Sports
National Juvenile Committee meets ahead of new Juvenile season
The National Juvenile Committee (NJC) convened a crucial meeting on Thursday September 26, 2024 to strategise for the upcoming juvenile football season.
The meeting, which was chaired by Vice Chairman Joesalam Abubakar in the absence of GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, focused on reviewing recent competitions and planning for future youth football activities.
A major agenda item was the review of the KGL U17 Regional Championship, held in July, where the committee assessed both the successes and the challenges faced during the competition. The goal is to improve upon these areas as they prepare for the new season.
The meeting also covered plans for the upcoming Colts U15 and U17 Festivals, which will cater for both boys and girls, as well as discussions on the format and tentative dates for these events.
In addition, the Elite U15 Boys Championship, set to take place next month, was a key topic of discussion.
Members present at the meeting included Michael Fiaduse, Gabriel Godwin Kwao, Alhaji Hamidu Abdulai, Samuel Anim Addo, and Kwame Boakye, along with Maxwell Caesar from the FA’s competitions department.
Ashanti Regional Football Association Chairman Osei Tutu Agyemang together with Alhaji Daudi Sadugu – Upper West RFA Chairman, Samuel Aboabiri – Greater Accra RFA Chairman and Alhaji Salifu Seidu Zida – Upper East RFA Chairman also joined the meeting virtually.
Key resolutions and detailed plans from the meeting are expected to be announced in the coming days, signalling a robust approach to juvenile football development in Ghana for the 2024/2025 season.
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.
