The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is facing criticism for their silence following a sports journalist’s claim that he was assaulted in the Black Stars camp before the international friendly against Mexico on Saturday.
Seidu Adamu, a Ghanaian sports journalist based in the United States, alleged that he was assaulted by an individual named Aziz, who serves as the security personnel for the national team when he visited the Black Stars’ hotel in Charlotte.
Adamu reported that he did not sustain major injuries but experienced pain in his neck and arm, along with bruises around his ears. This led him to change his initial decision to travel to Tennessee for Tuesday’s friendly against the USA.
I swear with my life, anyone who tells a LIE about the unprovoked attack on me at the Black Stars Hotel in Charlotte will regret ever coming into contact with me pic.twitter.com/6GaC2aKvxi
— Chief Seidu Adamu ?? (@Chiefseiduadamu) October 18, 2023
Despite three days passing since Adamu’s statement, there has been no official comment from the GFA or any condemnation of the alleged act. Aziz, who was expected to be dismissed, is reportedly still present with the team.
The Ghana FA’s silence has prompted widespread criticism, with Ghanaians taking to social media to express their disapproval of the GFA’s handling of the situation, and Kurt Okraku, the head of the GFA, has come under scrutiny as a result.
A journalist gets attacked at a national team camp, GFA does not publicly condemn the action; how can this institution fight hooliganism?
This very action has emboldened fans and club officials. Because, where’s your moral compass for punishing others for doing same?
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) October 18, 2023
We need to fight for Seidu. It could be you or me the next time. This is why independent journalism always wins. Every right thinking independent journalist must condemn this act.
I have always been very measured in my approach to issues. This one too. I am appalled.
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) October 18, 2023
It is very irresponsible that the Ghana Football Association has not even acknowledged the attack on @Chiefseiduadamu, not less talk about condemning the act and sanctioning the culprit. We will not accept this reckless attitude. I will not stop talking about this matter.…
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) October 18, 2023
.@SannieDaara boss you were so good at your job and you made covering the Black Stars awesome for me! I remember how 2017 in the Texas, Houston you gave me your room to rest and record my show. Why have you not condemned the attack on Seidu Adamu? Your silence is worrying
— Benedict Owusu (@KwesiBenedict) October 18, 2023
A matter of press freedom
Let’s remind the @moysgovgh of its mandate. They have a direct supervisory role over all national teams including the @GhanaBlackstars as they hold the various national teams in the trust of Ghanaians.
The team cannot therefore travel for friendly…
— Jerome Otchere (@JeromeOtchere) October 18, 2023
Looks like the GFA sees nothing wrong with the Seidu Adamu assault or it didn’t happen. Because this silent treatment is so loud.
— George Duah (@georgeduah_) October 16, 2023