Accra High Court acquits former Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi after five-year legal tussle

Kwesi Nyantakyi (right) during his time as Ghana Football Association president. Photo Credit: Ghana Football Association/X

An Accra High Court has acquitted former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi and his co-accused after five years of legal tussle.

The ruling, delivered by Her Ladyship Justice Marie-Louise Simmonds, came after the prosecution failed to call a single witness throughout the trial. Despite presenting five potential witnesses, the Republic was unable to secure testimony to the case.

The final witness refused to testify unless allowed to wear a mask—an unusual demand that further complicated proceedings. With no evidence presented, the court found no basis to continue the case.

A key factor in the decision was the Court of Appeal’s ruling on January 30, 2025, which reinforced the principle that a fair trial must be conducted within a reasonable timeframe. This emboldened the High Court to discharge the accused persons.

The case, which stemmed from an investigative exposé by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, initially rocked Ghana’s football community and led to Nyantakyi’s resignation in 2018.

Ghanaian football has struggled to gain its glory days back after exiting the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the Round of 16 stage before two successive group stage departures at the 2021 and the 2023 versions in Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively.

The Black Stars eventually failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Morocco later this year and are struggling in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers which resumes in March.