The Ghana Hockey Association (GHA) has issued an immediate response to refute the false accusations and malicious comments made by Mr Kevin Taylor on his media platforms.
Taylor alleged that Mrs. Rita Asare and Mr. Isaac Graham embezzled funds meant for hockey players and officials who participated in the 13th African Games. The GHA categorically denies these claims, stating that they are baseless and intended to tarnish the reputation of its members and the Association.
To clarify the matter, the Ghana Hockey Association (GHA) asserts that the Ministry of Youth and Sports did not release any funds to be distributed to players and officials through the aforementioned individuals or any other member of the Association. All accredited athletes received their per diem directly from the Ministry at the Games village at the University of Ghana. No funds were given to Mrs. Rita Asare or Mr. Isaac Graham to be disbursed to players or officials. The GHA states in their press release that these claims can be corroborated by the Ministry, the Office of the Chef De Mission (CDM), Athletes and Officials of the GHA, as well as all athletes and officials of Team Ghana.
The final list of accredited Players and officials for Team Hockey was submitted by Team Managers and forwarded to the office of the CDM, as per the competition's requirements. Neither Mrs. Rita Asare nor Mr. Isaac Graham holds a financial position within the Association, and therefore, they could not have been involved in any financial transactions.
The GHA encourages the public to verify this information from all hockey Players and Officials, Athletes and Officials from all other disciplines that participated in the African Games, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), as well as the CDM for Team Ghana. The Association urges the general public to disregard Taylor's publication and trust in the transparency and integrity of the Ghana Hockey Association.