Sports

Kotoko, NCC withdraw from football activities

Published

1 month ago

February 5, 2025

Seth Nii Darko

Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club has announced an indefinite suspension of all senior team football activities, following the killing of their passionate supporter, Francis Yaw Frimpong, at Nana Koramansah Park at Nsoatre in the Bono Region.

The club’s position comes a day after the National Circles Council (NCC) declared a boycott of all organised matches of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

A statement, issued by the Club, on Tuesday, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it “as a senseless and heinous act that has left the entire Kotoko fraternity heartbroken.”

It said the club has found some solace in the swift action taken by the Ghana Police Service, which has already led to the arrest of three suspects.

“The management of Asante Kotoko commends the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Bono Regional Police Commander, and COP Lydia Donkor for their efforts in ensuring that justice is served”, it noted.

It assured the club’s full cooperation with law enforcement to ensure all perpetrators were brought to book, and praised its supporters for remaining calm despite the deep pain and provocation.

“As a club, we are determined to ensure that this painful moment is a turning point for Ghanaian football…it is time to end the cycle of violence, hooliganism, and lawlessness that threaten the integrity of our game,” the statement read.

Reiterating the suspension of football activities of the senior team until further notice, the club clarified that the juvenile team and injured players in need of rehabilitation would still have access to the training centre.

The NCC statement also announced with immediate effect of a withdrawal from all organised matches of the Ghana Football Authority (GFA).

A communications member of the club, Seth Nii Darko, announced this at a press briefing held at the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi on Monday.

He stressed that until the determination of the case, the Circles would withdraw from all organised matches of the GFA.

Before the fatal incident, tensions were said to have flared between players and officials of both teams, leading to heated confrontations on the pitch.

Nana Pooley was reported to have been stabbed multiple times in an off-field incident after Kotoko’s 1-0 defeat against Nsoatreman FC.

According to the supporters, “we will not take part in any football-related activity of the GFA until justice is served.”

As of the time of filing this report, the management of the club, led by Kwesi Appiah and Nana Apinkrah were visiting the Manhyia Palace to officially inform the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the spiritual head of the red army of what happened at Nsoatre.

FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE,
KUMASI

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).