Sports

Ex-Labour Minister, 2nd suspect granted bail …3rd suspect remanded in police custody

Published

1 month ago

February 5, 2025

The owner and bankroller of Ghana Premier League (GPL) side, Nsoatreman FC, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, and a second suspect, Joseph Kyeremeh, have been granted bail in connection with the violent disturbances that occurred during a League match between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman on Sunday at Nsoatre in the Bono Region.

The clash led to the death of a fan, Francis Yaw Frimpong, aka Nana Pooley.

The third suspect, Agyeman Duah Owusu, however remains in police custody and would appear in court on February 17.

Mr Baffour Awuah, a former Minister of Employment and Labour, was arrested together with Agyemang Duah Owusu and Joseph Kyeremeh on Monday, following the previous day’s troubles.

According to a press release signed by the Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, a search conducted in the room of suspect Agyemang Duah Owusu led to the retrieval of two dresses with suspected bloodstains and an MP 23 pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition.

She noted that a special team has been deployed from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, to assist the Bono Regional Police Command in the investigation.

The statement added that the Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has spoken to the family of the deceased and the leadership of Kumasi Asante Kokoto FC to express condolences and has assured the family and the club of undertaking a thorough investigation into the matter to deal with the culprit by law.

Meanwhile, the Communications Director of Nsoatreman FC, Mr Joel Kofi Gyempeh, has confirmed that the club’s decision to withdraw from the Ghana Premier League, pending approval from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), will not interfere with ongoing investigations into the tragic stabbing incident at Nana Koramansah Park, according a Citi Sports report.

Nsoatreman FC has been under intense public scrutiny following the fatal stabbing of a passionate Asante Kotoko fan, affectionately known as “Pooley,” during their Match week 19 fixture in the GPL.

Speaking in an interview with Citi Sports, Gyempeh clarified that while the club has decided to withdraw from the league with immediate effect, the final approval lies with the GFA.

“It’s true, our withdrawal from the league wouldn’t prevent the investigations from going on. Currently, investigations are going on and we’ve left everything in the hands of the Police Service.

Our reason for the withdrawal is simple, we all know sports is a recreational activity, something we do for fun so if an activity we do for fun will later lead to the death of a brother, where will be the need to continue again.”

“I think there wouldn’t be any moral right for us to continue with it again and there’s another twist, the deceased is married to the sister of our club chairman…so he’s feeling the pain.”

In response, the GFA has urged all relevant stakeholders to cooperate fully with authorities to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the football community, sparking widespread discussions about security at league venues.

Sports

Kurt E.S Okraku elected CAF Executive Committee member

Published

3 days ago

March 12, 2025

Net News Ghana

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been successfully elected as a member of the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The four-year term runs from 2025-2029.

The President, who was elected uncontested, joins the 24-member committee of the powerful body of the continent’s governing body.

Kurt Okraku’s election to the CAF Executive Committee comes as recognition of his remarkable leadership at the Football Association, where he has worked to rejuvenate Ghanaian football since taking office in 2019.

His efforts to enhance transparency, promote grassroots football, women’s football and focus on youth development have been well noted within the African football community.

With Ghana’s strong footballing tradition and legacy, the presence of the GFA boss on the CAF EXCO is seen as an opportunity to advance the interests of the country and help promote football development across Africa.

Mr. Okraku’s role will give Ghana a stronger voice in the decision-making processes that shape the future of football on the continent.

President Simeon-Okraku becomes the sixth Ghanaian to serve on the CAF Executive Committee in a list that includes Ohene Djan, Kobina Hagan, Nana Fredua Mensah, Samuel Okyere, and Kwesi Nyantakyi.

Sports

GFA concludes training of Club Safety and Security Officers and Regional Sports Security Officers

Published

4 days ago

March 11, 2025

Net News Ghana

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has successfully concluded its training program for Club Safety and Security Officers (CSSOs) and Regional Sports Security Officers (RSSOs).

This comprehensive training, which took place from March 7 to March 10, 2025, aimed to throw more light on the enhance safety and security measures across Ghanaian football.

The training was conducted zonally, covering all 86 elite clubs and 16 regions. Participants were divided into three zones, with Zone 2 covering the Ashanti, Western, Western North, and Central Regions, and Zones 1 and 3 covering the remaining regions.

The training modules included:

Challenges of Safety and Security in Ghana: Identifying and addressing key safety and security concerns in Ghanaian football.

Roles of the Club Safety and Security Officer (CSSO) and collaboration with Regional Safety and Security Officers (RSSO): Defining the roles and responsibilities of CSSOs and RSSOs, and promoting effective collaboration between them.

Club Safety and Security Officer Checklist: Providing a comprehensive checklist for CSSOs to ensure that all safety and security protocols are in place.

Introduction to the Enhanced Safety and Security Protocols 2025: Introducing new safety and security protocols aimed at improving safety and security at match venues.

Practicum and scenario session: Providing hands-on training and scenario-based exercises to prepare participants for real-world safety and security challenges.

The training workshop was led by DCOP Lydia Donkor, Chairperson of the Security Committee. Others included Capt (Rtd) Nick Owusu, Vice Chairman of the Safety Committee, Julius Ben Emunah, Head of Competitions, John Ansah, Felix Bewu and Emmanuel Osei, members of the Safety and Security Committee.

This training is part of the GFA’s enhanced approach to ensuring improved safety and security at match venues across all competitions.

Sports

Kurt Okraku, Mark Addo, Prosper Addo attend 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo

Published

5 days ago

March 10, 2025

Net News Ghana

President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has led a three-man Ghanaian delegation to the 14th Extraordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt.

The President, who has arrived in Cairo, is being accompanied by Vice-President Mark Addo and General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo Esq.

The GFA boss will CAF chair Zonal meeting of WAFU B on Monday morning as part of several engagements lined up prior to the Extraordinary General Assembly, scheduled for Wednesday March 12. In attendance will be CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe and General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba.

GFA Vice-President Mark Addo and General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo will also attend the zonal meeting.

After the CAF Zonal Union meetings, it will be followed by a friendly matches featuring CAF officials and African football legends this evening.

The CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) will hold a meeting to discuss progress and the future of African football on Tuesday March 11, 2025 before the Extraordinary General Assembly officially takes place on Wednesday March 12, 2025, which will be concluded with an official press conference in the afternoon by CAF President, Dr. Motsepe.

Key African football leaders, including presidents of CAF’s 54 Member Associations and its six Zonal Unions, as well as senior international football stakeholders, are attending the three-day event, starting today March 10, 2025.

The 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly will be held in Cairo on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, at the Marriott Mena House.

The event will start at 10h00 Cairo Time (08h00 GMT).