Sports
Bashir Hayford looks up to ‘heaven’ … for GFA technical director job
Former Somalia coach Bashir Hayford remains upbeat about his chances of landing Ghana’s technical director position.
The erstwhile Ghana women’s trainer is reportedly among three indigenous men listed for the job by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Three expatriates are also in contention, with all six candidates having already gone through interviews.
“I’m praying to God the Ghana Football Association will give me a chance to serve as a technical director,” Hayford told West FM.
“If I get the job, I will be able to meet all the coaches in Ghana as well as the national teams and also our clubs on how to turn things around to develop our football in the country.”
While the GFA is yet to release the identity of the six candidates, media reports say University of Cape Coast associate professor of physical education and sports psychology Joseph Kwame Mintah is among the leading contenders.
Former Asante Kotoko and Kano Pillars coach Abdul Malik Jabir, who applied for the job, is however out of the running, having revealed his inability to make the list for the interview stage.
Hayford’s last job in Ghana was leading the national women’s team to the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil.
It was not a good experience as the Black Queens disappointingly failed to make it past the group stage.
The coach also worked with Ghana Premier League sides Medeama, AshantiGold and Ebusua Dwarfs as well as the national men’s U-17 side.
According to a recent publication by the GFA, “the technical director role is a prerequisite of FIFA and Ghana intends to appoint his successor as soon as possible.
“The new technical director will be responsible for the technical development and progress of the GFA.
“His responsibilities also include planning and executing a long-term view of how to continually raise standards and innovations both on and off the pitch and to ensure that the path from development teams, (junior national teams) to Ghana men’s senior team (Black Stars) and women’s senior team (Black Queens) are always integrated, learning is shared and the basic principles of how we play are integrated.
“The select committee is expected to submit their report to the Executive Council and once approval is given, the new Technical Director will be announced.”
Ghana is on the search for a new technical director following the exit of long-serving Francis Oti Akenteng. – Goal.com
Sports
Kurt E.S Okraku elected CAF Executive Committee member
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been successfully elected as a member of the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The four-year term runs from 2025-2029.
The President, who was elected uncontested, joins the 24-member committee of the powerful body of the continent’s governing body.
Kurt Okraku’s election to the CAF Executive Committee comes as recognition of his remarkable leadership at the Football Association, where he has worked to rejuvenate Ghanaian football since taking office in 2019.
His efforts to enhance transparency, promote grassroots football, women’s football and focus on youth development have been well noted within the African football community.
With Ghana’s strong footballing tradition and legacy, the presence of the GFA boss on the CAF EXCO is seen as an opportunity to advance the interests of the country and help promote football development across Africa.
Mr. Okraku’s role will give Ghana a stronger voice in the decision-making processes that shape the future of football on the continent.
President Simeon-Okraku becomes the sixth Ghanaian to serve on the CAF Executive Committee in a list that includes Ohene Djan, Kobina Hagan, Nana Fredua Mensah, Samuel Okyere, and Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Sports
GFA concludes training of Club Safety and Security Officers and Regional Sports Security Officers
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has successfully concluded its training program for Club Safety and Security Officers (CSSOs) and Regional Sports Security Officers (RSSOs).
This comprehensive training, which took place from March 7 to March 10, 2025, aimed to throw more light on the enhance safety and security measures across Ghanaian football.
The training was conducted zonally, covering all 86 elite clubs and 16 regions. Participants were divided into three zones, with Zone 2 covering the Ashanti, Western, Western North, and Central Regions, and Zones 1 and 3 covering the remaining regions.
The training modules included:
Challenges of Safety and Security in Ghana: Identifying and addressing key safety and security concerns in Ghanaian football.
Roles of the Club Safety and Security Officer (CSSO) and collaboration with Regional Safety and Security Officers (RSSO): Defining the roles and responsibilities of CSSOs and RSSOs, and promoting effective collaboration between them.
Club Safety and Security Officer Checklist: Providing a comprehensive checklist for CSSOs to ensure that all safety and security protocols are in place.
Introduction to the Enhanced Safety and Security Protocols 2025: Introducing new safety and security protocols aimed at improving safety and security at match venues.
Practicum and scenario session: Providing hands-on training and scenario-based exercises to prepare participants for real-world safety and security challenges.
The training workshop was led by DCOP Lydia Donkor, Chairperson of the Security Committee. Others included Capt (Rtd) Nick Owusu, Vice Chairman of the Safety Committee, Julius Ben Emunah, Head of Competitions, John Ansah, Felix Bewu and Emmanuel Osei, members of the Safety and Security Committee.
This training is part of the GFA’s enhanced approach to ensuring improved safety and security at match venues across all competitions.
