Stories and facts
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) serves as the governing body for association football in Ghana and operates from the nation's capital, Accra. Established in 1957, the Association faced a pivotal moment in its history when it was dissolved by the Ghanaian Minister of Sport, Isaac Kwame Asiamah, on June 7, 2018, following the exposure of corruption within the association through investigative videos. However, in October 2019, the GFA underwent a revival with the election of a new president, Kurt Okraku, after the completion of the FIFA Normalization Committee's work. Subsequently, Mark Addo was elected as vice president in November 2019. The tenure of Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku as President was extended as he was re-elected during the 2023 Elective Congress in Tamale, Ghana's Northern region.
The Ghana Football Association traces its roots to the Gold Coast Football Association, which was established in 1920 as one of Africa's oldest football associations. Football was introduced to the Gold Coast by European merchants in the late 19th century, leading to the formation of the first football club, Excelsior, in 1903. Subsequently, several amateur clubs emerged along the coast, including Accra Hearts of Oak, Accra Standfast, Cape Coast Venomous Vipers, and Sekondi Eleven Wise. The Gold Coast Amateur Football Association was established in 1952, and the government granted legal authority to control all amateur associations, including football, through Ordinance 14. The association faced internal turmoil, leading to the "Football Revolution" in 1957, where Ohene Djan was elected as General Secretary and successfully affiliated the association with FIFA in 1958 and CAF in 1960. The Winneba Declaration in 1993 marked the transition of Ghanaian football from its amateur status to a professional framework, allowing clubs to be incorporated under the companies code.
Following its dissolution in 2018, the GFA underwent reconstitution, and elections were held in October 2019, resulting in Kurt Okraku's presidency. In November 2019, the Women's League Committee was established, and in January 2020, Prosper Harrison Addo was appointed as the General Secretary. The technical crew of all national teams was disbanded in January 2020 to rejuvenate the sport's performance, leading to the appointment of new head coaches for the Black Queens and Black Stars. The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed an appeal by Wilfred Kwaku Osei Palmer challenging the Ghana Football Association presidential elections in September 2020.
The GFA forged partnerships with various entities to promote football in Ghana. In October 2020, the GFA signed an agreement with Decathlon Ghana, making it the official retail partner for Black Stars kits and equipment. Access Bank Ghana became the official banking partner of the GFA in September 2022. Additionally, PUMA serves as the official kit sponsor of the National Team, MTN is the headline sponsor of the FA Cup, and StarTimes serves as the official broadcaster.
The Ghana Football Association oversees nine national teams, including the Black Stars, Black Queens, and Black Meteors, among others. These teams have achieved significant success in international competitions, with Ghana becoming the first African country to win a medal in football at the 1992 Summer Olympics and winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009. The Black Queens have participated in two FIFA World Cup tournaments and the Olympic Games.
The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association comprises representatives from the Premier League, Division One League, and Women's Football. Members are elected to oversee the administration and development of football in Ghana.
The Ghana Football Association faced allegations of match-fixing, which were investigated by The Telegraph and Channel 4. Kwesi Nyantakyi and other officials were accused of match-fixing, leading to a series of legal proceedings. In a separate case, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favor of the GFA in a dispute with Tema Youth Football Club over a transfer fee involving winger Joseph Paintsil.
In conclusion, the Ghana Football Association has undergone significant transformations throughout its history, facing challenges such as corruption allegations while striving to promote and develop football in Ghana through partnerships, governance reforms, and sporting achievements.
