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Tag: GFA

  • Osei Palmer reveals identity of person who masterminded his GFA election disqualification

    Wilfred Osei Kwaku ‘Palmer’ has dropped a massive bombshell by revealing that ‘a person very active in football administration’ in the country altered a report and specifically designed it to disqualify him from the recent Ghana FA Presidential election.

    The owner of Division One League side Tema Youth rejected widespread claims that government was behind the decision insisting that the higher authorities had no hands in the decision to bar him from the GFA’s Presidential election race.

    He also somewhat absolved the Normalization Committee from full blame revealing that some key active members of the Ghana football fraternity plotted decision to disqualify him.

    Palmer was among the favourites to win the Ghana FA presidential election in October last year but a decision from the Vetting Committee for the Normalisation Committee banned him from the contest.

    The Vetting Committee, chaired by lawyer Frank Davies, disqualified him from the race claiming he had breached the Ghana FA financial regulations for failing to pay the 10% fee to the federation over the transfer of Joseph Paintsil.

    The Vetting Committee ruled that Palmer’s failure to pay the 10% due the GFA over the transfer of his former star winger from Tema Youth to Belgian giants Genk shows he doesn’t have the integrity to lead the federation.

    Palmer subsequently dragged the Normalisation Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Switzerland claiming he was unfairly disqualified from the race.

    With just under one week before CAS delivers its verdict on the decision to disqualify him from the race, Palmer says there some there were some unseen forces within the football fraternity at play to exclude him.

    “My disqualification was an agenda that was deliberately championed by ‘some football people’ and not the government,” Osei Palmer told Angel FM.

    “My disqualification from the GFA presidential election was a grand scheme to take me out. I know those who wrote the report to disqualify me. It was not from any member of the Normalisation Committee.

    “A very active respectable person in the football fraternity altered the document.”

    Kurt Okraku subsequently won the race to become the new Ghana FA president and has been in charge of the federation since October last year.

    His administration has been left with the burden of defending the decision of disqualifying Palmer from the race at CAS even though they were not charge of the GFA when the decision was taken.

    CAS is expected to rule on the decision by 1 September – the same date that the GFA holds its congress in Prampram.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Coronavirus: GFA sets aside over GHS 2 million to test players ahead of new season

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is determined to start the 2020/21 season amid Coronavirus pandemic and have reportedly set aside a total of GHS2,656,800 to test players.

    The GFA want to test all players in Ghana Premier League, Division One League and Women’s Premier League.

    According to the report, the amount will cover the cost of testing all the players, technical handlers and management members before the season gets underway. A total of 3,444 people will be tested.

    Football activities have been banned since the outbreak of the deadly virus in March. This forced the GFA to cancel the 2019/20 season.

    However, the GFA has set October 31 as the start date for the season to commence.

    Their proposed date, is, however, subject to the government lifting the ban on football.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA to receive 100 footballs from CAF

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has decided to support member Associations with one hundred (100) footballs for use by Associations as match balls.

    As a result, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will be a beneficiary of this gesture as the continental football governing body, work to support member Associations via the FIFA Forward programme. This was communicated to the GFA on Thursday, August 13, 2020 in a letter by CAF.

    “In light with CAF efforts to support its National Associations, CAF has the pleasure to inform you that it has been decided to provide 100 match balls to each Member Association”. the letter said.

    The 100 match balls are part of the FIFA Forward Program and the distribution is scheduled over two batches (end of August and end of September).

    The 100 footballs from CAF will be used by the national teams of the Association.

    It would be recalled that the GFA announced plans to support grassroots football with 6,000 balls through its FIFA Forward 1.0 programme.

    The GFA also announced a 5,000-football sponsorship deal for the male competitions, the Ghana Premier League, Division One League and the FA Cup for the next three seasons.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • Ghana FA to receive footballs from CAF

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has decided to support member Associations with one hundred (100) footballs for use by Associations as match balls.

    As a result, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will be a beneficiary of this gesture as the continental football governing body, work to support member Associations via the FIFA Forward programme. This was communicated to the GFA on Thursday, August 13, 2020 in a letter by CAF.

    “In light with CAF efforts to support its National Associations, CAF has the pleasure to inform you that it has been decided to provide 100 match balls to each Member Association”. the letter said.

    The 100 match balls are part of the FIFA Forward Program and the distribution is scheduled over two batches (end of August and end of September).

    The 100 footballs from CAF will be used by the national teams of the Association.

    It would be recalled that the GFA announced plans to support grassroots football with 6,000 balls through its FIFA Forward 1.0 programme.

    The GFA also announced a 5,000-football sponsorship deal for the male competitions, the Ghana Premier League, Division One League and the FA Cup for the next three seasons.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • GFA Executive Council to hold final meeting over appointment of Technical Director

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association [GFA] will hold a final meeting today over the appointment of a new Technical Director.

    The Technical Director job of the GFA has been vacant following the exit of Francis Oti Akentang in March 2020.

    Six candidates have been shortlisted for the job which includes three local coaches and three expatriates coaches.

    Last week, Footballghana reported that German and former Cameroonian gaffer, Winfried Schäfer is the leading candidate for the job.

    Despite holding a meeting last week at the premises of the Ghana Football Association, the Executive Council will take a final decision today.

    Meanwhile, Abdul Faisal, the younger brother of Yusif Chibsah is the only local coach who is also in poll for the position.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Relief for Ghana Premier League clubs as GFA grants 50% waiver on loaned monies

    The Ghana Football Association has decided to waive off fifty percent of the remainder of the loan owed by the Ghana Premier League clubs.

    The Ghana FA gave out GH¢50,000 loan to each top-flight club before the start of the 2019/2020 season.

    Half of that amount was waived off when the Coronavirus pandemic broke in Ghana in March with GH¢25,000 left to be paid by the clubs.

    The Ghana FA Executive Council reached the decision to let go off half of the remaining owed monies by each of the eighteen premiership clubs.

    The council are doing this to enable the clubs to mitigate the financial difficulties they have faced during the coronavirus crisis.

    Each club will now have to pay GH¢12,000 to the Ghana FA.

    This amount will be deducted from any sponsorship secured by the football association in relation to the Ghana Premier League.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA focused on delivering its mandate not impeding CAS verdict – Prosper Harrison Addo

    The General Secretary of the Ghana FA, Prosper Harrison Addo says the FA is focused on delivering on its mandate and not perturbed about the impeding Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) verdict between the FA and Tema Youth President Wilfred Osei Kwaku.

    Wilfred Osei Kwaku is seeking redress at CAS for his disqualification from last year’s Ghana FA presidential election by then Ghana FA Normalisation Committee led by Dr Kofi Amoah.

    Osei Palmer was disqualified for failing to pay a 10 per cent fee on a player transfer to the FA.

    The verdict from CAS may lead to re-election should it go in the way of Palmer which endangers the current administration led by Kurt Okraku.

    The General Secretary, Prosper Harrison says the impeding case has no bearing on the FA’s day to day administration.

    “We have a lot to do at the Ghana FA Secretariat so we don’t have the luxury to be thinking about the CAS verdict. We will follow to any directive from CAS but for now, we have a lot doing such as securing sponsorship, working with FIFA and also preparing for Congress”

    The CAS verdict on the Ghana FA and Wilfred Osei Kwaku was supposed to be out on Tuesday, August 4 but has delayed with both parties yet to receive an official communication to that effect.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Tension in the air as CAS fails to deliver much-anticipated GFA-Palmer verdict

    There is massive tension in the air after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) failed to deliver the much-anticipated verdict involving Wilfred Kweku Osei “Palmer” and the Ghana Football Association on Tuesday.

    The delayed verdict has sparked an uneasy calm for both the appellant and defendant.

    Palmer is seeking to overturn last years Ghana FA Presidential election after being disqualified.

    The global tribunal body confirmed Tuesday August 4 as the date to announce the verdict to bring to an end a 10-month litigation which has far reaching implication for the administration of football in the West African nation.

    While several watchers had been keen on the much-awaited verdict, CAS swerved Ghanaians by refusing to release the final judgment on Tuesday after initial postponement from July 17.

    These are frenetic times for the followers of both disqualified Osei and current FA boss Kurt Okraku.

    Palmer dragged the FA to the apex of world sports court after he was disqualified from contesting the 2019 Presidential election by the Normalisation Committee.

    There are two things likely to happen – CAS to throw out the case and allow the status quo to remain or order for a re-run of the election if it was deemed the plaintiff was unfairly disqualified from the race.

    CAS will announce the decision whether to uphold Palmer’s quest to annul the election and order for fresh polls to decide on a new President for the GFA or allow the status quo to remain.

    The situation has put the presidency of Kurt Okraku on the line with wide-reaching implications if Palmer becomes successful.

    The ruling from CAS will put to rest months of intense anxiety involving all the principal actors.

    An initial ruling on July 17, 2020 was postponed to Tuesday August 4, 2020.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Albert Commey and Takyi Arhin caught in a ‘big lie’ over CAS ruling claims?

    Albert Commey and Takyi Arhin have been caught in a gargantuan imagination after claiming that both the appellant and defendant in the case involving Wilfred Kweku Osei “Palmer” and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) have been served with the Executive Summary of the verdict.

    The claim by Commey, the current Chief Executive Officer of Techiman Eleven Wonders and his predecessor Takyi Arhin is turning out to be hoax following further probing by local journalists.

    Checks by GHANAsoccernet with both the appellant and the defendant have revealed that no summary verdict has been delivered to the parties.

    Indeed, there is no executive summary from the global tribunal to question the bold claims from both Albert Commey and Takyi Arhin.

    “Both Palmer and GFA have received the summary of the verdict but it is up to Palmer who is the complainant to release the it to the public,” Albert Commey claimed on Angel FM.

    “I will not blame the GFA if they decide hold the verdict because they are not the complainant.”

    Given the massive public interest in the case, the claim by Commey and Arhin, who are staunch supporters of current GFA boss Kurt Okraku has surprised many.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • CAS to adjudicate Palmer/GFA case on Tuesday

    The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) is set to give a ruling to the much-awaited Wilfred Kwaku Osei (Palmer) versus Ghana Football Association (GFA) case on Tuesday, August 4.

    The judgment which was initially fixed July 17 was postponed to the new date by CAS which according to them was in pursuant to Article R59 of the Code of Sports-related Arbitration.

    For the past 11 months, the Tema Youth President had been seeking justice at CAS after he was disqualified from the 2019 GFA Presidential elections by the Normalisation Committee (NC).

    He was disqualified from the count of two charges which include the failure to pay transfer commission to the football association as well as failing an integrity test.

    After his disqualification by the Vetting Committee of the NC, Palmer filed an appeal which was swiftly rejected and resorted to the highest Court in Sports.

    He later filed an appeal against the decision of the Normalisation Committee at the Court of Arbitration for Sports.

    In July, CAS issued a communique spelling out the procedure and period of the release of their verdict on the matter pending before the body on August 4.

    Source: GNA

  • Narteh-yoe replaces Wilfred Kwaku Osei on GFA Ad-hoc Compensation Committee

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has appointed Mr. Sampson Narteh-yoe, a Financial Economist to replace Mr. Wilfred Kwaku Osei on the three-man Ad-hoc compensation Committee.

    This follows the decision of Mr. Kwaku Osei, President of Tema Youth Sporting Club to decline his appointment to serve on the committee for personal reasons.

    Mr. Narteh-yoe is a lecturer in Finance and Business Policy and Strategy with over 20 years work experience in various industries including Telecoms, Banking, Petroleum, FMCG, Manufacturing and NGOs.

    Currently, he is a finance consultant and lectures Business Policy and Strategy, Investment and Portfolio Management, International Trade Finance and Project Financing at the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

    Mr. Narteh-yoe is expected to bring his experience to bear when he joins Mr. Frederick Nana Kweku Moore, the Chief Executive Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club and Mr. Delali Eric Senaye, Chief Executive Officer of Inter Allies Football Club on the Committee.

    The mandate of the Committee, as provided under Article 42(2) of the GFA Statutes 2019, is to propose to the GFA Congress the remuneration of members of the Executive Council.

    The Committee is expected to submit its work in time to form part of the Congress documents that will be sent to members of Congress as the formal convocation of Congress under Article 31(3) of the GFA Statutes 2019.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • Ghanaian clubs petition GFA to revert plans to hold Congress via video conferencing

    More than 60 Ghanaian clubs have signed a petition seeking to stop the Ghana Football Association (GFA) from holding the upcoming Ordinary Congress via video conferencing.

    In a letter from the Ghana FA to clubs and its members earlier this week, they indicated that the 26th Ordinary Congress has been scheduled for Thursday, August 27.

    Due to the ban on public gathering which does not allow more than 100 persons to converge in one place, the FA added that a decision has been taken for Congress to be held via a video conference call.

    Earlier today, Oyerepa FM disclosed that some 60 Ghanaians clubs have signed a petition to oppose the move by the GFA.

    “It’s a collective decision to write to the FA, we have discussed among ourselves but yet to put on paper”, a club official told Oyerepa FM on condition of anonymity.

    Subsequently, a letter from Medeama Sporting Club signed by President Moses Armah Parker has stressed that Congress can be convened.

    “We wish to state that following the ease of some restrictions by the Government of Ghana on public gatherings Act, 20Act 1012(E.t 164)”

    “We believe Congress can be convened with the needed protocols strictly followed”, the letter said.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad wants Bernard Tekpetey on loan

    Bulgarian top-flight side PFC Ludogorets Razgrad are interested in landing Ghanaian winger Bernard Tekpetey this summer.

    Ludogorets want to sign Tekpetey on loan with an option to buy permanently.

    The 22-year-old joined relegated Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer on loan for two seasons from Schalke 04 until June 2021.

    Tekpetey is reluctant to continue with Fortuna next season as manager Uwe Rosler doesn’t consider him enough in the team.

    Ludogorets will have to pay a compensation of 200,000 Euros to be able to take the winger on loan for the 2020/2021 season.

    The Fortuna officially released Tekpetey on Monday until Wednesday, July 29, “so that he can take care of his personal future during this time,” said the Fortuna

    Tekpetey made only 9 appearances for the Fortuna in the German top-flight this season.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • 43 clubs write to GFA to demand changes to statutes, demand fair representation

    All the key parts of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) have written to the federation to force a large change to the statutes of the organisation, implying it is not fit for purpose, Ghana’s leading football news outfit Ghanasoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

    At least 33 members of congress are required to force the changes to the statutes of the GFA but more than 43 members have so far written and signed a resolution to call for the changes to the statutes.

    Clubs from all the top tiers of Ghana’s football federation as well as some regional bodies have supported the motion for the reforms of the statutes that are currently governing football in the country.

    More clubs are writing to support the motion for the changes and the number is expected to hit 60 by the close of Wednesday even though the number has surpassed what is required to force the GFA to change its laws.

    Clubs are demanding a whopping 51 changes to the articles of the GFA statutes insisting that it is not truly representative of their interests and the interest of football in the country.

    The changes to the statutes was mooted by the Chairman of the Brong Ahafo Regional FA Ralph Gyambrah and has now gained widespread support among congress members to force the change.

    Among the top clubs to have supported the changes are Premier League sides WAFA, Karela, Bechem, Ashanti Gold, Liberty Professionals, Elmina Sharks, Aduana and Medeama SC, Dwarfs and King Faisal.

    Several Division One sides have also lent their support to the changes seeking to bring sanity to football administration in Ghana and they are New Edubiase, BA United, Okyeman planners, Hasaacas, Berekum Arsenals, Swedru All Blacks and several other clubs. Women’s clubs have also supported the move.

    Among the key changes being demanded are the increase of the number of members of Congress where the number of the RFA representatives, Women’s Premier League from 8 to 16 while the RFA are increased from 2 to three to cover the broader interest of football in the country.

    The members are also demanding the increase of the number of the members of the Executive Council by seven to ensure broader views in the Council .

    Six will present the Premier League clubs instead of the current 5, 5 instead of three for DOL while RFAs will increase from the current 2 to 5 with two slots for Women’s Elite clubs.

    The other key change being sought after is to reduce the agitation, tension and anxiety that surrounded the recent GFA election with the proposed changes seeking ‘clarity and simplification of  the electoral process’.

    “For the elections of the President, where there is only one candidate, the congress may decide to elect him/her by acclamation. Otherwise if there are two or fewer candidates, a simple majority (more than 50%) of the valid votes is necessary,” the proposed changes document said.

    “If there are more than two candidates for the election of president the first two would be picked to enter into a run-off after which a simple majority shall determine the winner.”

    Large swathes of members making up the GFA are said to be unhappy with the statutes bequeathed the current board of the GFA by the Normalisation Committee and have called for a massive overhaul to the statutes.

    This comes less than one year after the Normalisation Committee left office but has left GFA leadership scratching their heads that there are several unhappy members among their ranks.

    The changes will now be moved to Congress where it would be voted on before the changes would be effected.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Dr Nsiah Asare explains why restrictions on two female national teams was lifted

    Presidential adviser on health, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare has explained the reasons behind why the government eased restrictions on two female national teams.

    He says that the Sports Minister presented proposals to the government about impending assignments for the two female national teams.

    According to Dr Nsiah Asare the team will be camping at places where tight security will be provided in order to prevent the to and fro of persons into the training camp.

    “The minister of sports had earlier presented a proposal on the national teams who had international assignments so we had to advise the president to allow the teams train beginning 1st August 2020″he told Kumasi FM.

    “The return matches of these national teams will be playing behind closed doors,the GFA will chose the venues for these games”

    “The teams will be camped with tight security where no one will be allowed to come out as done in our second cycle institutions till they complete the return encounters”

    “We will be doing the mandatory testing for these national teams as FIFA has recommended and the European clubs are following” he added.

     

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Kurt Okraku’s administration urged to consider juvenile, schools football in balls distribution

    The Ghana Football Administration (GFA) under Kurt Okraku has been advised to pay particular attention to juvenile football also called colts.

    Makkenzy Golightly, a juvenile trainer based in the UK has called on the current football leaders to organize more training courses for juvenile and youth coaches and plan for more competitive matches all over the country.

    He said the grassroots are the foundation and they need support than the big clubs who must not depend on the GFA.

    “Football in Ghana must develop from down to the top, and not from the top to down, which is a disaster” he expressed.

    He noted that the colts and schools must be given more balls so that they can train well.

    He stressed that the national football plan or formation must be learnt and played from the kids level to the adult level.

    “We have our own system or formation called Agoro, and by this time we should have developed it and have a different vibration,” he said.

    According to him, it is sad that Ghana would reach the finals of the Africa Nations Cup competition and lose at the finals, and allow Cameroun and Egypt to win more tournaments than the Black Stars.

    He urged Kurt Okraku and his executive council to consider the schools and colleges, where there are educated talents as well as the kids in academies and colts to unearth the raw talents.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • My photo was used wrongly, I did not say GFA is corrupt – Singer Gambo

    Ghanaian trap rapper, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, philanthropist and investor, Gambo Bashir, says his picture was mistaken by several media outlets for that of footballer, Bashiru Gambo.

    Recently, a number of media houses carried a story headlined: ‘I told GFA not to invite me again because of corruption – Bashiru Gambo.’

    Instead of accompanying the footballer’s picture with the above-mentioned story, the photo of musician Gambo was used, creating the impression that the musician was speaking against corruption at the Ghana Football Association.

    However, the fast-rising singer and “Kwacha” hitmaker, has clarified that he did not say “I told GFA not to invite me because of corruption”.

    Gambo is a young Ghanaian musician who released his debut track “Kwacha” on February 5, 2020.

    Born in Ghana, the musician left to Guyana at an early age of 5 years but returned to Ghana at the age of 11 to continue school his basic education at SAPS and completed there in 2012.

    He furthered his education at Legon Presbyterian Boys, where his music passion was ignited and his music journey began.

    He completed in 2015 and went on to win the Ultimate Ghana Teen Choice Award at the Ghana Teens Choice Awards that same year.

    Moreover, he was the only Ghanaian artiste ranked in the top 5 upcoming African Acts in Spark Magazine with his song featuring Fortune Dane and Legacy, “Aye Aye”.

    In 2015, Gambo enrolled in the University of Ghana, Legon, where he studied Public Administration for 2 years and graduated with a diploma certificate and went further ahead to pursue his degree.

    Aside music, Gambo is a well-known entrepreneur, being the CEO of BlackMob, an organization setup to give the youth a platform to exhibit their talents, be it modelling, studio work, rapping or anything entertainment all over Ghana to Tanzania, U.S.A and worldwide.

    As well as being the CEO there, he is also the partner and investor of my cell phone repairs, which currently has 4 branches in Ghana; Accra, Kumasi, Kyebi and is working towards opening various branches in various places across Ghana.

    Gambo did not only pick up a music desire or entrepreneurial spirit from school, he also happens to be an event organizer and has organized major events such as Black Trap, Night of Black NOB, OZARK Phantom (1&2.0) as well as his April Rocks birth bash.

    He has also organized events for big clubs such Carbon, Onyx, Firefly, Luxe Club and Paparazzi as well as been in collaboration with big media houses such as 4syte, Shutdown, etc.

    Source: Melvin Tarlue, Ghanaweb Contributor

  • Berekum Arsenals President asked to substantiate ‘chop-chop’ allegetions

    President of Berekum Arsenals Alhaji Yakubu Moro has been asked to substantiate comments he made in a recent radio interview.

    The Club Administrator is alleged to have stated in an interview with Kumasi-based Light FM that the GFA Executive Council intends to share and “chop” the FIFA & CAF COVID-19 Relief funds.

    The GFA Ethics Committee has initiated investigations into the allegations and has written to Mr. Moro to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.

    Mr. Moro has been asked to submit a written Statement of Defence to the Ethics Committee on or before Monday, July 27, 2020, before 5 pm.

    According to the letter, should Mr. Moro fail to prove his allegations, his comments would be considered as a breach of Article 11(2)(a), (b) & (d) of the GFA Disciplinary Code (2019) and Article 22(2) & (3) of the GFA Code of Ethics (2019).

    Mr. Moro would be requested to appear before the Ethics Committee either physically or via video conferencing at its next sitting if he requests for a personal hearing or he fails to submit a written Statement of Defence.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • GFA thanks Ethiopia, Togo FAs for assistance in evacuating Ghanaian footballers

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has revealed sister federations, Ethiopia and Togo played a role in evacuating stranded Ghanaian footballers from Ethiopia.

    The GFA took to Twitter to express gratitude for their assistance.

    “The GFA expresses its appreciation to our sister football federations, the Ethiopian Football Federation and Togolese Football Federation for their assistance in bringing Ghanaian players home from Ethiopia,” the GFA wrote.

    The frustrated footballers who were stuck in Ethiopia due to the coronavirus pandemic were evacuated back to Ghana this past weekend. They are currently isolating at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre Of Excellence in Pampram.

    In June, a viral social media video showed over 20 players outside the Ghanaian High Commission in Ethiopia calling on the government of Ghana for evacuation after allegedly failing to get help from the Ghanaian consulate in Addis Ababa.

    The group was led by former Berekum Chelsea defender Lee Addy, who represented Ghana at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA signs GHC 1.6 million deal with Macron as official match ball partner

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has signed an agreement with kits and football manufacturer Macron as the Official match ball partner/sponsor.

    The deal, valued at one million six hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢1.6m) is for the next three seasons.

    Macron will be the official Match Ball partner for three of our products, i.e. Ghana Premier League, MTN FA Cup and the National Division One League.

    Macron will supply the GFA a total of Five Thousand (5,000) pieces of footballs and One Thousand and Five Hundred (1,500) pieces of bibs every season.

    The deal will help the GFA and clubs cut cost as allocation for football and bibs will be taken care of.

    Source: Pulse Ghana

  • Kudus record-breaking transfer should motivate GFA and govt to invest in grassroot football Oti Akenteng

    Ex-Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Director, Francis Oti Akenteng has called on the association and the Ministry of Youth And Sports to invest in grassroot football to unearth hidden talents for the country.

    The veteran coach reiterated that Kudus Mohammed’s move to Dutch giants, Ajax Amsterdam should be a motivational factor for people who want to venture into football business.

    The former Black Stars attacker signed a five year deal with Ajax for a transfer record for teenager from Ghana worth 9 million Euros from FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark and was handed with the number 20 jersey.

    In an interview with S.K Ntim of Bryt FM in Koforidua, the former Accra Hearts of Oak coach encouraged the GFA and the Sports Ministry to be keen about grassroot football which he believe can help the country to get great footballers in the future.

    “Now everybody knows that it is good to start our development from the grassroot because Kudus Mohammed is a product from the grassroot. It will be important for the Ghana FA to take it very serious that we need to develop our young ones from the grassroot”

    “When we are able to nature them from the grassroot, the U-17, U-20 and other national teams will not struggle with talents. I feel proud to be a Ghanaian now because of Kudus move to Ajax” he stated.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • GFA, GHALCA working to ensure football returns in October – Kudjoe Fianoo

    Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) boss Kudjoe Fianoo has disclosed that his outfit and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) are presently engaging the Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure the return of football in October.

    Football activities in the country have been halted since mid-March due to coronavirus pandemic and there is a national ban on contact sports that runs out at the end of July.

    The FA has announced an anticipated October return date for football.

    “We [GFA president Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku and I] met the Sports Minister [Isaac Kwame Asiamah] to thank the Government [of Ghana] through the ministry for coming to our aid by way of the YEA [Youth Employment Agency] package and even asked him to work around the clock if we could get more,” Fianoo told Oyerepa FM.

    “For us to resume football, we were told we have to convince the government beyond all reasonable doubt that whatever we want to do will be in the national interest but not some individual’s interest.”

    Fianoo also spoke about the controversy surrounding the GFA’s disbursement plan for coronavirus relief support from Fifa and Caf.

    On Thursday, the GFA announced it was expecting a combined $1.8m funds for prompt distribution to various industry stakeholders including Ghalca, men and women’s Premier League clubs, men’s Division Two clubs, Regional Football Associations (RFAs), and more.

    Some stakeholders have, however, expressed unhappiness about the disbursement plan.

    “I have heard the agitations of our members even though we are yet to receive the money, with some members questioning why Ghalca is getting $2000 [€1750],” he said.

    “But that notwithstanding, looking at how unhappy our members are, we will engage the FA president to find out if there’s a possibility to do broader consultations. At least they should give us the opportunity to also share our thoughts.

    “There’s the need for broader consultations because on a lighter side if care is not taken, this can result in a third world war.

    “Kurt’s administration is a listening one and I’m confident they will listen but should that fail, we will support whatever the members will say.”

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Breakdown: How GFA intends to blow $1.8m on clubs, national teams, others

    The Ghana football Association on Wednesday announced that it will be sharing the $1.8million it accrued from FIFA and CAF as coronavirus relief funds.

    The refreshing news comes after months of protest by some club administrators and players for support from the association.

    The decision to disburse the funds was made during a meeting of the FA Executive Council on the same day.

    As per the release by the FA, $1m was received as solidarity grant from FIFA, with an additional $500,000 reserved for women football. CAF also supported the FA with 300,000 making a total of $1.8m.

    The beneficiaries of the grant are football clubs, national teams, referees, match commissioners, Ghana League Clubs Association, Beach Soccer league and Futsal five-aside league.

    Breakdown

    $270,000 has been earmarked for the Ghana Premier League and with the league having 18 teams, each club is expected to get $15,000.

    The 16 Women League clubs will receive a combine fee of $160,000 which means each club will get $10,000.

    The Division One League with its membership of 48 teams will get $360,000 with individual clubs getting $7,500.

    There are 72 regional Division One League clubs and $60,000 has been allocated for them.

    The senior National team the Black Stars will get $17,000 for its operations while its female counterpart Black Queens have been given the $60,000.

    Get the full breakdown in the photo below

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Huge financial protection for clubs as GFA put players and staff on mandatory insurance policy

    Football players in Ghana are expected to get a historic financial protection with the Ghana Football Association set to enroll the principal actors on the National Health Insurance Policy in the West African nation, GHANAsoccernet.com can report.

    A combined 3,500 players and staff from the Premier League, Division One and the Women’s Premier League will benefit from the mandatory insurance cover.

    The laudable initiative, which will cost the Ghana FA a substantial amount of money, will see players, technical staff and management members enrolled on the policy.

    Each clubs will be required not to register more than 50 personnel – who will benefit from the lifetime package on the domestic front.

    The Ghana Football Association has set aside $26,000 for registration and other logistical activities of the beneficiaries.

    This will be a monumental heave of sigh relief for clubs who have struggled to enroll their staff on the National Health Insurance Scheme – and have risked being sanctioned by the state authorities over the years.

    While the FA shoulder some of the financial responsibilities on clubs, taken off the cost involved in the insurance cover of their staff has come timely amid coronavirus shutdown that has wrecked local football.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA Congress set for August 27

    The Ghana Football Association has announced that it will hold its 26th ordinary session Congress on Thursday, August 27, 2020.

    The decision was taken by the Executive Council following last Tuesday’s meeting held at the Headquarters in Accra.

    The meeting is expected to be held via a video conference in line with the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) on public gatherings due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

    A statement from the GFA read, “However, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant limitations imposed under the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) on public gatherings, the meeting cannot be held the usual way, where Congressmen and women gather at a venue for their deliberations and decision making.

    “It would be recalled in a bulletin (No.1 of 2020) addressed to all Companies and the media, the Registrar of Companies, pursuant to the power conferred on her by Section 378(2) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), directed that all companies may hold their Annual General Meetings (AGM) electronically.

    “In compliance with Article 31 of the GFA Statutes 2019, members of the GFA will be sent the formal convocation of Congress in writing accordingly”.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA contacts former Chelsea defender Tariq Lamptey – Reports

    Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reported to have contacted Brighton & Hove Albion defender, Tariq Lamptey over the possibility of playing for the Black Stars.

    The enterprising defender rose to through the ranks of Chelsea academy.

    Lamptey caught the eyes of several clubs following his display against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium replacing Fikayo Tomori in the 59th minute where he was a lively presence helping Chelsea to come back from 10 down to win 21.

    However, in January, the 19-year-old joined Brighton from Chelsea, signing a three and a half year deal.

    And according to reports, the hierarchy of the country’s football governing body has made contact with the defender to play for the Black Stars.

    His father has openly declared that he wants his son to play for Ghana.

    Tariq has, however, played for the England, U-18, 19 and 20.

    He made a total appearance of three for Chelsea before joining Brighton.

    Tariq has so far made five appearances for Brighton.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • I will be surprised if CAS ruling doesnt go in favour of Osei Palmer – Isaac Koomson

    Aduana Stars representative Isaac Koomson said he will be surprised if the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) ruling will go in favour of the decision taken by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to disqualify Wilfred Osei Kwaku ‘Palmer’ from contesting in the 2019 election.

    Osei Palmer was disqualified by the then Normalisation Committee of the GFA from contesting in the election for failing to pay the 10 per cent player transfer fee.

    According to the former Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) Vice Chairman, the decision from CAS should vindicate Osei Palmer on his disqualification from the GFA presidential elections.

    “I will not pray that the decision will go against the Ghana Football Association but I will be surprised that CAS will say something different than what Dr Kofi Amoah did was right,” he told Odiasempa Kwame Oware on Happy Sports on Happy 98.9FM.

    “Leading to the end of the Normalisation Committee administration, football people we were eager to get them out so we grossed over so many things,” he added.

    CAS is expected to announce its verdict on Friday, June 17 on the disqualification of Osei Palmer from the GFA presidential elections held last year.

    Source: happyghana.com

  • What is the future of Kurt Okraku if Palmer wins CAS case against the GFA?

    The future of Ghana Football Association boss Kurt Okraku could be thrown wide open if Wilfred Osei Kweku “Palmer” wins his landmark case against the association at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

    If Palmer’s reliefs are granted by the world sport court on Friday, July 17, it will essentially collapse the 10-month presidency of the former Dreams FC Executive chairman.

    Kurt Okraku won a sweet victory in the presidential election back in October last year after a rigorous campaign.

    But his young administration could be scuttled if Palmer becomes successful at the global tribunal.

    The Ghana Football Association boss could face another bout of a laborious re-election bid if the association losses the case at CAS.

    However, these are ifs and buts with the much-anticipated verdict expected to put to bed the long-winding battle that has rocked the GFA since Mr. Okraku assumed the top position.

    Palmer dragged the defunct normalization committee to CAS for an unfair and “calculated” disqualification from the presidential race.

    The verdict has a far-reaching implication for both parties with CAS set to announce the ruling on Friday, July 17.

    There are two things likely to happen – CAS to throw out the case and allow the status quo to remain or order for a re-run of the election if it was deemed the plaintiff was unfairly disqualified from the race.

    These are frenetic times for the followers of both disqualified aspirant Wilfred Osei Kweku and current FA boss Kurt Okraku.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Palmer issues cryptic message to GFA ahead of CAS ruling

    Tema Youth president Wilfred Osei Kwaku “Palmer” is in good mood ahead of the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport following his case against the Ghana Football Association over his “unfair and calculated” disqualification from the 2019 presidential race.

    Anticipation is reaching a climax over a verdict that could mark a turning point in the administration of the Ghana FA.

    The global tribunal has set Friday, July 17 for the verdict to bring to an end a 10-month legal tussle between the former Ghana FA Executive Committee member and the association.

    Palmer dragged the FA to the apex of world sports court after he was disqualified from contesting the 2019 Presidential race by the defunct normalization committee.

    CAS will announce the decision whether to uphold Palmer’s quest to annul the election and order for fresh polls to decide on a new President for the GFA or allow the status quo to remain.

    The Tema Youth boss, who is also an investment banker, is brimming with confidence ahead of the much-awaited verdict.

    The situation has put the presidency of Kurt Okraku on the line with wide-reaching implications if Palmer becomes successful.

    There are two things likely to happen – CAS to throw out the case and allow the status quo to remain or order for a re-run of the election if it was deemed the plaintiff was unfairly disqualified from the race.

    The ruling from CAS will put to rest months of intense anxiety involving all the principal actors.

    Osei, popularly known as Palmer, paid 22,000 Swiss Francs to CAS early this year on behalf of the GFA for his disqualification from the federation’s presidential election appeal case to be heard.

    The GFA refused to pay 22,000 Euros so per the rules, Palmer decided to play both so that the hearing can go ahead which means he has now paid 44, 000 Euros which is $48,000.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ohene-Bampoe Brenya petitions GFA to amend article 28 on unqualified player

    The host of Happy Sports, Ohene-Bampoe Brenya has petitioned the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to amend its Article 28 clause 1 (E) on the unqualified player provision of the Premier League regulation.

    Article 28 clause 1 (E) states that a player who has been booked by a referee in three games will not be eligible to play in the next game due to the accumulation of yellow cards.

    According to the vibrant sports host, the current clause needs to be amended following the decision to increase the number of Premier League teams from 16 to 18 by Congress.

    In his petition to the General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, he explained why the current article needs to be amended.

    In the previous football season of sixteen 16 clubs with each club playing at most 30 games, a player is deemed to be unqualified for the next league match after receiving the same number of cautions 3.

    There are currently, 18 teams in the Ghana Premier League with clubs playing 4 more games, making the number of games per season 34.

    It is in the best interest of the players, the teams, the fans and the sport as a whole to get the best players on the pitch whenever possible.

    The possibility of a player getting three yellow cards in five games is higher than a player getting four yellow cards in the same five games.

    The Happy Sports host is hoping the GFA will increase the number of cautions in a game to four following the increase in the number of teams juxtaposing it with that of the German Bundesliga which has the same number of clubs in the league that is, 18 and also plays the same number of matches per season 34.

    Source: happyghana.com

  • I pray Palmer wins the case against GFA at CAS – Lawyer Ntow Fianko

    Former Division One League Board Chairman, Lawyer Ntow Fianko has thrown his support behind Tema Youth owner, Wilfred Osei Kweku Palmer, to win the pending case against the Ghana Football Association at the Court of Arbitration for Sports(CAS).

    Mr. Osei Palmer who served in the erstwhile Kwasi Nyantakyi’s administration as the head of the financial committee was disqualified by the defunct Normalization Committee from contesting in the 2019 Ghana Football Associations Presidential elections.

    Palmer, who was not satisfied by the decision to the case to CAS to seek justice and per the information preview to GhanaWeb, the Court will be coming pout with a verdict on the case come Friday is said to July 17, 2020.

    Speaking on the much-awaited verdict that can shake the foundations of the Ghana Football Association, the veteran football administrator Ntow Fianko hopes that it goes in favor of Palmer

    “Wilfred Osei Palmer has a case against the Normalizations Committee because the decision to disqualify him from the race was because of hatred. It was not based on any law”

    “I pray when the ruling is pronounced by CAS on Friday it would be in favor of Palmer. It will be true for justice. He was cheated”, Mr. Fianko told Accra based said Peace FM in an interview.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • GFA delegation pays visit to NLA to discuss partnership deal

    A delegation from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, paid a working visit to the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

    The visit is part of a move by the country’s football governing body to build a good relationship with the actors of the corporate world.

    According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the NLA Mr. Razak Adjetefio, they had discussions over a possible partnership deal.

    He has hinted that the partnership deal between the GFA and NLA could be a predict and win that is likely to be introduced when the next football season starts.

    The GFA recently announced the cancelation of the 2019/2020 football season as a result of the Coronavirus crisis which has resulted in the government banning all football activities in the country.

    Other corporate visits are expected to be done by the GFA in hopes of securing partnerships and sponsorships before the new season comes around.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Elmina Sharks owner Paa Kwesi Nduom criticises GFA decision to cancel season

    Owner of Ghanaian top-flight side Elmina Sharks, Paa Kwesi Nduom has criticised the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for cancelling the 2019/20 season as a result of the coronavirus.

    After months of uncertainty, the GFA took the decision to cancel the season which had been suspended for more than four months due to the outbreak of the virus in Ghana. The decision was taken after a reported seven-hour meeting by the Executive Council.

    But the business consultant, who on three occasions contested the Ghana presidency, claims the local football governing had no locus to cancel the season without consulting the club owners, who are the ones investing in the football.

    He wondered why such a unilateral decision could be taken when the GFA was merely an administrative body.

    “Who is this that is cancelling this league, and who is this that is considering the financial and the health impact of all of this?” he inquired during an interview with UK-based GN Radio and Channel 7 TV.

    Nduom condemned the GFA for snubbing him and other club owners before taking the decision last week.

    “It is not the club owners, and strange enough in Ghana, it is not the club owners who are calling for the cancellation, and nobody called me as a club owner to ask me what my opinion to be done is.”

    “We have people they’re calling as football administrators; a football administrator doesn’t have a penny or a pesewa in the game. Somebody who is elected by people we have employed to work for us cannot tell me, and shouldn’t be put in a position to tell me what I should and should not do,” he said.

    “It should not be up to the government to tell a private enterprise what to do, except what the government is telling everybody else what to do.

    “It is about time that the people who have invested in football as private enterprises that we are should be the ones calling for the cancellation of football in Ghana and that a league should be there that is owned, managed and controlled by those who have invested in football in Ghana.

    “This is what happens in the UK and those administrators they’ve hired, they come and go, but it is the owners who make the decisions,” he noted.

    “Owners of the big clubs in the English Premier League get together and they have a strong affiliation to help each other in terms of commercial, there’s nothing that stops Ghana from doing that same financial consideration.

    “It is the owners who should have sat down to decide [whether] we can handle it this way or not, but nobody talked to us. I hear that there was a call among the managers of the teams but the managers that I have recruited and I pay cannot go and make decisions for me”, he stated.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA postpones meeting on new season discussion

    Ghana Football Association (GFA) has rescheduled its Executive Council meeting originally slated for Thursday for discussing issues surrounding the canceled domestic season and modalities towards the commencement of a new term.

    Last month, football’s governing body permanently terminated the 2019-20 campaign after three months of a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The outfit had hoped to promptly convene on Thursday to decide the way forward, particularly for the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

    “The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council has moved its upcoming meeting to Tuesday, July 14, 2020,” the GFA announced on its official website on Wednesday

    “The meeting will be done through video conferencing.

    “The body was supposed to meet on Thursday, July 9, 2020, to take decisions on Congress and plans for a new season.

    “Matters to be discussed include the date and agenda for Congress, the date for player registration and modalities leading to the start of the 2020-21 season.

    “Last week, the Council took a decision to cancel the 2019-20 football season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

    The Premier League was at the matchweek 15 stage when it was halted by the coronavirus disease.

    Ghana’s ban on all contact sports, including football, remains in effect until at least July 31.

    Following the recent return of some national leagues in England, Spain, Germany and Italy, there had been calls for Ghana to follow suit.

    Before terminating the campaign, the GFA revealed it was engaging the Government of Ghana over the possible resumption of football under strictly safe protocols such as playing matches behind closed doors, having had a first request rejected.

    The rising number of infection cases in the west African country, however, left concerns about the quest for football resumption.

    At the time of temporary suspension, a total of six cases had been recorded.

    As at June 30 when the season was permanently cancelled, the west African nation had registered 17,1741 cases involving 113 deaths, 13,268 recoveries and 4,361 active cases.

    Top executives from Premier League clubs Berekum Chelsea, Eleven Wonders and King Faisal advocated for the total cancellation of the 2019-20 season over safety concerns amid resuming football under the coronavirus conditions.

    Source: goal.com

  • Executive Council meeting rescheduled for July 14

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council has moved its upcoming meeting to Tuesday, July 14, 2020.

    The meeting will be done through video conferencing.

    The body was supposed to meet on Thursday, July 9, 2020, to take decisions on Congress and plans for a new season.

    Matters to be discussed include date and agenda for Congress, date for player registration and modalities leading to the start of the 2020/21 season.

    Last week, the Council took a decision to cancel the 2019/20 football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • Executive Council to meet on Thursday, July 9 on new football season

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will meet on Thursday, July 9, 2020, to fix a date for Congress and also discuss matters related to the new season.

    This follows the decision of the Council to cancel the 2019/20 football season and prepare for a new one.

    Matters to be discussed include date and agenda for Congress, the date for player registration, and modalities leading to the start of the 2020/21 season.

    The football calendar has not been fully completed since the 2016/17 season when Aduana Stars FC won their second Ghana Premier League title and Asante Kotoko pipped their arch-rivals Hearts of Oak to lift their 9th FA Cup title.

    The GFA Executive Council, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, took the decision to cancel the 2019/20 football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Source: GNA

  • GFA delegation calls on family of late Ampem Darko

    A delegation from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), led by General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo, on Friday, July 3, 2020, visited the family of the late Kwaku Ampem-Darko, a former Deputy General Secretary of the association.

    The visit was to commiserate with the family on the loss of their beloved.

    Deputy General Secretary Alex Asante, Sena Akoto-Ampaw, Head of the Competitions Department, and Emmanuel Dasoberi, Club Licensing Manager of the GFA accompanied the General Secretary.

    Other members of the delegation include Maxwell Caesar Kemeh of GFA Technical Centre at Prampram, Albert Oduro of the Registry, Babara Yankah of the Competitions Department, William Bossman, and Emmanuel Osei both of the Communications Department and Henry Asante Twum, Director of Communications.

    The late Ampem Darko was Deputy General Secretary in charge of Technical (competitions).

    He acted as General Secretary in 2000/2001 before being replaced by Mr. Kofi Nsiah in December 2001. He passed away on Friday, June 26, 2020, after a protracted illness.

    General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo signed the Book of Condolence on behalf of the GFA.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • GFA Executive Council to meet on new season and date for congress on July 9

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will meet on Thursday, July 9, 2020, to fix a date for Congress and also discuss matters related to the new season.

    This follows the decision of the Council to cancel the 2019/20 football season and prepare for a new one.

    Matters to be discussed include date and agenda for Congress, the date for player registration, and modalities leading to the start of the 2020/21 season.

    The football calendar has not been fully completed since the 2016/17 season when Aduana Stars FC won their second Ghana Premier League title and Asante Kotoko pipped their arch-rivals Hearts of Oak to lift their 9th FA Cup title.

    The GFA Executive Council, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, took the decision to cancel the 2019/20 football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • Friday debate: Was the GFA right to cancel the football season?

    The fate of the 2019/2020 Ghana football season was decided on Tuesday, June 30 by the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association as the season was declared null and void.

    With no promotion and relegation, Asante Kotoko and Ashantigold were chosen as Ghana’s representatives for next year’s CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup.

    Kotoko and Ashgold who represented the country in the 2019/20 Africa inter-club competitions were chosen following their triumphs in the Normalization Committee Special Competitions Tier 1 and Tier 2 in 2019 as the current season couldn’t produce a champion.

    This decision taken by the GFA has generated some sort of debate all over social media and the traditional media space as some football fans believe the association should have waited for the President to lift the ban on football before taking a decision of this magnitude.

    On the African reps, there has been strong opposition to the candidates taken as many including King Faisal owner Alhaji Grunsah who believes that they are just going to add up to the numbers.

    On this episode of GhanaWeb’s Friday debate, we ask you if you think the GF erred by calling off the season or you support the decision taken by the country’s football governing body.

    Watch the video below and join the debate by leaving your comments in the comment section.

  • GFA didn’t do enough for Premier League return – Coach J.E Sarpong

    “The inaction of the Ghana Football Association caused the cancellation of the league,” Sarpong, who has had stints with Asante Kotoko, Aduana Stars, Liberty Professionals, Ebusua Dwarfs and Great Olympics, told Akoma FM.

    “They [Ghana FA] didn’t put in enough effort to get the league restarted. They didn’t do enough to ensure that the league bounced back.

    “Clubs must make a case for compensation for all the wasted efforts and resources caused by the cancellation of the league.”

    The cancellation came two weeks after the GFA revealed it was engaging the Government of Ghana over the possible resumption of football under strict and safe protocols such as playing matches behind closed doors.

    “I think it is welcome and long overdue. We expected it because when the game went for a break we all saw that the virus was not making it possible for us to resume,” Inter Allies assistant coach Tony Lokko told Bryt FM.

    “Looking at the situation at hand, even if we are to resume the preparation towards the game, it will take a longer time, so I think it is a good idea from the Ghana FA to cancel the league for now and prepare for a better calendar.

    “In fact, we are all happy it has come that way though the FA may be losing certain things but technically it is welcoming news for the coaches I believe.”

    Following the recent return of some national leagues in England, Spain, Germany and Italy, there have been calls for Ghana to follow suit.

    Medeama, who sit sixth on the men’s league table, nonetheless, wanted football back as soon as possible.

    Personalities from Berekum Chelsea, Eleven Wonders and King Faisal, however, called for the total cancellation of the 2019-20 season.

    Ghana’s ban on all contact sports, including football, remains in effect until at least July 31.

    Source: goal.com

  • Lucy Quist on lessons learnt as vice president of GFA Normalization Committee

    After an explosive documentary on corruption in Ghana football, activities of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) were temporarily suspended and the country almost faced suspension from international football activities.

    FIFA, however, rescinded its threat of suspending the country as the government met all the conditions for football to return to the country.

    The world governing body on football together with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appointed a four-member Normalization Committee in September 2018 to run Ghana football in an interim capacity to replace the erstwhile Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association.

    Ghanaian-British business and technology executive, Lucy Quist who was appointed as the vice president of the four-member normalization committee has shared valuable lessons she learnt from being a part of the committee.

    Speaking in an interview on the Y Leaderboard Series on Y 107.9 FM hosted by Rev Erskine, the astute business executive mentioned that it was a great working and learning opportunity for her as she got the opportunity to learn from those she worked with.

    “It was a great opportunity to learn from people with diverse views and backgrounds. It helped me learn about how we organize ourselves as a country and I would like to think the contribution I made in restructuring our business model was done as a collective. We worked as a committee rather than working in a room.”

    She furthered that working in teams and as a collective will promote the growth and development of the country.

    “I will always treasure the privileged I had to be in the team and work with such great minds to achieve our task,” she stated.

    Source: etvghana.com

  • Blame GFA for cancellation of 2019/20 league season – J.E Sarpong

    Veteran coach J.E Sarpong says the Ghana Football Association should be blamed for the cancellation of the 2019/20 league season.

    On Tuesday, the Executive Council of the GFA annulled the current football season following a marathon meeting due to coronavirus pandemic.

    The governing football body decided that no team will be relegated or promoted. They also named AshantiGold and Asante Kotoko as representatives for the continental competitions.

    “The inaction of the Ghana Football Association caused the cancellation of the league. They didn’t put in enough effort to get the league restarted. They didn’t do enough to ensure that the league bounces back,” Coach J.E Sarpong told Akoma 87.9 FM.

    He further added that “Clubs must make a case for compensation for all the wasted effort and resources caused by the cancellation of the league.”

    Aduana Stars were on top of the table with 28 points after 15 matches played before the competition was cancelled.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Ghana FA EXCO meets on Thursday to decide when next football season will start

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council will hold a meeting on Thursday to decide the start date for the next football season football season following the cancellation of the 2019/20 campaign.

    Football in Ghana has been on hold since a national ban on public gatherings, including sporting and religious events, came into effect as part of measures to curb spread of the coronavirus disease on March 15.

    On Tuesday, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced the complete cancellation of the 2019/20 season due to the coronavirus disruptions.

    The campaign has been suspended since March 15. The Premier League was at the matchweek 15 stage when it was halted by the coronavirus crisis.

    The 12-member council led by FA Kurt Okraku will converge again on Thursday to decide on when to restart the campaign.

    Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko and AshantiGold will represent the country at next season’s CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Former GFA General Secretary, Kwaku Ampem-Darko passes on

    The Ghana Football Association has announced the passing of Kwaku Ampem-Darko, a former Deputy General Secretary of the federation.

    Mr. Ampem-Darko was Deputy General Secretary in charge of Technical (competitions). He passed away on Friday, June 26, 2020 after a protracted illness.

    The late Ampem-Darko, was committed to research focused on improving league competitions.

    He was passionate about enabling clubs to become better for players to learn their trade and for coaches and administrators to work in an enabling environment. He was a transformational leader and change agent who had great dreams of what football could be.

    The late Kwaku Ampem-Darko acted as General Secretary in 2000/2001 before being replaced by Mr. Kofi Nsiah which led to his role as Deputy General Secretary in charge of Technical. He was 81.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • GFA, government to offer support to stranded Ghanaian footballers in Ethiopia – Kurt Okraku

    The President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku, says he is in discussions with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as the Foreign Affairs Ministry to provide every needed assistance to some stranded Ghanaian footballers in Ethiopia.

    Earlier today, over a dozen Ghanaian footballers, including former Black Stars player Lee Addy posted an emotional video of their plight in Ethiopia and begged the government to intervene and repatriate them home.

    The video, which has since gone viral seemed to have caught the attention of the GFA President and he has promised to act and get them some help.

    Taking to his Facebook page, Kurt Okraku wrote, “I have just taken notice of a video of some Ghanaian Footballers who seem to be stranded in Ethiopia..I am in contact with Hon Issac Kwame Asiamah (Sports Minister)who has directed that, contact be made with the boys and the Ghana Embassy in Ethiopia…..

    “All hands on deck at the moment to offer every support to our brothers…..
    Soon ,….this too shall pass!!!!!!.” He promised.

    Background

    The Ghanaian players in Ethiopia have been left stranded following the cancellation of the football season in that country.

    The players have been in Ethiopia since March, 2020 largely due to the closure of Ghana’s borders due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The players are crying for help and went to the Ghanaian consulate in Ethiopia, where they were asked to pay $2000 to be airlifted by a Cargo plane to Accra.

    The players disclosed their rent and work permit will be due on June 30th, leaving them to their own mercy in the East African nation.

    Some the players in a video were complaining their little monies have all be spent on rent and food with no football for three months.

    Football in Africa was brought to a halt following the outbreak of COVID-19.

    Several leagues including the Ethiopian top-flight league has been cancelled leaving foreign nationals stranded.

    https://web.facebook.com/okraku2/posts/10158730035917577

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Former GFA boss Nana Brew Butler warns against the rush to resume halted season

    Former Ghana Football Association President, Nana Sam Brew-Butler has warned against the rush to resume the halted season adding that he will withdraw his players from competing in the Premier League amid the Coronavirus shutdown.

    The Ghana Football Association looks desperate to resume the 2019/20 football season which was halted in mid-March due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    But Nana Sam Brew Butler, who is the Board Chairman of Premier League side Ebusua Dwarfs, has warned that it could be carnage if the players across the country are rushed back onto the pitch.

    “All the precautions are being taken [by the state and stakeholders in the health sector] so why do they want to annul it. I have a lot of sons playing football but I would stop them from playing should football return looking at the situation,” he told GTV Sports Plus.

    “Although other leagues in Europe have started without spectators, we need to learn from what they have done and take key lessons from it before we can do something about starting the games.”

    Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • I am not bothered about pending CAS ruling- Kurt Okraku

    President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku has reiterated that he is not perturbed about the upcoming ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

    Ahead of the 2019 Ghana FA presidential elections, Wilfred Osei Kweku Palmer was disqualified by the Vetting Committee of the Normalization Committee.

    Mr. Osei Palmer has filed for clarification on his disqualification with a ruling set to be made on July 17.

    But according to the former Dreams FC Executive Chairman, he is focused and not worried about the pending ruling.

    “I am not worried,” he said. “An election was organized by the Normalization Committee and members elected me as the president of the Football Association but my brother Osei Palmer felt he was not given a fair hearing by the Normalization Committee but I am not worried.

    “I have said it over and over again that I am focus.

    “The ruling will not change anything because Congress elected me as Ghana Football Association president,” he added.

    Kurt Okraku succeeded Kwesi Nyantakyi as the new Ghana Football Association president.

    Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.”

    Source: footballghana.com

  • ‘We’ll bring back football in the safest possible way’ – GFA President

    Kurt E.S Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has said the association is closely working with the Government Advisory team to ensure the safe return of football.

    According to the GFA President, the GFA Medical Team, General Secretary and the Competitions Department have presented sound proposals to Government through the Government Advisory Team on COVID-19 as well as the Sports Ministry.

    “I have personally met with the Government Advisory Team on COVID-19 led by Dr. Nsiah Asare to discuss the possible return of football and what we would require to actualize it, resulting in a discussion on a roadmap for the safe return of football.

    “The Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and the Government of Ghana have been very open and supportive in these deliberations,” Mr. Okraku said in a press statement.

    Mr. Okraku said that the Executive Council is considering all factors to make a decision on the season before or on the June 30 set deadline.

    “We continue to engage all key stakeholders including WAFU, CAF, and FIFA at both the Committees, General Secretaries, and the President’s level to ensure that our Association is at the forefront of all discussion on the season and possible resumption dates for football,” Mr. Okraku said.

    Source: GNA

  • Truncate the League or consider me out – Abdul Salam Yakubu tells GFA

    The President of New Edubiase United, Abdul Salam Yakubu has ruled out any move to participate in the Division One League if fixtures are congested by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) should the league resumes after July 31.

    The current season has been suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic and with the government set to review the ban on July 31, talks are going on between the GFA and clubs on whether to continue or truncate the season.

    According to him, any move by the GFA to continue the season by playing consistently during mid-week and weekends will be rejected by him.

    Speaking in an interview, Abdul Salam Yakubu said, “There is no league that I am going to take part that is played consistently on Wednesdays and Sundays. There is no sponsorship and we are punishing the players. We the club administrators have to leave our jobs and be following the team around, he told Happy FM.

    “There is no proper structured league in the world that plays consistently on those days. The proper leagues are played on weekends so the fans come also come in their numbers to watch”.

    Abdul Salam joins a list of club administrators who have called for the season to be truncated amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

    “For now we have to cancel the league, so the clubs can begin to prepare ahead of the new season”.

    The GFA is currently engaging its stakeholders on the future of the 2019/20 football season and says it will announce a decision on June 30.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Safety and Security Committee engages Premier League Management body

    The Safety and Security Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), on Thursday, June 4, 2020, met the Premier League Management Committee to discuss pertinent issues pertaining to safety and security at football games.

    The Chairman of the Committee D.S.P Emmanuel Asante led the discussions with support from his vice, L/Col. Donald Asare Bediako and the other members.

    The two Committees shared ideas on ways to improve the coordination of safety and security operations at match venues. They also discussed the possibility to training stewards to provide security at venues in the Premier, Division One and other continental games involving Ghanaian clubs and the national team.

    The Committee pleaded with the GFA to improve remuneration for security personnel as a form of motivation to deliver good service.

    The Safety and Security Committee enquired from the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) led by Lepowura Alhaji M.N.D Jawula the various degrees of challenges faced with clubs in the provision of safety and security support and recommendations to address these challenges.

    The Chairman of the PLMC assured the Safety and Security Committee of its maximum support in cooperation and adherence to ensure mutual positive results for the development of football in Ghana.

    The Safety and Security Committee will soon roll out manual and model and this engagement is believed to inform them on key areas to critically examine in the final documentation.

    Source: ghanafa.org