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The Ghana Swimming Association has with immediate effect suspended its President, Theophilus Edzie, for allegedly padding up the original list of 10 names presented by the Associaton to 26, for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Ghana’s participation in the Games was marred by several incidents which led to the deportation of about 60 persons believed to be sports journalists from Australia.

Theophilus Edzie has therefore been asked to step aside after the Association investigated his alleged inclusion of additional 16 names including names of his relatives to the certified 10 to represent Ghana in the just ended Commonwealth Games in Australia.

He is also accused of providing hotel accommodation for 11 persons who were not of the swimming fraternity.

These persons were said to have gone to inspect swimming facilities.

A statement copied to Peacefmonline.com by the Association indicated that his suspension was also triggered by his interaction with certain bodies and individuals in Australia through an unofficial private mail address he created, concerning the Games on the blind side of the Swimming Association Board.

The Association stated that its decision was in line with Article C12.1.3 and C12.2 of the FINA consitution, until the Disciplinary Committee of the Association completes its investigations.

While this suspension is pending, he is not to act, negotiate, hold discussions or perform any function on behalf of, or in the name of the Ghana Swimming Association.

The Deputy Sports Minister, Pius Hadzide, the Acting Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Hon. Robert Sarfo Mensah and the Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang have all been suspended for their alleged involvement in the issue, till investigation are concluded. 

Also, five athletes who went to the Games to represent Ghana did not return with the contingent.

Preliminary investigations are being conducted into the circumstances that led to the arrest of some sixty (60) Ghanaians, who had allegedly attempted to enter Australia by false pretences, in the 21st Commonwealth Games.