Former Ghanaian footballer Ransford Osei has accused Frederick Acheampong (aka Achee), a member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council, of taking $20,000 from him under the pretext of facilitating his inclusion in the Black Stars squad for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Osei, then a prominent player in Ghana’s U-17 and U-20 teams, asserted that Acheampong’s actions adversely affected his career.
Osei had notably excelled in the 2007 U-17 Fifa World Cup, securing the Silver Ball in the tournament. His success continued with Ghana’s triumph in the 2009 U-20 Fifa World Cup.
Recalling the events in an interview with Daoc Sports, Osei revealed, “That day we arrived in Ghana and had to go meet the president, Fred Achee was calling and worrying, asking where I was. He did something that really hurt me. It hit my soul; that is why I am saying this. He ended my career.”
Osei alleged that he provided Acheampong with $20,000 for the purported process of securing a spot in the 2010 World Cup squad.
“I told him ‘Senior, please relax. I have been with you since U-17. When I went to sign my first contract in Israel, Maccabi Haifa, I went with you because I was a minor. When I came home, you said we need to do this and that. So I gave you $20,000 for that process.”
Expressing his frustration, Osei disclosed, “This issue I’ve told so many significant people, but you know in Ghana there is no truthfulness, so sometimes I don’t want to talk about it. He kept the money and didn’t give it to the people.”
The fallout became apparent when Osei discovered that he had been excluded from the 2010 World Cup squad. Acheampong reportedly justified the decision by stating that Prince Tagoe had taken Osei’s place due to age considerations and Osei’s potential for a longer career.
This allegation by Ransford Osei raises questions about the ethical conduct within Ghana football circles and emphasizes the need for transparency in the selection process for national teams.
The GFA Executive Council Member, Frederick Acheampong, has yet to respond to these accusations.
