Sports
Volta Regional FA executives call on Regional Minister
The Executive Council of the Volta Regional Football Association (VRFA) last Friday paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Yao Archibald Letsa, at the Regional Capital, Ho.
The visit forms part of the RFA’s series of meetings and engagement with stakeholders in football. This is the second time the football fraternity is meeting the office of the Regional Minister.
Chairman of the Volta Regional Football Association, Daniel Agbogah, outlined a sequel of activities and steps the RFA has embarked on since assuming office in October 2019. He explained that plans are already in motion to grow the game in the region.
According to a statement released by the VRFA Communications Department, the plans included the secretariat’s request of land to build a regional head office (Secretariat), acquire offices for the nine functional districts football associations, revive juvenile football, deploy the “catch them young” policy to attract and develop budding talents in refereeing and strategies to develop women’s football.
Mr Agbogah further urged the Minister to assist in getting the district assemblies to appreciate the need to invest in sports with their sports fund and other sources of finance so as to reduce social vices that some idle youth may engage in.
The regional Chairman also used the medium to introduce members of the newly-elected Executive Council to the Minister.
In response, Deputy Regional Minister, Rev Johnson Avuletey, who spoke on behalf of the Regional Minister, advised the RFA to develop a vibrant team and put in place an action plan towards the revival of football in the region. He said the RFA must position itself towards an all-inclusive development plan for football in the region.
He also promised to immediately mediate on some proposals enumerated, especially the land acquisition through the regional lands commission and refer other concerns to the Regional Minister and other stakeholders for further action.
Rev Aveletey further tasked the VRFA to bring back the lost glories the region once enjoyed in the elite division by solidifying the regional Division Two teams for national standards.
Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Kwame Amponfi Jr, also seized the opportunity to encourage the media on positive reportage of sporting activities in the region.
The Regional Executive Council further met the family of former Chairman of the VRFA, Mr Francis Dogbatse to express their condolences for the loss of his wife, Regina Adzo Dogbatse, who passed on in January, 2020 at the Ho Teaching Hospital.
A similar call would be made on the Mr Kwasi Owusu Yeboah, the Regional Minister for Oti Region, at a later date since the RFA also has oversight responsibility for the region.
Source: Ghanaian Times
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.
