They Say They Don't Want The Money...Scrap It - Nyantakyi Tells Minister

The President of the Ghana Football Association says the Association has informed the Sports Ministry of a decision to scrap a proposed amount provided for the media in its budget to the country�s Sports governing body ahead of Ghana�s participation in the 2013 Cup of Nations in South Africa. The Ghana Football Association its budget for the Black Stars had made a provision of $70,000 for the country�s journalists who will be covering the tournament. This according to the Association was a gesture made with good intentions to help cushion the journalists while they perform their duties at the tournament. �I've told the Minister of Sports to scrap the media relations provision ($70,000) we made because the people (journalists) who we have allocated this for, have kicked against the money. �They say they don't want it. We thought we were extending a helping hand due to cases we witnessed at certain tournaments were you would see journalists surrounding top officials requesting for money to support themselves,� GFA President revealed in an interview with Kumasi-based Angel FM. �Let me give you an example. At Germany 2006 (World Cup), right in my presence, I saw journalists surround politicians who joined us at the tournament saying; �Oh Honourable, since I came, I have not been able to settle my hotel bills�. And the Minister or MP will dig into his pocket and dash you some money...� �This made us to suggest that instead of these informal demands (by journalist), we budget for them so that at least we could give them about $200 or $500 (per head) to take care of themselves with it. That�s the rationale for it.� �However, if we have made such a provision and the media are criticizing it, it�s better to cancel it. So if we meet in South Africa, you know I have nothing for you; when going for the tournament, you prepare yourself adequately and I think it�s fair,� President Nyantakyi concluded. Mr. Nyantakyi also revealed the Germany World Cup example was one of the reasons the Ghana FA introduced the $50,000 allocation for the media at the South Africa World Cup, a gesture which almost all the Ghanaian media who covered the tournament have denied receiving even a dime from.