Tag: GFA

  • Nana Yaw Amponsah set to join Queens Park Rangers as an administrator

    Former GFA presidential aspirant Nana Yaw Amponsah is expected to join English side Queens Park Rangers in the coming weeks.

    Amponsah will leave the country once the borders are open to conclude negotiations with QPR who are looking to boost their management team with the young football administrators.

    It is understood that he would be working closely with Director of Football Les Ferdinand with whom he has a great relationship and would offer QPR a great perspective on their engagement of African players and future investments on the continent.

    He is currently the Director of Football Talent at Phar Partnerships, a UK based Sports Sponsorship and Talent company chaired by QPR Co-Owner Tony Fernandes.

    There were speculations that the astute football administrator could be joining Asante Kotoko as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) under the newly constituted Board.

    However, he has opted to join QPR in England.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Ibrahim Dossey calls on Ghanaians to support GFA boss Kurt Okraku

    The Head of Operations of Proton Sports, Ibrahim Dossey has called on Ghanaians to support Kurt Okraku to succeed as Ghana Football Association president.

    There have been diverse views about the performance of the Ghana Football Association in the past as they’ve been accused of bribery and corruption under the leadership of ex-GFA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    But according to Dossey, with the support of Ghanaians, Kurt Okraku will succeed as the GFA president.

    “Former president Nyantakyi was chastised by a session of the media on things he did not do but were purported he did, that’s how come the term ” Sika die ” came to existence,” he stated on Ashaiman Tv.

    “Now it is known that he never took monies from the GFA accounts but unfortunately the has been destroyed by this untruly told story.”

    He added, “Now Kurt is in and trying to build the brand again but He is facing the same problem by the media but I know Kurt is a strong character and will definitely achieve his aim before bowing out as the GFA president, let’s all support Kurt and He will deliver ”

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Anas exposé has affected referees – GFA Referees Manager

    Newly appointed GFA Referees Manager, Mr. Alex Quartey has spoken about the bad image Ghanaian referees had during the Anas Exposé.

    Mr. Alex Quartey was appointed as a Referees Manager on Tuesday, 26 May 2020.

    In an interview with Gattuso on Kingdom Fm All Sports, Mr. Alex Quartey revealed that the explosive documentary has dented the image of referees in the country.

    “It affected us and it was not only Ghanaian referees but other foreign referees was involved during the WAFU tournament.

    “It was a blow to African Football and I think all the referees have learnt something from it. I think it has just awakened us up and it is there to guide us so that we will not go back to it again.”

    He advised the referees and all Ghanaian Football bodies for not going back to it but to think about the positive.

    “We must rather be looking at the positive. Let’s promote the positive. I have been offered money before but I reported on that. It is gone and we don’t need to always go back for the past, the past is there to guide us. What is in front is needed most.”He ended.

    Source: Isaac Ganyo Tamakloe, contributor

  • We need your support – GFA Referees Manager appeals to media

    Alex Kotei, the newly-appointed Referees Manager for the GFA has approached the media to help the Referees Committee for a successful work.

    Speaking on Kingdom Fm All Sports Show, Alex Kotei said that the success of his work depends on the support of all stakeholders including the media.

    He urged the media to highlight the positive aspect of refereeing in the country.

    “There are structures. The FA have putting in place structures. Structures like assessment, classification committee, the technical committee, the match review panel etc. All these structures are in place and we can’t eliminate the media because this structures can not work without the media. The media has a critical role to play. The media will promote that structures.”

    “The media, they have a critical role to play so that whatever plans and structures you have will be promoted. Because whenever the structures are working you need someone to promote that thing and it is the media.”

    Source: Isaac Ganyo Tamakloe, contributor

  • George Afriyie denies GFA appointment on Division One Advisory Board

    Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association, George Afriyie has vehemently denied reports that he has been appointed by President Kurt Okraku to serve on the Advisory Board of Division One.

    But the Planners Athletic owner disclosed he was nominated by members of Division One to represent them on the Advisory Board.

    Setting the records straight, the former FA President candidate revealed his continuous support for Ghana football.

    Below is a letter from George Afriyie:

    Dear colleagues in football,

    I trust we are all staying safe and continue to adhere to the safety protocols as we collectively seek to win over the COVID-19 pandemic.

    I have received a lot of calls and messages in the last couple of hours and have read various media publications on a purported appointment by GFA President Kurt Okraku to serve on a Division One League Advisory Board.

    The numerous media reportage and social media circulations only seek to peddle a blatant misrepresentation of the facts.

    Let me hasten to put on record that my place on the Division One League Advisory Committee is not on the dint of an invitation from the GFA but rather a nomination by club owners and administrators on the Zone 3 platform who share a common position with me on the subject at hand (18-club Division One League) for which I have strongly kicked against. I also feel compelled as a club owner to get involved in deciding on matters that affect the nucleus of our clubs thus my decision to accept the nomination from club owners and administrators from Zone 3. I believe that we need to come together to review and amend the current statutes as we agreed in principle at the last congress of the Normalisation Committee.

    I believe that the future of our football ultimately lies in the choices and decisions we make today. Therefore my position is that there must be a broader engagement and consultation on the subject with the wider football legislature (CONGRESS) because every Premier League club is a potential Division One League club, every Division One League club is a potential Premier League club, or a Division Two club. So concentrating power in the hands of the minority to decide the fate of the majority is not the way to go.

    I will continue to serve in various capacities in seeking the greater good of Ghana football.

    Let us continue to stay safe, obey the safety protocols and remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19.

    #yestogether we build

    Kindest regards, George Afriyie

    CC: All Media houses

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA President Kurt Okraku meets Education Minister

    President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt E.S Okraku on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, held a meeting with Education Minister Mathew Opoku Prempeh (Hon.) over partnership of mutual benefits.

    The meeting, which took place at the Ministers office in Accra, discussed a host of issues and also looked at how the two entities can work together for a common good. They looked at various ways the GFA could partner with the Education Ministry to ensure that kids not only follow education but also pursue their sporting development.

    Executive Council member Samuel Anim Addo, Western Regional Football Association Chairman Simon Ehomah and Samuel Aboabire, the Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association, accompanied the president to the meeting.

    They also touched on the possibility of setting up a football academy, possibility of footballers getting scholarship to pursue higher levels of education, investment, enhancement and improvement of the inter-collages football festivals across the country, where in the time past, players that formed the Academicals were picked from, among others.

    The Minister was very excited by the approach by the GFA and asked the federation to submit a proposal for consideration.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA boss insists he is on good terms with predecessor Kwesi Nyantakyi

    Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku has dispelled rumours of a strained relationship with his predecessor Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    Okraku has been accused of neglecting the banned former Ghana FA president who helped him to win last year’s hotly contested elections.

    According to reports, Nyantakyi helped canvass for votes from delegates to defeat his out-of-love former vice-president George Afriyie.

    Okraku has been quick been quick to water down reports of an acrimonious relationship with Nyantakyi who is fighting a lifetime ban at CAS.

    ”I have never had a bad relationship with former president [Kwesi] Nyantakyi in fact from Nana Sam Brew Butler when Nana was the FA chairman, I was a practising journalist,” Okraku told Starrfmonline.

    ”I have got a relationship with him, Alhaji Lepowura MND Jawula, Kwesi Nyantakyi, Kofi Amoah and I have never had a bad relationship with the leaders of this Association and I feel good about this.

    ”I hope that when I exit, whoever takes over will also have a good relationship with me.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GPL Return: We can’t challenge government – GFA PRO

    Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association Henry Asante Twum has said that the association cannot challenge government decision over suspension of football in the country.

    The Ghana Premier League was suspended in March due to the Coronavirus outbreak in the country.

    It is unclear whether the football season will be truncated or not due to the rapid growth of the deadly disease.

    Henry Asante in an interview expressed that the Ghana FA is working hand in hand with the government to know the fate of the topflight league.

    “We cannot sideline the government and do anything on our own. We have to consult, dialogue, and do all the various engagement before taking any decision. But the truth is that we cannot challenge the government if they insist football should still be on suspension till September or December”

    “We’ve given ourselves till the end of June. As an FA, we are dialoguing, consulting, taking views and exploring every single avenue or option which is available to us” He Otec FM.

    The GFA medical team led by Dr. Baba Adam met the Gov’t medical advising team on Thursday, May 21, 2020 to deliberate on the future of the football season under COVID-19.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Make the 18-club Division One League autonomous – Wilson Arthur to GFA

    Chairman of the MTN FA Cup committee, Wilson Arthur is advocating for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to allow the 18-club Division One League competition to go autonomous.

    This follows an announcement from the country’s football governing body indicating that they have started the process to shrink the 48 Division One League competition to an 18-club competition.

    While many continue to oppose the move, the owner of Skyy FC Wilson Arthur says he believes it will be very helpful if the new format of the competition is handed over to an independent body to run.

    “If I was GFA president, I would sell the franchise for autonomous elite Division One League”, the experienced football administrator told Skyy FM.

    He continued, “Anyone who buys the franchise can make recoup his investment after 5 years”.

    Meanwhile, Proud United owner Jojo Duncan is opposing the reduction in the number of participating clubs in Division One after accusing the Ghana FA of trying to copy from South Africa.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Make the 18-club Division One League autonomous – Wilson Arthur to GFA

    Chairman of the MTN FA Cup committee, Wilson Arthur is advocating for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to allow the 18-club Division One League competition to go autonomous.

    This follows an announcement from the country’s football governing body indicating that they have started the process to shrink the 48 Division One League competition to an 18-club competition.

    While many continue to oppose the move, the owner of Skyy FC Wilson Arthur says he believes it will be very helpful if the new format of the competition is handed over to an independent body to run.

    “If I was GFA president, I would sell the franchise for autonomous elite Division One League”, the experienced football administrator told Skyy FM.

    He continued, “Anyone who buys the franchise can make recoup his investment after 5 years”.

    Meanwhile, Proud United owner Jojo Duncan is opposing the reduction in the number of participating clubs in Division One after accusing the Ghana FA of trying to copy from South Africa.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • GFA owes me 33 months salary – Malik Jabir reveals

    Former Black Meteors head coach, Malik Jabir has revealed that the Ghana Football Association owes him thirty-three months’ salary.

    According to Malik Jabir who spent three years as the coach of the Black Meteors, he only received three months’ salary from his employers throughout his stay with the team.

    The former Asante Kotoko player who is also aspiring to succeed Oti Akenteng as the next GFA Technical Director made these revelations in an interview with Tarkoradi based Kingdom FM.

    “For the past 3 years I worked with the Ghana Black Meteors as the head coach, I was paid just 3-months salaries. As of now, the GFA owes me 33 months salary arrears which amount to $99,000.”

    “I was receiving $3,000 per month,” he added.

    Meanwhile the immediate past head coach of the Black Stars, James Kwasi Appiah is also demanding for his five months outstanding salaries and bonuses from the Ghana Football Association.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Kwabena Yeboah courts government support for GFA, local clubs

    President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Kwabena Yeboah wants government to extend a helping hand to the Ghana Football Association and the local football clubs during these challenging times for clubs.

    The CoronaVirus pandemic has caused a shutdown of all football activities in Ghana leading to the GFA and the clubs suffering financial implications.

    Most clubs are struggling to cope with the financial strain this period has brought and have already initiated steps to enforce certain cost cutting measures.

    Featuring prominently among such interventions is the idea of implementing pay cuts which has been widely criticized.

    Kwabena Yeboah believes that for the football clubs to survive, government will need offer them support by way of the COVID-19 stimulus package.

    “The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the central government must in a way try and come to the aid of the football association and by extension the clubs to ensure their survival,” he told the PM Express Show on Joy News.

    “Because there is absolutely no way that if they do not benefit from the form of stimulus package from the central government, these clubs can survive. The only way these clubs is for the central government to come to their aid” he continued.

    Source: footballmadeinghana.com

  • GFA demands $12 million from gov’t for re-branding and development

    The Ghana Football Association is demanding for a staggering $12 million from the government for “re-branding and development” after the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The FA has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Youth and Sports requesting for a share of the Coronavirus stimulus package.

    The proposed $12 million is meant for ” re-branding and development” of local football post Coronavirus.

    The Kurt Okraku-led GFA reiterated the fact that it has struggled to find a sponsor for the league from corporate bodies.

    The association, also believe, there are a lot of things needed to be done in rebranding football hence the demand for the above-mentioned amount.

    The Ghana Premier League is currently on suspension due to the Coronavirus pandemic that has brought the world to a stand still.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ghana FA to have new refereeing structure

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has approved a new refereeing structure for the federation.

    The new structure is to ensure the separation of personnel in the various functions of refereeing in Ghana. It seeks to consolidate the gains achieved so far and to strive for new heights.

    The structure includes the Referees Committee, Match Review Panel, Assessors and Classification Panel and the Refereeing Department with different personnel serving on each function of refereeing to drive for more effectiveness and speedy response to complaints by clubs.

    The Referees Committee will continue its work of appointing referees to all competitions and all matches organized or sanctioned by the GFA including Futsal and Beach Soccer matches.

    The Assessors and Classification Panel will analyze, evaluate and assess the performance of referees by using a marking system provided by FIFA to classify and categorize referees to help the development, promotion and demotion of referees by the Referees Committee.

    The Refereeing Department, whose responsibility includes providing administrative support and assistance to the Referees Committee, will be headed by the Referees Manager, who reports to the General Secretary of the GFA.

    The Refereeing Department will also have its own Instructors (Physical Instructors and Technical Instructors) and other experts who would support the education of referees in Ghana.

    The GFA intends to roll out a comprehensive refereeing development program to recruit and train Referee Assessors, Referee Instructors (Physical and Technical), Beach Soccer Referees, Futsal Referees, Women Referees, Grassroots Referees (Catch them young policy), Talented and Promising Referees. There will also be refresher courses for category 1, 2 and 3 referees.

    The GFA would continue to invest in referees by providing the requisite equipment to aide their work.

    The new structure is aimed at ensuring that the Association implements fully the FIFA regulations on the organization of refereeing in member Associations.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • 18-club National Division One League is a non-starter – Mickey Charles

    Techiman City FC president Charles Kwadwo Ntim popularly known as Mickey Charles says that the 18-Club National Division One League is a non-starter.

    The GFA Executive Council has taken a decision to form a 5-member committee for the implementation of the transitional provision on the number of participating clubs in the National Division One League.

    The 5-member committee will be made up of three persons nominated by the Division One League Clubs and two persons from the FA.

    Speaking to OTEC FM in an interview, the experienced football administrator disclosed that clubs are already complaining about hardship and lack of sponsorship, therefore, making 18-club National Division One League is a non-starter.

    “I remember at the congress, we agreed to two or three years but as you know me, I raised a lot of issues because I thought it wasn’t the right thing to do now,” Mickey Charles said.

    “What is so different about our current Division One, it has been grouped into zones which in other way round clubs represent their regions every year.

    “Imagine how difficult it will be for a team like Paga Crocodile traveling to play Accra City or Kpondo Heart of Lions,” he quizzed.

    “Why are we planning to play 18-Clubs National Division One League while clubs keep complaining about hardship and lack of sponsorship? I feel the 18-Clubs national division one league is a non-starter,” he concluded.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Dont copy & paste, develop your own model PSL Manager advises GFA on the autonomous league

    South African Premier League senior manager, Luxolo September has advised the Ghana Football Asociation against the replication of the South African autonomous league model in their bid to run the Ghana Premier League as an independent body.

    The GFA recently announced that they have begun the process of making the Ghana Premier League autonomous.

    However, there have been talks that the FA plans to follow the South African model after a delegation including current GHALCA boss Kudjoe Fiano was sent there to go and study the model they use in running their league.

    Advising the GFA from replicating the exact model the South Africans use, he told them to develop their own from what they learned from the PLS than to do ‘copy and paste for the GPL’.

    “Ghana should decide what model is good for them, from the Commercial, Sponsorship, Product points of view. The most popular league in South Africa is the local league, not Manchester United, Chelsea or the English League,”

    “We are in a stage where Africans are watching EPL and killing their own league.”

    “I hope Ghanaian radio is not about the English Premier League, because here in South Africa all radio stations are about local football, local products, and local talents and we hope to share this lesson with Ghana and learn from Ghana as well,” he told Takoradi based Skyy Power 93.5 FM.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Process for 18-club National Division One League begins

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has taken a decision to form a 5-member committee for the implementation of the transitional provision on the number of participating clubs in the National Division One League.

    The decision to set up the advisory committee is in compliance with Article 81(6) of the GFA Statutes 2019.

    Article 81(6) of the GFA statutes states as follows: “The number of delegates representing the Division One League shall be reduced to 18 (down from the current 48) at the latest by the end of the second football season following the adoption of these Statues.”

    The 5-member committee will be made up of three persons nominated by the Division One League Clubs and two persons from the GFA.

    This 5-member ad-hoc committee would advise the Executive Council on the format, the possible name of the new 18-club Division One League, the phases of the implementation, whether or not a third-tier League will be required and its format.

    Though the implementation is after two seasons, the Executive Council wants to start the process in time so that the engagement and consultations will be extensive.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • GFA to reduce number of division one league clubs

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has taken a decision to form a five-member committee for the implementation of the transitional provision on the number of participating clubs in the National Division One League.

    The decision to set up the advisory committee is in compliance with Article 81(6) of the GFA Statutes 2019.

    Article 81(6) of the GFA statutes states as follows: “The number of delegates representing the Division One League shall be reduced to 18 (down from the current 48) at the latest by the end of the second football season following the adoption of these Statues.”

    The five-member committee will be made up of three persons nominated by the Division One League Clubs and two persons from the GFA.

    This five-member ad-hoc committee would advise the Executive Council on the format, the possible name of the new 18-club Division One League, the phases of the implementation, whether or not a third-tier League will be required and its format.

    Though the implementation is after two seasons, the Executive Council wants to start the process in time so that the engagement and consultations will be extensive.

    Source: GNA

  • Executive Council of GFA approves new structure for referees

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has approved a new refereeing structure for the federation.

    The new structure is to ensure the separation of personnel in the various functions of refereeing in Ghana. It seeks to consolidate the gains achieved so far and to strive for new heights.

    The structure includes the Referees Committee, Match Review Panel, Assessors and Classification Panel and the Refereeing Department with different personnel serving on each function of refereeing to drive for more effectiveness and speedy response to complaints by clubs.

    The Referees Committee will continue its work of appointing referees to all competitions and all matches organized or sanctioned by the GFA including Futsal and Beach Soccer matches.

    The Assessors and Classification Panel will analyze, evaluate and assess the performance of referees by using a marking system provided by FIFA to classify and categorize referees to help the development, promotion and demotion of referees by the Referees Committee.

    The Refereeing Department, whose responsibility includes providing administrative support and assistance to the Referees Committee, will be headed by the Referees Manager, who reports to the General Secretary of the GFA.

    The Refereeing Department will also have its own Instructors (Physical Instructors and Technical Instructors) and other experts who would support the education of referees in Ghana.

    The GFA intends to roll out a comprehensive refereeing development program to recruit and train Referee Assessors, Referee Instructors (Physical and Technical), Beach Soccer Referees, Futsal Referees, Women Referees, Grassroots Referees (Catch them young policy), Talented and Promising Referees. There will also be refresher courses for category 1, 2 and 3 referees.

    The GFA would continue to invest in referees by providing the requisite equipment to aide their work.

    The new structure is aimed at ensuring that the Association implements fully the FIFA regulations on the organization of refereeing in member Associations.

    Source: 3 News

  • GFA Executive Council approves new refereeing structure

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has approved a new refereeing structure for the federation.

    The new structure is to ensure the separation of personnel in the various functions of refereeing in Ghana. It seeks to consolidate the gains achieved so far and to strive for new heights.

    The structure includes the Referees Committee, Match Review Panel, Assessors and Classification Panel and the Refereeing Department with different personnel serving on each function of refereeing to drive for more effectiveness and speedy response to complaints by clubs.

    The Referees Committee will continue its work of appointing referees to all competitions and all matches organized or sanctioned by the GFA including Futsal and Beach Soccer matches.

    The Assessors and Classification Panel will analyze, evaluate and assess the performance of referees by using a marking system provided by FIFA to classify and categorize referees to help the development, promotion and demotion of referees by the Referees Committee.

    The Refereeing Department, whose responsibility includes providing administrative support and assistance to the Referees Committee, will be headed by the Referees Manager, who reports to the General Secretary of the GFA.

    The Refereeing Department will also have its own Instructors (Physical Instructors and Technical Instructors) and other experts who would support the education of referees in Ghana.

    The GFA intends to roll out a comprehensive refereeing development program to recruit and train Referee Assessors, Referee Instructors (Physical and Technical), Beach Soccer Referees, Futsal Referees, Women Referees, Grassroots Referees (Catch them young policy), Talented and Promising Referees. There will also be refresher courses for category 1, 2 and 3 referees.

    The GFA would continue to invest in referees by providing the requisite equipment to aide their work.

    The new structure is aimed at ensuring that the Association implements fully the FIFA regulations on the organization of refereeing in member Associations.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • Feature: GFA must stop playing victim and show leadership

    Covid-19 dealt Ghana Football another devastating blow just as the game was gaining momentum post the fallout of the Anas #12 expose.

    The pandemic may has come with a lot of negative effects but one positive, stakeholders of the game who believe in transparency and accountability would be excited about was the release of the debt status of the GFA a document titled “legacy debt” a description that is alient to accounting.

    As the GFA sought to justify their decision to hold on to the huge financial windfall coming their way from FIFA, they ended up opening a can of worms that has left stake holders with more questions than answers.

    Rather than show leadership and deal with the issues raised to clear any shred of doubt, the Kurt Okraku led FA has resorted to the using its apparatchiks to appeal to emotions of the stakeholders and Ghanaians at large by describing legitimate concerns raised as “harsh and factually incorrect” and also paint the picture of the GFA being unfairly criticized thus playing victim in the process.

    No one asked the Kurt Okraku led FA and its cohorts to give an itemized list of money received from GLO was expended. But thankfully, a list of same was published by the quasi accountant of the FA, Ameenu Shadow interestingly legal fees for Sory @law and Beyou Beyou and company were conspicuously missing giving credence my questions.

    An outstanding amount of $75,000 was published in the so called “legacy debt” document representing money owed for legal services when the GLO sponsorship deal fell through .Sory @Law Mr Thaddeus Sory and Arbitatrator Beyou Beyou and company are owed $40,000 and $70,000(35,000 settled) respectively.

    Why would the GFA receive $1,000,000 from the GLO expend as much as they can on other what they deemed necessary but fail to pay lawyers who worked for the FA to receive those funds?

    Did the GFA act in good faith following their failure to pay for a service they had received payment for?

    Did the GFA act in good faith when they added the legitimate $75,000 to budget line items on the so called “legacy debt” document as outstanding debt.

    How did that outstanding amount end up as debt when money was actually received?

    I ask, was another lawyer hired without disengaging the services of both law firms mentioned above receive money because of a 10% agreement signed with normalization committee for the collection of the money owed by GLO?

    Was there a meeting to approve the appointment of the said lawyer if there was, are there minutes of the meeting to that effect?

    Would the partner of Kizito Beyou, Naa Odofoley Nortey of Beyou Beyou and Company who were the arbitrators have agreed to such an arrangement?

    If the Kurt Okraku led FA paid any other lawyer other than the two mentioned above did they do due diligence prior to advancing payment?

    These are harmlessly question the GFA seek to answer without feeling they are being unfairly criticized.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ghana Beach Soccer clubs not included in GFA,FIFA support fund

    The Chairman of the Ghana FA Beach Soccer Committee, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has debunked reports that beach soccer clubs have been promised a financial package from the GFA.

    This follows the earlier disclosure by GFA President Kurt Okraku that FIFA will give every member association financial support dubbed “Emergency Fund” in the coming days.

    Further, according to Okraku, the moment the funds arrive, football clubs in Ghana will receive what they deserve.

    “There is a FIFA emergency fund that will be released to us and when it comes we will share it to our member clubs because they are suffering”- the FA President stated.

    When contacted on Wednesday morning, Ampofo Ankrah said that he was happy to hear the news.

    However, he was quick to state that there has been no communication from the GFA regarding any support for beach beach soccer clubs in Ghana.

    “Ofcourse it would be great news if beach soccer clubs too were considered but as i sit here, nothing of the sort has been proposed, discussed or promised by the GFA. The package is for football clubs so please let’s get the facts right until the FA says otherwise”.

    There are currently 26 recognized beach soccer clubs scattered along the the coastal belt of Ghana.

    Each club has written to the FA seeking official re-registration into the electronic Ghana football data system as stipulated by FIFA to all member associations.

    Meanwhile the Clubs Licensing Officer/ IT Manager at the GFA has given beach soccer clubs an update on the current state of affairs due to the Coronavirus restrictions and the possibilities available for resuming any administrative work relating to the electronic registration of beach soccer clubs.

    Source: Dickson Boadi, Contributor

  • ‘We are expecting two funds from FIFA’- GFA President Kurt Okraku

    President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku has revealed that his outfit is expecting two forms of funds from World Football governing body FIFA.

    The funds to be received from FIFA comes in two folds, the FIFA Forward and the FIFA Coronavirus Fund which is expected to help the FA during the period of distress caused by coronavirus.

    “We are also waiting for FIFA to fast track the process and get is the Emergency COVID-19 fund. We are expecting two funds from FIFA. The FIFA forward and the FIFA COVID-19 fund,” Kurt Okraku told Happy Sports.

    The Ghana Premier League is currently on suspension due to the outbreak of Coronavirus in the West African state.

    The impact of the pandemic has seen clubs cry for help from the FA, with the monies expected to be used as a form of relief for the association and teams.

    “FIFA forward money, you cant withdraw cash, you cant take loan with the cash and you cant misappropriate the fund. We have explained this to the clubs and again, Emergency fund is still being expected and we shall share that with the clubs when the money is paid to the FA,” said the President.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Corporate Ghana won’t take us seriously if the league is truncated- GFA President

    Ghana Football Association President, Kurt E.S Okraku believes that the truncation of the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League season may affect the association’s relationship with Corporate Ghana.

    The 2019/20 Ghana Premier League was halted halfway into the season following the ban on all public gatherings by the state in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Due to the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the country and the extension of the ban on social gatherings by the President, there have been some calls from some stakeholders for the truncation of the league as it is still not clear when the fight against the pandemic will be won.

    However, according to Kurt Okraku, Corporate Ghana will see the league as inconsistent if it is being truncated because there hasn’t been a winner of the league since 2017.

    “If there is no football, you don’t expect your sponsors to continue dolling out money to the clubs because they are not charities and even charities require a certain form of visibility. You have to also look at the partnership that currently exists at the FA level and the loss of revenue due to this situation.”

    “Before we went for the Coronavirus break, we were busily engaging the private sector to come on board and partner the football association and the measures we put in place before the start of the season had started taking shape in the minds of Ghanaians.”

    “Corporate Ghana has started looking at the Ghana Football Association and the footballing industries as possible partners and we are also looking to get their support. So if we cancel football within this period, we shouldn’t expect corporate Ghana to take us seriously. Don’t forget that since 2017, we have not declared the winners of any league we have played”. Kurt Okraku told Happy FM on the effects of COVID-19 on Ghana’s Sports Industry.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Cancelling football season will be challenging to clubs Kurt Okraku

    Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku says it will be a challenging period for the various stakeholders of the Football Association if the 2019/20 football season is cancelled.

    The GFA has engaged its stakeholders to decide on the future of the season whether to truncate or cancel the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The GFA has announced that it will take a decision on 30 June, 2020 to decide on the future of the 2019/20 football season.

    According to Kurt Okraku, the football industry has not been stable since 2017 and is currently facing a big challenge being the Covid-19 pandemic.
    He stated that should the league be cancelled due to the Covid-19, a lot of clubs would be in turmoil.

    “It will be another challenging period for the clubs, referees, match commissioners, if the season is cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he told Ohene-Bampoe Brenya via Zoom on Happy 98.9FM.

    “At the lower leagues, football indirectly contributes a lot to the economy. Also with football, sponsors will not continue to bring their money on board. The GFA will lose partners, Clubs will also lose their deals with partners and sponsors, Players may lose either their contracts or endorsements, fans will also lose that excitement they get when they watch the games.

    Kurt also revealed that the Covid-19 has led the FA to loss a potential sponsor as there were engagements ongoing before the league was halted.

    He added that with football suspended and the challenges facing the GFA, the only revenue or guarantee of money for the FA will be the FIFA Forward money which will not be adequate for running football in the country

    Source: happyghana.com

  • GFA appoint Mark Addo & Randy Abbey on Premier League autonomous committee

    GFA Vice president Mark Addo and Executive Council member Randy Abbey have been appointed as part of the proposed 5-member Committee to outline policies for the formation of an autonomous Ghana Premier league, according to reports.

    Abbey and Addo have vast experience in policy formulation and implementation, and their inclusion on the board is expected to fasten the process ahead of the league resumption.

    Randy Abbey was also a member of the previous GHALCA delegation that worked on the same project which was stalled after a disagreement within the parties.

    Mark Addo is also experienced in Corporate affairs with a specialty in financial engineering.

    Meanwhile, the Premier League clubs have already nominated their representatives, and the GFA is expected to swear them in soon.

    The Ghana Premier League is currently organised and managed by the GFA.

    The 18-club league competition is managed by the Premier League Committee chaired by Lepowura Alhaji M.N.D Jawula with day-to-day administrative support from the Competitions Department of the GFA

    Source: footballghana.com

  • GFA’s ‘Thank You’ message to sponsors sparks claims of season ending

    A creative artwork by the Ghana Football Association has sparked claims of the cancellation of the season, less than 24 hours after the association confirmed the status remained same.

    A message thanking existing sponsors and wishing they continue with the association in the “coming season” has been interpreted as the season is over.

    But the Ghana Football Association has moved quickly to clarify the misconception insisting the status quo remains the same.

    Local media have interpreted the message from the association to its cherished sponsors as a declaration that the 2019/2020 season is over – but that interpretation appears to have fallen flat.

    The GFA confirmed on Wednesday that the season remains suspended amid the Coronavirus pandemic as they seek for broader consultation before deciding on the future of the season.

    The FA insist it does not have the power to decide the fate of the 2019/2020 season as it is Congress- the highest decision making body of the association, which is clothed with powers to make any such declaration.

    The novel Coronavirus has sparked a massive division among Ghanaian fans over the status of the current campaign amid calls for either a cancellation or a continuation of the season post Covid-19.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA’s ‘Thank You’ message to sponsors sparks claims of season ending

    A creative artwork by the Ghana Football Association has sparked claims of the cancellation of the season, less than 24 hours after the association confirmed the status remained same.

    A message thanking existing sponsors and wishing they continue with the association in the “coming season” has been interpreted as the season is over.

    But the Ghana Football Association has moved quickly to clarify the misconception insisting the status quo remains the same.

    Local media have interpreted the message from the association to its cherished sponsors as a declaration that the 2019/2020 season is over – but that interpretation appears to have fallen flat.

    The GFA confirmed on Wednesday that the season remains suspended amid the Coronavirus pandemic as they seek for broader consultation before deciding on the future of the season.

    The FA insist it does not have the power to decide the fate of the 2019/2020 season as it is Congress- the highest decision making body of the association, which is clothed with powers to make any such declaration.

    The novel Coronavirus has sparked a massive division among Ghanaian fans over the status of the current campaign amid calls for either a cancellation or a continuation of the season post Covid-19.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Nameless football administrators brand Ghana FA Legacy Debt a façade

    Some anonymous football administrators have told Graphic Sports that claims by the Ghana Football Association that it is insolvent are false and façade.

    The Executive Council published a debt stock of GH¢ 11,106,550 which they inherited from the previous administration to justify why they could not disburse US$ 500,000 FIFA Forward money to the association.

    But the dissenters say the branded ‘Legacy Debt’ is contrary to the financial statement presented to congress last December.

    ”Apart from the dark cloud of doubt hanging over the credibility of most of the so-called ‘legacy debts’ of the GFA, the audited financial statements of the GFA over the years (at least from 2006-2019) do not lend the much needed helping hand to the claims of the GFA,” the officials told Graphic Sports.

    ”The claim by the GFA is merely a one-sided financial monologue. Assuming without admitting that the association is swimming in a pool of debt, it’s true that the GFA failed or refused to add that upon assumption of office, it inherited a windfall of revenues, including but not limited to a whopping US$1m paid by Glo.

    ”These revenues were applied to the payment of non-essential expenditures such as the needless renovation of the GFA office premises, the payment of high salaries to new recruits, allowances of Executives, all without the requisite approval of a budget by congress, among others.

    ”A prudent disbursement of the monies received by the current administration would have left the GFA in a better financial state of health.”

    In addition, they argue that a thorough review of the GFA financial statements submitted to congress in December 2019 is in contradiction to the claim by the Ex.Co.

    ”Current assets of the GFA, that are funds set aside to meet short-term external obligations, was projected at GHc15.8 million. The current liabilities of the GFA was estimated at GHc4.1 million, which by implication gives a net current assets of GHc11.77 million,” he said.

    ”This indicates a strong liquidity position of the current assets covering up an external indebtedness by 3.8 times. The claim that the post-balance sheet events of the GFA occurred immediately after June 2019 is not true as most of the indebtedness being made on the GFA were in existence as far back 2001/2002.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • 2019/20 Ghana football season remains suspended until June 30

    The 2019/20 football season remains suspended until June 30, 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced on Wednesday.

    As part of measures to control the spread of the virus, the government banned all public gatherings including sporting activities in March. This led to the GFA suspending the Ghana Premier League and other competitions.

    Last week, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) wrote to member associations to confirm the future of their competitions by close of May 5, 2020.

    Congo, Niger, Liberia, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Kenya, Guinea and Angola have all taken the decision to end their competitions.

    However, the GFA has decided against ending the season following an Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.

    “The Executive Council at its meeting on Tuesday, May 5, decided that the status quo remains, stating that the Association is in various engagements with government, the Health Ministry, the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the GFA Medical Committee, CAF and FIFA,” the GFA published on their website, Wednesday.

    “The Executive Council further decided that the Association will continue to monitor the situation and would revisit it on June 30, 2020 after a careful assessment and evaluation of the issue and to take further decisions.”

    “The GFA will consider all the factors at the time and take all the necessary decisions to ensure the safety of all participants and the smooth completion of the season.”

     

    Source: Joy Sports 

  • Kurt Okraku was in Nyantakyi’s house on eve of GFA election – Kofi Manu disclose

    Experienced football administrator, Kofi Manu ‘Blue Boy’ has disclosed that Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku was in the house of Lawyer Kwesi Nyantaki on the eve of the presidential elections.

    The presidential election of the Ghana FA was held at the Physicians and Surgeons center in Accra on October 24, 2019. At the end of a very successful exercise, Kurt Okraku was crowned the winner after beating the likes of George Afriyie, Fred Pappoe, Nana Yaw Amponsah, and a couple of others.

    Days after the election, it was speculated that some of the candidates had visited former GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi to seek his help in winning the polls.

    Months on, Kof Manu Blue Boy has revealed that Kurt Okraku visited Kwesi Nyantaki at his residence on the eve of the election.

    “Ask Kurt Okraku where he was around 3am on the eve of GFA elections. He was in Nyantakyi’s house”, the outspoken football administrator said.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • GFA legacy debt: Government must hire independent body to audit GFA accounts – Nana Fitz

    Veteran football administrator, Nana Fitz has called on the government to set up an independent body to audit the finance of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

    The Kurt Okraku’s led administration last week revealed that they inherited Ghc11 million debt.

    The details of the debts were contained in a document titled “GFA Legacy Debts” which was presented to club administrators during a recent Executive Council meeting.

    According to the FA, a debt of $180,000 owed to former Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah as outstanding salaries and bonuses.

    But the outspoken administrator argued that government is in charge of paying Black Stars coach so why did the FA captured the said amount in their documents.

    He opined that the said FA’s legacy debt is completely fraud.

    “The FA legacy debt is completely fraud,” he told Happy FM.

    “Why is the Ghana Football Association now telling us that they owe such amount?

    “Kurt Okraku was part of the past administration and an Executive Committee member so why is he now telling us this now? Are they hiding something from us?

    “I am calling on the government to set up an independent body to audit the accounts of the GFA because government is in charge of paying Black Stars coach so why have the FA captured $180,000 as a debt they must pay to Kwesi Appiah?

    “It does not sound right to me. The FA needs to come clean because I don’t believe what they are telling the public,” he added.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • GFA seeks two-week grace period from CAF to decide on 2019/2020 season – PRO

    The Ghana Football Association Spokesperson, Henry Asante Twum, has disclosed that the FA has request for an extension from CAF to decide on the future of the 2019/20 football season as today marks the deadline for Member Associations to decide whether to continue or truncate the season.

    The Ghana FA last week engaged the various stakeholders in a virtual meeting since the outbreak to decide on the future of the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League.

    Most of the clubs have suggested that the 2019/20 football season should be cancelled whilst others have spoken against the proposal.

    The GFA is set to meet with the Executive Council after consulting with the clubs and then later with government and health authorities before taking a final decision.

    Henry Asante Twum in an interview confirmed that the GFA has given CAF a situational report on the pandemic in Ghana.

    “We have sent a situational report by giving CAF enough info on what is happening in Ghana”, he told Asempa FM.

    “We have notify them that we cannot take a decision without adhering to the directives from government. We have given CAF an update and we have requested for two weeks where by we will come up with a firm plan and decision going forward”, he added.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ghana FA holds discussions with clubs over future of Premier League

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has completed a series of meetings with stakeholders on the status and future of the nation’s sport in the wake of the disturbing coronavirus pandemic.

    First and second-tier clubs in both the men’s and women’s leagues as well as the 10 Regional Football Associations (RFAs) participated in the conferences.

    According to a publication on the GFA’s official website, the meetings were meant to “update members on the finances of the GFA, the much-talked-about Fifa Forward operations Funds, the Fifa Covid-19 Emergency Fund and the way forward for Ghana football, among others”.

    The future of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) prominently featured in the discussions as the FA has up to Tuesday to decide the fate of the championship which has ground to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    “I think this has been a very good and useful exercise,” said general secretary Prosper Harrison Addo.

    “We needed to update our members on issues and to seek their views and contributions on various areas of the Association. I would like to thank all the clubs and the RFAs for their participation, contributions and suggestions.

    “We have very resourceful and insightful members who made excellent contributions and provided valuable viewpoints on the development of the game during the engagements.

    “The Executive Council will continue with our engagements with other stakeholders for a clear decision on the way forward and support for our membership in a difficult time like this.

    “The government has been very open and we appreciate their support thus far and we shall continue to engage them until we bring finality to the matter.”

    The FA is yet to provide an update on the future of the league following the discussions.

    The meetings were held via Zoom Video Conferencing.

    Source: goal.com

  • GFA allegedly broke amid stand-off with clubs

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is said to be broke with the outfit struggling to pay salary of staff.

    It was revealed during a Zoom Cloud Meeting with owners of Division One League Zone 1 on Wednesday that the association was on its knees with huge financial burden crippling the new Executive Council.

    Supposedly, the Kurt Okraku administration is said to have inherited a depleted account from the Normalisation Committee, putting the finances of the FA in massive distress.

    FA president Kurt Okraku has been holding a high-powered meeting with football club owners in the country amid the Coronavirus crisis which has wrecked havoc globally.

    The association has been in a disbursement stand-off with clubs over a $500,000 stimulus package from world governing body, FIFA to the GFA.

    While the FA is eager to use the cash operational cost, some clubs want the money to be shared for its members a situation which has sparked tension between the two parties.

    But it is now emerging that the Ghana FA is broke as it struggles to pay salary of its staff.

    The Normalisation Committee has been unable to account for over GH¢5m since being replaced by the substantive body, it was disclosed.

    Football in Ghana has remained suspended since March 16, 2020, with clubs struggling to pay staff and players due to the outbreak of the virus.

    The situation has forced the clubs to call on the FA to come to their aid with financial support.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Ghana FA cannot extend financial support to clubs without approval from FIFA – Fred Pappoe

    Former Ghana FA Vice President, Fred Pappoe says the $500,000 stimulus package from FIFA to the Ghana FA is solely for operational cost and not to be shared among the clubs.

    The GFA is set to receive $500,000 as a stimulus package from FIFA to its Member Associations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Some Ghanaian club administrators are demanding for a share of the money from the GFA as they call on the FA to extend financial support to the clubs due to the pandemic.

    Fred Pappoe explained that the money from FIFA cannot be shared to the clubs because it is meant to carry out a specific purpose which the FA will later account for.

    “The money is for FA operational expenses and there are clear guidelines on what the money can be used for. It makes it difficult if clubs are demanding for a share of the money. The prescription and guidelines which accompanies the money will not allow the GFA to do that”, he told Happy FM.

    “The monies given to the GFA will be accounted for, and there will be auditing as well by FIFA”.

    He suggested that the GFA should send a proposal to FIFA if they are to extend support to the clubs.

    “I am sure the GFA can put up a proposal to FIFA to explain to them about sharing the money with the Ghanaian clubs during these difficult times”.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA says it is broke amid stand-off with clubs over $500,000 FIFA money

    The Ghana Football Association is completely broke with the outfit struggling to pay salary of staff, it has emerged.

    The association is on its knees with huge financial burden crippling the new Executive council.

    This was revealed during a Zoom Cloud Meeting with owners of Division One League Zone 1 on Wednesday.

    The Kurt Okraku administration inherited a depleted account from the Normalisation committee, putting the finances of the FA in a massive distress.

    FA president Kurt Okraku has been holding a high-powered meeting with football club owners in the country amid the coronavirus crisis which has wrecked havoc globally.

    The association has been in a disbursement stand-off with clubs over a $500,000 stimulus package from world governing body, FIFA to the Ghana Football Association.

    While the FA want to use the cash operational cost, some clubs want the money to be shared for its members – a situation which has sparked tension between the two parties.

    But it has now emerged that the Ghana FA is broke as it struggles to pay salary of its staff.

    The Normalisation Committee has been unable to account for over 5 million Ghana cedis since being replaced by the substantive body, it has emerged.

    Football in Ghana has remained suspended since March 16, 2020, with clubs struggling to pay staff and players due to the outbreak of the virus.

    The situation has forced the clubs to call on the FA to come to their aid with financial support.

    However, the FA for the past month has been trying to get a stimulus package from the Covid-19 Trust Fund set up by government.

     

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA given till May 5 to decide whether to cancel or continue with league season

    The Ghana Football Association has until May 5, 2020, to make a decision on the status of the 2019/ 2020 league season.

    The decision has become necessary following the abrupt suspension of the league due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

    Football governing body on the continent, Confederation of African Football, CAF, has directed, in a letter written to all General Secretaries of Football Administrations in the member nations, that a determination of the league status should be decided by May 5, 2020.

    UEFA is yet to decide the status of the UCL but some member countries have either suspended their leagues or made plans to resume.

    Belgium, France and the Netherlands have all been forced to end their seasons because of the suspension of sporting activities in the respective countries by the government.

    Britain, Germany and Italy, some of the hardest-hit countries of the pandemic have, however, initiated talks to resume their seasons though concrete dates are yet to be announced.

    To make appropriate plans for football on the continent and draw a timetable to guide football activities in Africa, CAF says, “In view of the current circumstances, we would like to enquire about the current situation of your national leagues/ National cup (ranking, number of pending matches etc…) as well as the strategies you intend to apply to finalise those competitions be it through completion or annulment

    “We would appreciate receiving a reply by the 5th of May  2020, in order to enable us to design a plan for the organisation of our interclub competitions during the next season,” the statement added.

    The suspension of the league season has come as deadly blow to the clubs in the Ghana Premier League as clubs were just recovering from a 2-year break following the dissolution of the FA.

    This was as a result of an investigative piece that uncovered alleged cases of corruption and malfeasance by the administration at the time.

    Source: ABCNewsGh.com 

  • Ghana FA must extend financial support to the various bodies – Kojo Yankah

    Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council member, Kojo Yankah, has urged the FA to extend support to the various stakeholders from the stimulus package to come from FIFA.

    The GFA is set to receive $500,000 from the world governing body as a stimulus package due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Some clubs have called on the FA to extend some support to them when the FIFA money arrives.

    According to the former Western Regional Football Association chairman, the Ghana FA should extend support to the referees, match commissioners and clubs when they receive the money from FIFA.

    “The clubs must be given some of the money. They should also pay referees and match commissioners who are owed”, he told Happy FM.

    “The Covid-19 has affected everybody and this is money from FIFA. If everybody will get a penny they will appreciate it”, he added.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • CAF writes to GFA to seek plans for the football season amidst coronavirus

    The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has written to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to seek for its plans for the 2019/2020 football season in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Ghana just like every African country has been affected by the Covid-19, leading to the suspension of the football season for the past couple of months.

    While it is unknown when the fight against the disease will be won, nobody knows when it will be same for the sport to resume in the region.

    In a letter from CAF to its member associations including Ghana, it has asked to be furnished with how the various associations are planning to finalize the football season.

    “In view of the current circumstance, we would like to enquire about the current situation of your national leagues/national cups (ranking, number of pending matches, etc.) as well as the strategies your intend to apply to finalize those competitions be it through competition or annulment”, a CAF letter dated April 26, 2020, said.

    CAF says it will stand on the feedback from the Ghana FA and the other football associations to design a plan for the organization of inter-club competitions for the next season.

    The GFA has until May 5, 2020, to submit its plans to CAF.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Dr. Prince Pambo dropped from GFA medical committee

    Celebrated medical practitioner and sports physician, Dr. Prince Pambo has been dropped from the Ghana Football Association’s medical committee.

    The doctor was excluded from the committee that will meet the FA on Tuesday, April 28, to discuss various issues including the Covid-19 pandemic and its related matters.

    Despite his omission from the committee, the experienced physician keeps his place on the medical committee of Africa’s football governing body CAF.

    Dr Pambo is the first Ghanaian doctor on the CAF Medical Committee. He was in charge of medical duties at the Nations Cup in Egypt last year, supervising Group E in Suez which featured Tunisia, Mali, Angola and Mauritania.

    The highly-respected medic has served as a medical manager for the various Ghana national teams, spanning over a decade.

    Meanwhile the FA’s three-man medical committee is chaired by former Black Stars Team Doctor Dr. Baba M. Adam with Dr. Kofi Ablorh and Dr. Percy Annan the other members.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA should consider paying referees from FIFA money- Alhaji Grunsah

    President and bank roller of King Faisal Football Club, Alhaji Karim Grunsah, has suggested to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to pay referees from the stimulus package yet to come from FIFA.

    The GFA is set to receive $500,000 as stimulus package from the world governing body due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The amount represents the operational funding for member associations for the years 2019 and 2020.

    In all, FIFA will distribute $150 million among its 211 member associations.

    According to Alhaji Grunsah, the referees have been owed for far too long and the FA must consider settling some of their debts when the money hit their account.

    “The referees money has been long overdue and they need to be paid. At least the FA should pay about 70% of monies owed them. It is very important. They must be paid so they can officiate the games very well”, he told Odi Asempa Kwame Oware on Wamputu Sports on Happy 98.9 FM.

    He added that the FA should also support the clubs in order to relieve them from some debts.

    “The FA should consider sharing a percentage of the monies to clubs”.

    Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for the Ghana Football Association, Henry Asante Twum, has disclosed to the media that the financial aid from FIFA is for operational costs of the FA and not meant for clubs.

    Source: happyghana.com

  • Appoint a practicable Technical Director- Mohammed Polo tells GFA

    Former Black Stars midfielder and 1978 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, Mohammed Polo has called on the leadership of the Ghana Football Association to appoint a technical director who is practicable.

    The technical directorate position has become vacant following the exit of Oti Akenteng last month.

    According to Polo, it will be prudent for the football association to appoint someone who is tried and tested and understand the job to lead the technical department of the Ghana FA.

    “I think those who have applied for the job can do it but I pray they appoint someone who understand football. We have competent people to do the job, I will suggest to the leadership of the FA to appoint someone who is tried and tested and practical to head the technical department”

    “They should give the job to somebody who understands the practical and theory aspect of the game” he told Bryt FM.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • GFA Ethics Committee receives videos from Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye PI

    The Ghana Football Association Ethics Committee has taken delivery of the raw footage of “Number 12 exposé” from Tiger Eye PI.

    The Accra-based investigative organization on June 6, 2018 premiered an anti-graft investigations involving Ghanaian football officials.

    The investigations was meant to uncover some unscrupulous behaviour in the Ghanaian football fraternity.

    The Executive Council in February 2020, requested for the raw footage of the “Number 12 exposé” in order to deal with the matter which remains one of the key Compliance and Integrity demands from FIFA.

    The videos are key components for the Ethics Committee in its work on this governance issue.

    Officials of Tiger Eye PI have also assured the GFA of their preparedness to assist the Ethics Committee in its work.

    Receiving the footage, General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo thanked officials of Cromwell Gray LLP (lawyers of Tiger Eye PI) on behalf of the Ghana Football Association assuring all that work will commence immediately on the matter to bring closure to all stakeholders including FIFA.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • GFA officials influence player selections into the national teams – Wilfred Osei Kwaku alleges

    Former GFA Presidential aspirant, Wilfried Osei Kwaku claims that player selection into the national teams is influenced by officials of the federation.

    According to the Bankroller of Division One side Tema Youth, it is an ‘open secret’ insisting some players are not even fit to be in the national teams.

    The outspoken football administrator reveals the technical aspect of the game has been ignored for the individual interests of officials.

    “This is an open secret that GFA officials influence the selection of players into the national team. There are some players who come to the national team but are not fit to be in the team,” Palmer told the Daily Graphic.

    “Instead of we looking at things from a technical perspective, we tend to look for players very close to us to be part of the team, irrespective of their level or quality of skills they have.

    “If you have your doubts, you can talk to the ex-coaches and they will tell you a lot,” he added.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • It will be an insult for GFA to appoint a foreigner as Technical Director – Polo

    Former Black Stars player and 1978 Africa Cup Of Nations winner, Mohammed Polo has made some suggestions to the GFA in the appointment of a new Technical Director.

    The technical directorate position is now unoccupied after Oti Akenteng’s long term service came to and last month.

    Speaking to Richmond K Entsie on Tru FM, Mohammed Polo claimed that Ghanaians are matured to do the work.

    According to Mohammed Polo “we don’t need to appoint any foreigner for the job due to the maturity of our football”.

    “We have old footballers who can do the work. For white man to come in to this is an insult to our integrity.”

    “Don’t we have sense? What has the white men done for us? They can’t do anything because we have our own destiny that is why we gained independent.

    “This is the time to look for the right person to help our football because the Technical Director is there for our football policies especially the development of our football.

    “We have the qualities in the system but we are not developing it. The football is like our food and it differ from the foreigners. It’s unnecessary to appoint foreigner. We have to think far.” He said.

    Source: Richmond K Entsie/Contributor

  • We had no business starting the 2019/2020 Ghana league season – Palmer

    Tema Youth boss Wilfred Osei Kwaku “Palmer” insists it was premature to have started the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League season in December last year.

    The new season started on December 21, 2019 despite protest from some Premier League clubs.

    However, the GFA pushed through and got the campaign underway before the Coronavirus pandemic halted the league.

    But former Ghana FA executive committee member says the timing of the start of the league was wrong.

    “We had no business starting the league. We should have dotted the I’s and crossing the T’s,” he told Asempa FM

    “My team (Tema Youth) were prepared for the league but we rush into it. We should have used the reform process to cleanse ourselves.

    “It was premature to have started the league. We need to take our time to win over corporate Ghana before we got kick-in.”

    Source: footballghana.com

  • GFA wrong to seek financial help from government – Palmer

    Bankroller of Tema Youth, Wilfred Osei Kwaku Palmer was left “surprised” Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okrakua borrowed money from government for clubs amid coronavirus pandemic.

    The disease also called COVID-19 has hit several clubs in Ghana following the suspension of all football activities until further notice.

    As a result, most clubs are struggling financially to cater for the needs of their players.

    The GFA boss Kurt Okraku appealed to the government to include clubs in the GH¢1 billion Coronavirus Alleviation Programme being rolled out to cushion Ghanaians against the virus.

    According to Palmer, he disclosed that the FA should have asked government to remove the 17.5% VAT they pay for gate proceeds for about two years so that the cost of football will reduce.

    “I was surprised that Kurt Okraku went to government to borrow money for the clubs. For me I would have asked government to remove the 17.5% VAT they let us pay for gate proceeds for about two years so that the cost of football will be low and we will be able to generate revenue,” he told Asempa FM.

    “We all need to meet and generate a policy document because that is what the government understands.”

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Ghana FA consoles bereaved former defender John Pantsil

    The Ghana Football Association has expressed its deepest condolences to John Paintsil who lost the mother on Tuesday.

    Juliana Painstil passed away at the Nyaho Clinic in Accra after battling a short illness.

    The Ghana FA has taken to Twitter to mourn with the former international.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • “Nothing has changed” – Palmer passes damning verdict on Ghana FA administration

    Tema Youth president Wilfred Osei Kwaku “Palmer” has passed a damning verdict on the new administration of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), insisting “nothing has changed”.

    The astute football administrator says the Kurt Okraku-led administration has done little or nothing to change the fortunes of football in the West African nation.

    Palmer, who is still contesting his disqualification from the Ghana FA presidential race, has been assessing the six-month old administration of Mr Okraku.

    “I must say its quite unfortunate but to state it bluntly nothing has changed,” he told Asempa FM on Thursday.

    “We would have wished for more reforms to take place but nothing of that sort has taken place.

    “We have run football and I’m being blunt. Nothing has changed.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com