Court quashes GCA suspension of chess player, awards GH¢25,000
The Accra High Court has overturned the Ghana Chess Association's suspension of player Miracle Morris Stephen, citing a breach of natural justice. The court awarded the player compensation and ordered his reinstatement, highlighting the improper use of digital platforms for disciplinary actions.
Why it matters
The ruling sets a legal precedent for how sporting associations must handle disciplinary procedures and protect the privacy of their members.
The Accra High Court, Human Rights Division, has quashed the decision of the Ghana Chess Association (GCA) to suspend chess player and instructor, Miracle Morris Stephen, from all chess-related activities in the country.
The court also awarded Mr Stephen GH¢20,000 in compensation and GH¢5,000 in costs, bringing the total financial award to GH¢25,000.
Presided over by Justice Barbara Tetteh-Charway, the court held that the suspension was wrongful, contrary to the GCA’s own statutes and in breach of the rules of natural justice.
It found that Mr Stephen was not given the required opportunity to be heard before the suspension was imposed and consequently described the disciplinary action as a “nullity ab initio”.
The court further held that the publication of the suspension on the association’s WhatsApp platform infringed Mr Stephen’s right to privacy.
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