They won the GPL through bribery and corruption
Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe is a Ghanaian politician, football administrator and physician who served as the president of the Ghana Football Association from 2001 to 2005 and as Ghana’s ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro from 2005 to 2009 ¹. He is also a founding member of the New Patriotic Party.
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) chairman, Dr Nyaho- Nyaho Tamakloe, has launched a scathing attack on corruption that has engulfed the Ghana Premier League.
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He served as the President of the Ghana Football Association from 2001 to 2005
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He served as Ghana’s ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro from 2005 to 2009
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He is a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
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He was a member of the Accra Hearts of Oak Management Chair and Board in the 1980s
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He published his autobiography, “Never Say Die!: The Autobiography of a Ghanaian Statesman,” in 2013
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He was born on May 7, 1942, in Adabraka, Accra
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He is a medical doctor, and his practice has taken him to Nigeria, the United States, and Ghana, where he joined the Ghana Armed Forces in 1972
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He supported John Mahama over his nephew’s party, the NPP, in the 2016 elections
In an exclusive interview with 3FM, the Hearts of Oak Board Member questioned the dominance of Samartex FC, who won the 2023/24 League title despite losing only one home game out of 17.
Tamakloe suggested that the unknown club’s impressive record is linked to bribery and the influence of betting companies.
“Unfortunately, the issue that we have in national politics has found its way into football,” he said. “Very sad! You ask yourself how can one unknown club win 16 out of 17 matches on their home ground. If you are a bit into football, ask yourself this simple question. And the 16 matches that they won on their home grounds gave them about 48 points, making them winners already. And this is through corruption and bribery.”
Tamakloe expressed frustration that traditional clubs like Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko struggle because they allegedly refuse to participate in such practices.
“That is why at the moment clubs like Hearts of Oak who will not give money – and people should listen to me very carefully – or Kotoko have all fallen back but I can tell them we are coming back,” he said.
He warned that these two leading clubs will return in a new form and reclaim their rightful place in the league, adding that those responsible for the current state of affairs are destroying Ghana football.
“The two leading clubs shall come back in a different form and those who have been creating this confusion that is destroying Ghana football. . that is why we are nowhere on the continent. Football has been taken over by betting.”
Samartex FC’s impressive performance earned them a spot in the 2024/25 CAF Champions League, but Tamakloe’s words serve as a warning to the Ghanaian football authorities to address the deep-seated corruption issues plaguing the league.
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Samartex FC was founded in 1995 when the management of Samartex Timber & Plywood Company Limited decided to register the team to play in the 3rd Division of the Western Region.
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The club is currently in the Division One level and is aiming to qualify for the Premier League.
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The club was initially set up as a weekend recreational source for employees and other inhabitants of Samreboi.
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The club currently employs 36 staff, including footballers, technical team and others, all under the company’s payroll and accommodated by the company.
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The club has a football academy that aims to groom local talent to develop into the main football team and even become national assets in the future.
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The club facilities include a hostel for playing body, an academy, a gym and a stadium with three dressing rooms.
