Sports
Police Ladies FC to get astro-turf
The Ghana Police Service will soon begin the construction of an artificial turf at the Police Training and Academy School at Tesano.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Lydia Donkor, said it will serve as home ground for its sports teams including the Police Ladies football team which serves as Chairperson.
The Police Ladies team currently uses the McDan La Town Park as their home ground for the Women’s league but ACP Donkor, who is the Head of Legal Prosecution at the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, said on a Metro TV Sports Show that a home ground of their own will give them a huge advantage.
“It is our hope that we develop our pitch at the Police Training and Academy School. It will give us the chance to play in front of our people. We will enjoy considerable support from them. That will be a motivation for our girls.”
“We have a huge park which does not meet the standard for the league. When we develop and turn it into an astro turf, it could turn our fortunes around,” she said.
Meanwhile, ACP Lydia Donkor has commended the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for its efforts to support clubs ahead of the resumption of the league season.
Football activities have grinded to a halt following the covid-19 outbreak and has in the process rendered every major player in the industry inactive.
With no matches to be played, players have been forced to be at home with administrators struggling to meet financial demands to players.
However, the FA has been trying to institute measures to cushion the clubs against the difficulties arising out of the situation.
That includes the distribution of footballs to the clubs and US$10,000 cash support.
ACP Donkor said what the FA has done was enough to be commended.
Comparing to previous years, she noted that the standard seen at women football games have improved tremendously and was confident that it will get better with more initiatives from the FA.
ACP Donkor also commended the media for its role this season, saying that, ‘we have enjoyed marvelous coverage from the media and that has helped in the hype for the women’s game. Now the players hear their names in the media and watch their games. This motivates the girls to do their very best.’
BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER
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.
