Ghana’s President ‘Punishes’ Sports Minister, Deputy Over World Cup Exit?

* Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama

Following Ghana’s Black Stars early exit from the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup holding in Brazil, President John Dramani Mahama has reassigned the country’s sports minister and his deputy to other ministerial duties.

It could be recalled that a talented Ghanaian squad that included AC Milan’s Michael Essien and Al Ain’s Asamoah Gyan failed to advance beyond the group stage after losing to the United States and Portugal and secured a draw with Germany in their group.
According to a statement released from President John Dramani Mahama’s office on Saturday, 28 June, 2014, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah would become a junior minister at the presidency.

* Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah

Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Joseph Yammin was also reassigned to be a deputy minister in the Ashanti Region.
The statement said the moves were “part of ongoing changes in (Mahama’s) administration.”
The west African Nation’s exit from the Mundial was overshadowed by drama off the pitch as the Ghana Football Association, GFA, expelled two of their highest profile players, striker Kevin-Prince Boateng and troublesome midfielder Sulley Muntari from the team’s camp prior to their final group match against Portugal.

Ghana went on to lose to Portugal 2-1, hence their ouster from the world cup.

* Ghana’s Sulley Muntari tackles Toni Kroos of Germany in one of their matches in Brazil

Explaining why the two players were expelled from camp, the GFA stated that Muntari, who has a history of disciplinary problems, had assaulted a staff member and Boateng insulted coach Kwesi Appiah.
Boateng, one of the stars of the 2010 World Cup finals when Ghana reached the quarter-finals, has come out to deny the allegation.