Kwesi Nyantakyi

Kwesi Nyantakyi
Born	Wa, Ghana
Occupation(s)	Banker, lawyer, football administrator
Known for	President of the Ghana Football Association (2005–2018)

Kwesi Nyantakyi is a professional from Ghana with backgrounds in banking, law, and football administration. He held the position of president of the GFA from 30 December 2005 until 7 June 2018, officially stepping down the next day. Prior to the public release of his resignation, FIFA had already enforced a 90-day suspension barring him from all football-related engagements while an investigation was underway.

His decision to resign came after investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas published footage depicting Nyantakyi accepting a bribe and asserting significant influence over national affairs. In a later interview, Nyantakyi refuted any involvement in match-fixing. On 30 October 2018, FIFA imposed a lifetime ban on him from participating in football activities; this sanction was subsequently reduced to a 15-year ban in October 2020 following an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Early life

Nyantakyi was born to a Waa mother and an Akan father originating from Kwaso in the Ashanti Region. He spent his formative years in Wa, where he completed his primary education.

Personal life

Originally raised as a Christian, Nyantakyi embraced Islam at age 47 after his mother remarried a Muslim man. He is wed to Christine-Marie Nyantakyi, and together they have two children.

President of GFA

On 30 December 2005, Nyantakyi was elected president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), prevailing over candidates Ade Coker and Kojo Bonsu. His leadership saw Ghana qualify for its inaugural appearance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, followed by qualifications for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, under his guidance, the Ghana U-20 team secured Africa’s only U-20 World Cup title in 2009. He has since stepped down from this role.

President of WAFU

In 2011, after FIFA suspended Amos Adamu, then-president of the West African Football Union (WAFU), Nyantakyi was appointed interim leader until elections occurred. On 31 May 2011, he was officially elected WAFU president for a two-year period. Running unchallenged in November 2013, he obtained a second term lasting another two years. Nyantakyi resigned from this position on 11 June 2018.

International football appointments

Nyantakyi has held several prominent roles on the international football stage, including:

• President of West African Football Union Zone B.
• Organizer for football events at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
• Member of the FIFA Associations Committee.
• Member of the FIFA Council.
• Vice President of the Confederation of African Football.

Awards

Nyantakyi earned notable acclaim within Ghana for his contributions as a football administrator. In 2012, he was ranked as the thirty-second most influential individual in Ghana.

Controversies

An undercover report by The Telegraph and Channel 4 implicated Nyantakyi alongside other officials from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in match-fixing schemes involving international friendly matches; however, World Cup fixtures were reportedly not affected. Nyantakyi rejected these claims, describing them as false and asserting that no misconduct had taken place.

In May 2018, following an exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo directed authorities to arrest Nyantakyi over accusations of fraudulent use of the President’s name. Deputy Chief of Staff Samuel Abu Jinapor confirmed this order, highlighting the President’s firm stance against corruption irrespective of rank. Jinapor emphasized that the GFA operates under national law and that Nyantakyi’s alleged conduct warranted judicial examination.

This controversy culminated in Nyantakyi’s resignation as GFA president on June 8, 2018, shortly after a meeting of the GFA executive committee. His departure followed FIFA Ethics Committee chairperson’s imposition of a provisional 90-day suspension barring him from all football activities both domestically and internationally.

See also

• Number 12 exposé