Dubious PRO appointment haunts NFA

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa







WINDHOEK

The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has drawn criticism after news emerged that it handpicked a spokesperson without following due processes.

It is understood that the NFA earlier this month appointed Andreas Amesho as its public relations officer (PRO) without publicly advertising the position.

A letter written by the football association’s secretary-general Franco Cosmos, dated 7 May, informed Amesho of his appointment.

In the same letter, however, NFA also requests Amesho to submit his curriculum vitae, “provided that he accepts the appointment”.

“As an appointed NFA PRO, you are asked to serve on this position for the period of three years [2021-2024]. Should you accept to serve the association, please submit your curriculum vitae relevant to the appointment,” the letter read.

Namibian Sun has been informed that Amesho was allegedly appointed by the NFA executive committee.

“These are things which have been happening for a while now and it is good that they are being exposed. This is a standard letter that is sent to many people who are appointed in several positions of the NFA,” an insider privy to the matter said.

Hotbed of corruption

NFA critics have over the years accused the football body of being a hotbed of corruption and nepotism as well as operating contrary to the procurement laws of the country.

The NFA secretariat is accused of having appointed Amesho despite him not having applied for the job or submitting the required documentation to evaluate his suitability for the post.

“It was a resolution taken by the NFA exco that Andreas must be appointed as the public relations officer. As a secretariat, we are just asking for his CV to have it on record,” Cosmos said.

Amesho, who serves as the vice-chairman of Oshana football region, said he is not willing to talk until logistics are finalised.

“All I can say is that I am an educator and I have served in football for many years,” he said.

Meanwhile, NFA president Ranga Haikali said Amesho has a degree in communications.

Returning the favour

The situation is allegedly the norm in the NFA, with some staff appointed upon recommendation by senior members without any credibility checks.

“It’s the first time I am seeing someone being appointed while they are still waiting for the CV. It is even stranger to have someone on the public relations department appointed by the executive.

“This sounds more like a thing of returning favours to people who supported you in campaigns. I mean, don’t these people have human resource people or is there a vacuum in communication between the NFA executive and its secretariat?” a source asked.

Namibian Sun understands that the NFA exco appointed Amesho following recommendations from some members who heard he had media background.

Questions have also been asked regarding Dan Kamati’s role at the NFA, who doubles as the spokesperson of the Namibia Airports Company. Kamati has over the years been moonlighting at the NFA’s marketing and communications department.