Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has revealed the deep personal and emotional toll the infamous “Number 12” investigative exposé took on his family, recounting a heartbreaking moment involving his young daughter.
Speaking in a recent interview, Nyantakyi said his then 9-year-old daughter once asked him a question that left him shattered: “Daddy, are you a thief?” According to him, the question reflected how the corruption documentary and subsequent public backlash affected not just his career but also his home.
The “Number 12” exposé, released in 2018 by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, alleged widespread corruption within Ghana football, leading to the dissolution of the GFA and Nyantakyi’s resignation as president. The documentary triggered intense public debate, global attention, and sweeping reforms in Ghana’s football administration.
Nyantakyi explained that while he was prepared to deal with professional consequences, the social stigma and emotional distress his family endured were far more painful. He said his children were exposed to negative narratives in school and public spaces, forcing him to constantly reassure them about his integrity.
He maintained that the damage to his reputation extended beyond football, affecting his personal relationships and mental well-being. Nyantakyi added that the period was one of the darkest moments of his life, as he struggled to shield his family from public judgment and ridicule.
The former CAF executive stressed that the long-term effects of the exposé are still felt today, especially within his family, noting that rebuilding trust and normalcy has been a slow and painful process.
His comments have reignited conversations on the broader human cost of public scandals, particularly how children and families of public figures are often caught in the crossfire.
