Sports

GFA hold 30th Ordinary Congress at Prampram

The 30th Ordinary Congress of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) took place on August 27, 2024, at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence in Prampram.

The Congress was addressed by GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, who delivered a comprehensive speech highlighting the progress made in various aspects of the Ghanaian game whilst acknowledging challenges that require attention.

President Simeon-Okraku began by acknowledging the contributions of past Football Association Heads to the development of the game in Ghana. He also paid glowing tribute to Ghanaian football legends who graced the occasion. In a solemn mood, President Simeon-Okraku led the gathering to honour the memory of some football persons who had passed on during the course of the year under review.

Simeon-Okraku went on to laud Medeama SC and Dreams FC for the progressive performances that they put up in the 2023-24 CAF Inter-Club competitions.

He was effusive in his praise of the national Under 20 Male and female national teams, who won Gold medals at the 2023 Africa Games. The Black Princesses’ qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the Black Stars’ resurgence under new Coach Otto Addo also received mention by the President.

He emphasized the importance of infrastructure development, citing the transformation of the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence, the renovation of the Headquarters of the GFA and new developments in infrastructure at the GFA’s Headquarters in Accra.

Youth development, refereeing, and coach education were also key areas of focus, with President Simeon-Okraku highlighting initiatives to improve the quality of these aspects in Ghanaian football. He made glowing mention of the Catch them Young Refereeing policy and indicated that the GFA would soon be announcing its first batch of 10 professional Referees.

Integrity and transparency were also emphasized, with the GFA President assuring delegates of the Association’s commitment to fair play and ethical conduct.

The relationship between Ghana Football and the government of Ghana was also discussed, with President Okraku expressing gratitude for the government’s support and collaboration. He laid out a number of areas in which the GFA believes that the Government can significantly boost Ghana’s Football industry, pointing at tax incentives, the creation of a Sports Fund, relaxing of the regulatory regime which prevents alcoholic beverages from sponsoring football.

In conclusion, President Okraku quoted Nelson Mandela, saying, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

The congress was attended by delegates from various regions, clubs, and stakeholders in Ghanaian football, and marked the first time ever that the Congress had been held over a two-day period.

Sports

CAF withdraws approval for Baba Yara Stadium

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has withdrawn its approval for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana, due to technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field.

The decision was made after observations made by CAF during the recent Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match between Ghana and Angola, which was played at the Baba Yara Stadium on September 5th, 2024.

Based on these observations, it was determined that the stadium did not meet the required standards for hosting Category 3 international matches.

The CAF team identified several issues, including a playing field that was deemed unsuitable for competitive matches.

The stadium’s playing field had deteriorated significantly, with uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover.

The Baba Yara Stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 40,000, has hosted several high-profile matches in the past, including World Cup qualifiers and AFCON matches.

CAF officials expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the stadium, citing the need for Ghanaian authorities to invest in upgrading the facility to meet international standards.

A letter from CAF noted earlier concerns expressed by the continental body about the state of the playing field.

According to him, “It is important to note that, prior to the match, CAF had expressed concerns about the suitability of Baba Yara Sports Stadium for hosting top-tier international fixtures. Persistent issues at this venue, as well as others in Ghana, such as Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium, have also been noted.”

Given the absence of any other CAF-approved Category 3 stadiums in Ghana, CAF has requested the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to select an alternative venue from among those approved by CAF outside Ghana for Matchday 3 and 4 of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers.

The letter from CAF also recommended that the relevant authorities “conduct a comprehensive assessment of all major international stadiums in Ghana to ensure they comply with CAF technical standards.”

Additionally, CAF advised that the stadium management engage experienced companies immediately to undertake the necessary refurbishment to meet CAF/FIFA standards.

CAF expressed its commitment to supporting Ghana (through the GFA) in bringing its stadiums up to the required standards for hosting CAF/FIFA senior international matches, offering to assist by providing an international pitch consultant with experience in major international competitions, including AFCON, to offer additional expert guidance on the necessary improvements.

The cost of this support would be borne by the GFA.

CAF went on to indicate that once the needed renovation works were completed, it would, at the GFA’s request and expense, conduct an independent inspection to reassess the stadium’s suitability for future matches.

The withdrawal of approval means that Ghana will have to find alternative venues for upcoming international matches, including the AFCON qualifiers.

The Ghana Football Association has promised to work with Government to address the issues and restore the stadium to its former status.

Sports

CAF, University of Cape Town launch Football Management Executive Programme

On September 2, 2024, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and the leadership of the University of Cape Town (UCT) launched the CAF Football Management Executive Programme.

This initiative aims to enhance the governance and leadership of African football by equipping administrators from CAF’s 54 Member Associations with essential skills.

The programme, which blends online and on-site learning, was unveiled at an event attended by representatives from 28 African nations.

Dr. Motsepe emphasized the critical role of education in driving excellence in football administration, stating, “Education is the foundation on which excellence is built.”

The Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq., and Deputy General Secretary, Ama Brobey Williams, represented Ghana at the launch.

Prosper Harrison Addo delivered a presentation on the growth of Women’s Football in West Africa, while Ama Brobey Williams spoke on making African football more sustainable and globally competitive.

This partnership marks a significant step in CAF’s commitment to empowering football administrators and advancing the future of African football.

The Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq., and Deputy General Secretary, Ama Brobey Williams, represented Ghana at the launch.

This partnership marks a significant step in CAF’s commitment to empowering football administrators and advancing the future of African football.