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

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Ignatius Baffour Awuah

 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.

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FA releases final 2024-25 Ghana Premier League table

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• Kurt Okraku - GFA President

The curtains came down on the thrilling 2024-25 Premier League season on Sun­day, with Bibiani GoldStars clinching their first-ever league title.

After a challenging 2023-24 cam­paign that saw them flirting with relegation, Heart of Lions mount­ed a stunning resurgence to claim a second-place finish this season.

Joining them in the top four were Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, with Kotoko edg­ing their archrivals to third place based on the head-to-head rule, as stipulated in Article 7(4) of the Premier League regulations.

The Porcupine Warriors secured a 1-0 victory over Hearts in Kuma­si and held their rivals to a goalless draw in Accra, giving them the advantage in the direct encoun­ters and ultimately determining their superior position on the final league table.

Dreams FC achieved their highest-ever league finish, securing sixth place. Their final surge saw them overtake former champions, FC Samartex 1996, Medeama SC, and Aduana FC.

The season ended in disap­pointment for Accra Lions, Legon Cities and Nsoatre­man FC, all of whom were relegated to the Access Bank Division One League.

Meanwhile the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Mr Kurt Okraku, sent a message of appreciation to the 18 clubs that participated in the 2024-25 Premier League season.

“To our new champions, Gold­Stars FC, congratulations on a well-deserved title. To those who fell short, I urge you to take pride in your journey and come back stronger,” he said in the statement.

“The statement also acknowl­edged the invaluable work of match officials, administrators, medical teams, grounds men, vol­unteers, and media partners, who are the backbone of the football ecosystem, for their invaluable con­tribution throughout the exciting campaign,” he stated.

“To our loyal supporters, your energy continues to breathe life into the league. You are the soul of Ghana football, and your love for the game remains our greatest source of inspiration,” Mr Okraku added.

He called for a sober reflection on a few unfortunate incidents that occurred at some match venues.

These moments, while regret­table, he emphasised, served as critical reminders of the work that still lies ahead in shaping a safer, more respectful football culture.

Moreover, he said the FA remains firmly committed to strengthening education at the club level and enhancing match day pro­tocols to ensure a more secure and inclusive environment for players, officials, and fans alike.

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Police Ladies set to represent Ghana in CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers

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Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League champions Police Ladies will represent Ghana at the upcoming WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Cote d’Ivoire from Saturday, August 19 to Sunday, August 24, 2025.

This marks a significant opportunity for Police Ladies to showcase their skills, make Ghana proud and fight for the sole ticket for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League.

They follow in the footsteps of Hasaacas Ladies and Ampem Darkoa Ladies, who have previously represented Ghana in the championship.

With their talent and determination, Police Ladies are poised to make a strong impression and bring glory to Ghanaian football.

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 Gold Stars to be crowned GPL champions Saturday

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Mr Kurt Okraku presenting the trophy to the skipper of Hohoe United while officials of the club watch on in adminiration

 Gold Stars on Sunday closed the chapter on what could be their finest football season ever, demolishing already rele­gated Accra Lions 4-0 to emerge champions of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League (GPL).

The win confirmed the Timber giants as a new entity among GPL winners. They also drilled the final nail into the coffin of Accra Lions as they head to battle for a return to the elite stage of football from the Division One League (DOL).

On Saturday, a carnival atmo­sphere is anticipated around the precincts of Bibiani as they host Medeama in a coronation match at the Dun’s Park with kick-off set at 3pm.

A game between the two under normal circumstances would have produced a lot of fireworks as they chase the bragging rights for their emerging rivalry.

However, Saturday’s game would be one more for celebration as the hosts are crowned champions of the just ended season.

Expected to be in attendance are executive members of the Football Association led by its president, Mr Kurt Okraku, top officials of the club as well as officials from their sponsors.

A similar exercise is expected to take place at Swedru where local side, Swedru All Blacks, will be crowned champions of Zone Two of the Access Bank Division One League on Saturday.

They would take on Soccer Intellectuals in a game expected to thrill their audience and show their preparedness for life in the Premier League.

The Black Magicians, as they are known, secured the title with a game to spare, finishing with 66 points from 30 matches (21 wins, 3 draws, 6 losses).

Meanwhile, Hohoe United were officially crowned champions of the Access Bank DOL Zone 3 after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Home Stars in a coronation match last Saturday at the Hohoe Sports Complex.

All three goals were scored in a pulsating first half exchanges.

The triumph marks a historic milestone for Hohoe United, who have now secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time since their rebranding from Liberty Professionals.

This long-awaited qualifica­tion comes in their third attempt, following the club’s change of ownership and relocation from the capital to Hohoe.

In attendance were GFA presi­dent, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Executive Council member Samuel Aboabire, club owner and former Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Mr John Peter Amewu, and revered traditional leader Togbega Gabusu VII.

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