Sports
Ghana and South Korea share spoils in four-goal thriller
Ghana drew 2:2 with South Korea in their second high profile international friendly ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
The Black Princesses conceded a penalty in the 15th minute after Comfort Yeboah committed a foul in the 18 yard box.
The Princesses pushed hard for the equaliser and found the back of the net minutes later through Stella Nyamekye who got on the end of a cross from Wasiima Mohammed to slot home.
Ghana pushed for the lead but couldn’t make their efforts count as the first half ended 1:1. After recess, Coach Yussif Basigi brought on Mafia Nyame in place of Asana Alhassan in midfield.
The partnership between Mafia Nyame and Stella Nyamekye was a delight as the former laid a pass to Jennifer Owusuwaa to put the Black Princesses ahead.
Ghana conceded another penalty in the 71st minute after Alexandra Emefa Tay had brought down a South Korean in the box for a penalty that was expertly converted to make it 2:2.
This match forms part of preparations for Coach Yussif Basigi and his team as they prepare for the first Group E game against Austria on September 2, 2024. The Princesses will later take on New Zealand and Japan in the other Group matches
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will kick off in Colombia from Saturday, August 31 – Sunday, September 22, 2024.
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.
