Owner of GN Bank and the 2016 Presidential candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Papa Kwesi Nduom has told the management of the GN Bank to suspend its sponsorship for the Division One League after the first round of games.

In a Facebook post on his official page, the outspoken owner of the bank stated among other things that he has asked the bank to suspend it’s sponsorship of the Division One League after the first half of the season due to reported violence at the various league centers.

Read the full statement below as posted on his Facebook page.

I AM ASKING GN BANK TO SUSPEND ITS SPONSORSHIP OF THE DIVISION ONE LEAGUE

I am asking asking the management of GN Bank to suspend its sponsorship of the Division One League when it reaches the mid point of the current schedule of matches. Our company cannot be associated with the indiscipline, intimidation of opponents and wanton disregard for human life and valuable property being displayed by team officials and their supporters across the Division One League.

Yesterday, the coach of the Elmina Sharks FC was beaten mercilessly and could have been killed by supporters of opposing teams in Sekondi.  Players and officials have gone through similar incidents in Bibiani and other League venues.  In the case of the Bibiani incident, the referee in his own report stated that he delayed the end of the match long enough to award a penalty to the home team because he was afraid for his life.  I am informed that the GFA is standing on a technicality to allow the home team to keep the points it gained this way.

We need discipline in football just as we need it in our national life.  We will not condone or reward illegality and indiscipline.  We cannot achieve excellence without discipline.

The GFA must act positively now.  Or the suspension will turn into complete stoppage of sponsorship.

For the records, I reproduce what I wrote in August 2015:

“Football Match – Sharks Versus Dwarfs – we deserve better than this!

Just came back from a football match and unfortunately, stone throwing, insults and intimidation marred the beauty of it.