Chief Crusader of the Crusaders against Corruption, Emmanuel Wilson Junior, has taken a swipe at former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi for his intention to contest the Ejisu Constituency seat on the ticket of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mr Nyantakyi is currently one of the nine aspirants in the NPP’s parliamentary primaries race for the Ejisu constituency seat, after it became vacant on March 7, 2024, following the demise of the sitting MP and Deputy Finance Minister, Dr John Kumah.

However, Mr Nyantakyi’s decision to vie for the Parliamentary Candidate slot has stirred public controversy amidst questions over his integrity.

It is recalled that in June 2018, the then-GFA boss fell from grace at the peak of his career after he was filmed in Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Tiger Eye P.I.’s investigative documentary titled “Number 12”. The documentary captured Mr Nyantakyi and other top football administrators for alleged bribery, corruption and influence peddling, all compromising the integrity of the country’s football.  Mr Nyantakyi resigned from all his roles at the GFA, CAF and FIFA, and was eventually handed a lifetime ban from football by the FIFA Ethics Committee, which was later reduced to 15 years.

Owing to this history, many Ghanaians including anti-corruption crusaders have voiced their reservations over his intention to enter politics, especially setting sight on the law-making house. Prominent among them is a former Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Vitus Azeem who says Kwesi Nyantakyi cannot wave off public sentiments of perceived corruption, especially in the instance where he is presented with an appointment.

The latest to contribute to this growing discussion is the Chief Crusader of the Crusaders against Corruption, Emmanuel Wilson Junior. According to Mr Wilson, the former GFA Boss’ decision to venture into politics is bent on two things; legality and morality. He clarified that despite meeting the needed requirements of becoming a Member of Parliament as stipulated in Article 94 of the 1992 constitution, the issue of morality leaves much to be desired.

Emmanuel Wilson Junior further added that the 55-year-old former GFA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi’s admission of paying a whopping $100,000 as a bribe to kill the Anas’ expose in a recent interview has further muddied the waters.

“It raises so many questions and it bothers some of us in the sense that if Nyantakyi believes or has some level of credibility, it wouldn’t have even crossed his mind to want to go and contest not to talk of representing a whole constituency, such a person who has got a lot of questions and perceived corruption attitude”, he said.

In his interview with Class News, Emmanuel Wilson Junior noted that a victory for Mr Nyantakyi to parliament puts the image of parliament in disrepute.

Meanwhile, the vetting committee of the New Patriotic Party of Saturday 6th April, 2024 passed all 9 candidates including Kwesi Nyantakyi.

The parliamentary primaries is scheduled for Saturday 13 April, 2024.

Below is the full list of aspirants

1.  Kwesi Nyantakyi- Former President of the Ghana Football Association

2. Dr. Evans Duah- Lecturer, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED)

3. Lawyer Kwabena Boateng- Former Second Vice Chairman for Ejisu

4. Lawyer Portia Acheampong Abronye- Wife of Bono Regional Chairman of NPP, Kwame Baffoe known in political circles as Abronye DC

5. Abena Pokua Amoah- Ashanti regional NPP Women's Campaign Manager

6. Helena Mensah- Presiding Member of the Ejisu Municipal Assembly

7. Clinsman Karikari Mensah- Former Assembly Member for Onwe

8. Maame Yaa Aboagye- Downstream Consultant, Petroleum industry

9. Aaron Prince Duah- Former Assembly Member for Asienimpong