The conveners of ‘SaveGhanaFootball’ demonstration have presented a 15-point petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, after the protest in Accra. The petition was presented after a march that started from the Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle and ended at the Black Star Square.
The protesters were seeking significant reforms in the governance of Ghana football, stating that the industry is collapsing due to poor leadership and structures. The Black Stars’ early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage was the final factor that led to the demonstration.
Among the demands in the petition, the conveners asked for the disbandment of national team management committees, which many see as not doing any work and taking outrageous per diems.
Some of the other demands in the petition included the development of a national football policy, the institute of a commission of enquiry, and the dissolution of the search committee’s report on the appointment of a new Black Star coach.
The petition also called for a focus on player development, structural reforms, national team funding, investment in grassroots development, and the establishment of a national training complex.
Other issues highlighted in the petition were accountability, the reduction of tax on football-related events, stakeholder engagement, and the resolution of the national team coaches’ salary challenge.
The conveners emphasized the need for government involvement and the importance of transparency, accountability, and good governance in football administration. They called for the involvement of all stakeholders, including football clubs, fans, players, journalists, and civil society institutions, to chart the way forward.
It is clear that the conveners of ‘SaveGhanaFootball’ are passionate about the need for significant changes in Ghana football to ensure its sustainability and success in the future.
