The government of Ghana, through the sports ministry, has responded to FIFA’s threat of a ban if it did not back out of the processes it has initiated to liquidate the Ghana Football Association.

The world football governing body released a statement asking the government to withdraw their petition to liquidate the Ghana Football Association by Monday, August 27 or face a ban from all football-related activities. FIFA said government's stance is “undue influence in the affairs of the GFA in contravention of Article 19 of its rules and regulations”.

But in a response to FIFA signed by Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah, government has reminded FIFA that ‘the laws of Ghana prohibit the existence of a company which operates for illegal purposes’, saying the GFA is registered as a company limited by guarantee under the laws of Ghana and will have to operate within its laws.

“Ghana recognises the mandate of FIFA to administer football globally. GoG is not interested in interfering with the administration of football in Ghana, save to enforce its domestic laws and to ensure that the game is devoid of corruption and other forms of illegality.”

The government’s 12-paragraph letter to FIFA also requested further engagements with FIFA with a view to charting the way forward.

Below is the full statement.