A three-day high-level workshop on FIFA financial governance has commenced at the Marriott Hotel in Accra.

This initiative aims to equip participants with the latest knowledge and tools to enhance financial governance and accountability within football administration.

Organised by FIFA, the workshop is part of the newly established FIFA Campus, which serves as a central hub for football education and capacity development for ten member associations, including Cape Verde, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the host Ghana.

The workshop will focus on strategies to improve financial transparency, effective resource allocation, and best practices that align with FIFA’s financial management standards.

It has brought together general secretaries and chief finance directors from mostly Anglophone African member associations.

Performing the opening ceremony, Mark Addo, Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), praised FIFA for selecting Ghana as the venue for this important workshop. He emphasised that it would enhance understanding of financial governance, which is essential for integrity, accountability, and transparency in football.

Addo highlighted that transparency, accountability, and ethical governance are fundamental principles for FIFA, which requires all member associations to adhere to strict financial standards to maintain trust and integrity within the sport.

“Implementing transparent, accountable, and ethical financial practices fosters trust and supports our global football communities. It also aids in expanding our products and collaborations.
Workshops like this provide a valuable opportunity for us to learn from each other and share ideas that will strengthen our collective efforts,” he stated.

He urged participants to recognise that financial governance is not merely a technical obligation but a moral and ethical responsibility to the millions who view association officials as custodians of the game. He encouraged open dialogue and the courage to embrace new ideas.

Christoph Suppiger, FIFA’s head of financial governance programs, reiterated that the organization’s commitment to developing football globally relies on sound financial management. This ensures that member associations receive optimal value from funding distributed through the FIFA Forward program. Regular workshops like this one are essential for enhancing financial governance and capacity development among member associations.

The workshop began with a presentation of the Financial Governance Guide, followed by discussions, group work, and case studies covering topics such as conflict of interest, planning and budgeting, procurement processes, and the significance of maintaining adequate supporting documentation.

By Raymond Ackumey

facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonemail sharing buttonwhatsapp sharing buttonsms sharing buttonsharethis sharing button
Black Stars Technical Team Revamped
After a thorough review of the performance of the Black Stars during last year’s qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Ghana Football Association has revamped the Technical team of the Stars.

The vastly experienced and accomplished German Manager and former African Cup of Nations Winner (with Cameroon in 2002), Winfried Anton Schafer, has been appointed as Technical Advisor of the team with a mandate to work closely with Head Coach Otto Addo to build a winsome team. Schafer will also play the role of Director of Football for the Football Association.

Winfried Schafer assumes the role having excelled in a managerial career spanning a little over 40 years working with a number of National teams (Cameroon, Thailand and Jamaica) as well as European clubs including Borussia Monchengladbach, Karlsruher SC, VFB Stuttgart and Borussia Berlin.

The highlight of Schafer’s experience with national teams was his winning the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon in 2002.

Schafer has also coached in the United Arab Emirates, working with top clubs namely Al Ain, Al-Ahli Dubai, Baniyas and Al-Khor. His last coaching role was with Al Khor.

Coming on board as Assistant to Otto Addo is the architect of Ghana’s resurgence at the male Under-20 level, Coach Desmond Ofei. The Africa Games gold medal winning Coach and Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Coach of the Year 2024, who has swiftly carved a niche for himself as an achiever, is expected to bring his expertise and deep analytical prowess to the team.

Kris Perquy, an experienced Sports Psychologist with 17 years’ experience, takes up the mantle of Psychologist of the team. Perquy was a key resource in the professionalisation of the football psychology of Belgium, where he worked with the Belgian Football Association for 15 years. He also worked as Mental Coach for a number of professional football clubs in Belgium.

The Video Analysis Unit of the team will be headed by Belgian Video Analyst Gregory De Grauwe who has built his expertise and experience in Video Analysis working with football clubs including Sporting Lokeren and K. Beerschot VA. De Grauwe holds a UEFA License B Coaching license as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.

Two new vastly experienced Equipment Officers, in the persons of Issah Amadou (Asante Kotoko) and Abdul Rahman Alhassan (Hearts of Oak). have also been named to the team. These two equipment handlers have a combined total of fifty-three years’ experience between them.

Full List of Black Stars Technical Team: