Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib, President of the Ghana Weightlifting Federation, has expressed strong disapproval of the involvement of national security personnel in the federation’s electoral process. In an exclusive interview, he addressed concerns over the recent events surrounding the elections, the legality of the process, and the broader implications for the sport’s governance in Ghana.
Shaib emphasized that no injunction had been officially served to halt the elections, despite rumors suggesting otherwise. “Nobody has served anyone an injunction,” he stated, adding that the process should have proceeded as planned. He criticized the unexpected deployment of over 80 soldiers to the election venue, questioning why national security would interfere in a sporting federation’s activities.
“When did national security start getting itself involved in federation activities? Who has paid more attention to weightlifting than I have? And now, suddenly, weightlifting has become so important that people would bring in national security and politicize it?” Shaib remarked.
Concerns Over Political Influence
Shaib also alleged that the elections had been politicized, with individuals in party-affiliated T-shirts staging protests and national security personnel arresting people under the pretext of unlawful entry. He warned that such actions could lead to international consequences, including the potential revocation of Ghana’s alignment with international weightlifting bodies.
“If we go down this road, we risk having our federation’s recognition revoked. We must protect the integrity of the sport,” he cautioned.
Debunking Tenure Expiration Claims
Shaib also responded to allegations that his tenure as president had expired, calling them baseless. He explained that a federation’s leadership remains in place until a new Congress is held and elections are officially conducted.
“People are immature and do not understand the constitution. A federation’s leadership does not expire until an election is held and new executives are sworn in,” he stated.
He pointed out that the necessary notices for elections had been issued, and an independent electoral commission had been appointed to oversee the process. The board members who were contesting the elections were also the rightful delegates, and their voting rights could not be revoked arbitrarily.
National Security’s Role Under Scrutiny
One of Shaib’s primary concerns was the detention of two individuals associated with his camp, including his gym manager. He personally visited the national security office to address the situation and expressed frustration over the increasing trend of using security forces to influence sports administration.
“Why are we now using national security to regulate sports elections? This is unacceptable, and I will be addressing this issue further in Parliament with Honorable Kofi Adams,” he affirmed.
Call for Transparency and Fair Elections
Shaib concluded by urging stakeholders to uphold fairness and transparency in the electoral process, ensuring that the weightlifting community remains focused on developing the sport rather than engaging in political maneuvering.
“Our goal should be to develop weightlifting in Ghana, not to allow external forces to disrupt the progress we have made. I remain committed to ensuring a free and fair election for the benefit of the sport,” he stated.
As tensions continue to rise over the federation’s leadership, Shaib’s remarks highlight broader concerns about political interference in Ghanaian sports administration, raising questions about the future of weightlifting governance in the country.
