The 30th Ordinary Congress of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) took place on August 27, 2024, at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence in Prampram.
The Congress was addressed by GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, who delivered a comprehensive speech highlighting the progress made in various aspects of the Ghanaian game whilst acknowledging challenges that require attention.
President Simeon-Okraku began by acknowledging the contributions of past Football Association Heads to the development of the game in Ghana. He also paid glowing tribute to Ghanaian football legends who graced the occasion. In a solemn mood, President Simeon-Okraku led the gathering to honour the memory of some football persons who had passed on during the course of the year under review.
Simeon-Okraku went on to laud Medeama SC and Dreams FC for the progressive performances that they put up in the 2023-24 CAF Inter-Club competitions.
He was effusive in his praise of the national Under 20 Male and female national teams, who won gold medals at the 2023 Africa Games. The Black Princesses’ qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the Black Stars’ resurgence under new Coach Otto Addo also received mention by the President.
He emphasized the importance of infrastructure development, citing the transformation of the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence, the renovation of the Headquarters of the GFA and new developments in infrastructure at the GFA’s Headquarters in Accra.
Youth development, refereeing, and coach education were also key areas of focus, with President Simeon-Okraku highlighting initiatives to improve the quality of these aspects in Ghanaian football. He made glowing mention of the Catch them Young Refereeing policy and indicated that the GFA would soon be announcing its first batch of 10 professional Referees.
Integrity and transparency were also emphasized, with the GFA President assuring delegates of the Association’s commitment to fair play and ethical conduct.
The relationship between Ghana Football and the government of Ghana was also discussed, with President Okraku expressing gratitude for the government’s support and collaboration. He laid out a number of areas in which the GFA believes that Government can significantly boost Ghana’s Football industry, pointing at tax incentives, the creation of a Sports Fund, relaxing of the regulatory regime which prevents alcoholic beverages from sponsoring football.
In conclusion, President Okraku quoted Nelson Mandela, saying, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”
The congress was attended by delegates from various regions, clubs, and stakeholders in Ghanaian football, and marked the first time ever that the Congress had been held over a two-day period.
