Sports
‘NSA cannot afford cost if football returns behind closed doors’
The Board Chairman for the National Sports Authority (NSA), Mr Kwadwo Baah-Agyemang, says the body cannot afford to bear the cost if football resumes behind closed doors at the various stadia across the country.
There have been reports that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is engaging government to ensure the football season continues behind closed doors as is being done in some parts of Europe.
The NSA boss Peter Twumasi had indicated in an interview that the clubs would have to pay up to GH¢60,000 should the season resume behind closed doors.
According to Mr Baah-Agyemang, the NSA will not be able to afford the cost that will be incurred when football is played behind closed doors.
Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, he said, “If the league would return and be played behind closed doors, the National Sports Authority can’t afford the cost that will come. We have to put some safety measures in place before the teams can play and all these require money.”
He also advised the Ghana FA not to rush in restarting the season because Ghana has its own peculiar problems in the fight against the COVID-19.
“We shouldn’t rush in returning football because we have to get things right first before making any decisions. I agree with the school of thought that the season should be cancelled.
“We shouldn’t rush if the Western world is already playing. If it’s easy, the EPL [English Premier League] would have started a long time. Other European countries are calling off their football seasons. Even France and Belgium have declared their champions and Ghana is of no exception.
“We need to ensure that we have the capacity to protect those involved in our game before even play resumes,” he added. – Ghanasoccernet
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.
