Almost six weeks after losing his job and agreeing to an amicable settlement, former Black Stars coach, James Kwasi Appiah, is yet to receive his full severance package from the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The GFA, however, insists the payment process has begun with an amount of $126,000 still outstanding.
According to Appiah, while he had entrusted his legal team, led by Kojo Graham of Law Group, to engage the FA over the package, they are yet to hear from the GFA to settle outstanding issues, a situation he described as “unfortunate”.
He told the Graphic Sports yesterday that representatives were weighing the options on what to do as he did not want to unnecessarily litigate over the issue. He denied reports that he had dragged the GFA to the National Labour Commission (NLC).
“As I speak with you, I’m yet to receive any cash from the GFA and yet to hear from them on how they even want to settle the issue. It is unfortunate that I am been treated in this manner, but my lead counsel is out of town and as soon as he arrives, we will meet to decide the way forward.At this moment, no one has gone anywhere to seek redress.
“I also do not intend to litigate over the issue because I don’t want to duly worry over that. I’ve managed to settle in my life after the Stars job and do not want any pressure,” Appiah said.
However, Prosper Harrison Addo, a member of the GFA legal committee, explained that the FA had no legal issues with the former coach, having already made some payments to Appiah with only a few commitments outstanding.
He said after an initial meeting, the two parties agreed on what would constitute compensation for the former Stars coach, credited as being the first Ghanaian to lead the Stars to the World Cup.
mr Addo said while the GFA legal committee disagreed to Appiah’s request that he be compensated for “unfair termination of appointment”, all other requests tabled by his legal team had been agreed to.
Appiah’s package included the payment of his September salary even though he worked halfway through the month, compensation for three months in lieu of notice of the termination, his performance bonus for Ghana’s 3-2 win against Togo in the 2015 AFCON qualifiers, as well as the rest of his signing on fee.
“As far as we are concerned, the only outstanding amount to be paid are $106,000 being arrears of his signing on fees of $156,000 and the performance bonus of $20,000. That bonus will be paid by the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” Mr Addo explained, adding that the GFA was processing the payment of the remainder of the coach’s signing-on fees.
He Added that Appiah might not have been well briefed because it was agreed with his lawyers at the initial meeting that all he had requested for would be paid and that process is ongoing.
Source: Graphic Online
