of congress, the Secretary General should provide that information to the nominated persons early enough.
That will afford them adequate time to prepare for Congress and also canvass for votes.
The committee also advised that the Secretary General send members’ minutes of the General Assembly few days before Congress to allow them ample time to peruse it to be approved instead of the constitutional provision that allows the executive to make it available on the day of congress.
It proposed a mutual agreement between the factions for the elections to be held and that aggrieved parties be afforded more time by the GAA to know the delegates nominated for the various positions.
It also called on the GAA to fix the election date for not less than a month from the date the parties reach an agreement and have terms of settlement entered in court.
Receiving the report, the NSA boss, Prof. Peter Twumasi commended the committee members for completing the work ahead of the GAA’s next appearance in court on April 29.
“I am happy the report is ready. That will help us meet the court’s deadline to report on the progress made after it advised the parties to use internal mechanism to determine the matter,” he said.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
