Audio By Carbonatix
Football's governing body in Africa has been shown to be in a state of disarray, both in terms of finances and governance, an audit has revealed.
The investigation into the Confederation of African Football (Caf), carried out by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), found its accounting as "unreliable and not trustworthy". It highlighted transactions totalling more than $20m (ÂŁ15.4m) which either have "little or no supporting documentation" or were considered "higher risk".
One area the PwC audit suggested further investigating was "the role played" by Caf President Ahmad and his attaché, Loic Gerand, among others, in the deal with French company Tactical Steel. The company's financial dealings with Caf were described as "highly suspicious".
Mr Ahmad has already strenuously denied any wrongdoing with regard to this case.
The forensic audit - which was complicated by Caf's tendency to make most of its payments in cash - also suggested considerable reforms were needed throughout Caf.
The organisation's structure was described as being over-reliant on decisions made by the executive committee (ExCo), despite the latter meeting "once a quarter, resulting in delays in key decision-making and preventing managers of Caf departments from making timely business-critical decisions".
In addition, a lack of clarity in Caf's organisational structure has left departments "understaffed" and existing staff both "overworked" and "generally demotivated".
The confidential audit, a copy of which has been seen by the BBC, was carried out as part of the unprecedented decision to send the Secretary-General of football's world governing body, Fifa, to improve the way that Caf was run.
Concluding her six-month role in early February, Fatma Samoura presented her findings to leading figures in the Caf administration, who have said they will address the recommendations laid out by a joint Fifa/Caf taskforce.
These include, among others, a major restructuring of Caf's organisational hierarchy, introducing a term limit for both the president and ExCo members and the introduction of an ethics code.
Whether ExCo members are prepared to approve fundamental changes when they meet on Friday is another matter. But a statement this week made the right noises.
"More than 30 years of an outdated and patriarchal management at Caf have resulted in important shortcomings at all levels of operations," Caf said.
"Caf will persevere... to ensure that we achieve the highest international standards."
The damning audit highlights a raft of financial deals which require further investigation, with Caf President Ahmad, a 60-year-old from Madagascar, one of those under scrutiny.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Without discipline, Ghana risks a return to IMF – CPS Director warns
5 minutes -
Minority caucus demands immediate laying of BoG accounts before Parliament
9 minutes -
Black Sherif takes victory lap to Telecel Ghana HQ after 27th TGMA sweep
15 minutes -
Build inclusion into core of workplace culture – Telecel Ghana HR Director
20 minutes -
The youth are drowning – Vivies Dance and Theatre Academy sparks national conversation on addiction
24 minutes -
Bank of Ghana revoked GN Savings & Loans licence solely on insolvency grounds, not other alleged breaches — Lawyer for GN reveals
29 minutes -
Justice for Sale: How Ghana’s laws protect the powerful and punish the poor
34 minutes -
I wish some Ghanaians in US would go to school and improve themselves – Ambassador Smith
34 minutes -
2026 World Cup: Ghana’s Ambassador to US dismisses reports that only 3 out of 150 supporters secured visa
36 minutes -
Afoko calls for research-driven strategy to rebuild NPP ahead of 2028 elections
49 minutes -
Guinness Ghana Annual Golf Championship set for May 30 at Achimota Golf ClubÂ
59 minutes -
Ghana to announce World Cup squad on June 1 – Kurt Okraku
2 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile dicusses attack on free speech and return of GN Bank
2 hours -
Panic in Sunyani: Chiefs to perform rituals after mystery deaths of two successive headteachers
4 hours -
The party has lost ground – Paul Afoko breaks long silence to launch NPP comeback
4 hours