Some football lovers in Accra went on a street demonstration yesterday, against the Ghana Football Association (GFA), over the fallen standard of the game in the country.
Dubbed ‘Save Ghana Football,’ the protesters demanded change at the GFA, citing the consistent and fast nose-diving of all football activities in the country.
The demonstration was led by key media personalities, namely Dan Kweku Yeboah, Patrick Osei-Agyemang (Songo) and Saddick Adams among others, who are all sports journalists. Others were Nana Yaw Kese of Peace FM and Sports Administrator Alhaji Grusah.
The protesters hit the streets of Accra over the perceived incompetence to address the continuous underperformance of the senior national team, the Black Stars.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back is the lackluster performance of the Black Stars at the just-ended 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where Ghana could not win a single game at the group stage and exited.
The failure to advance beyond the group stage in Ivory Coast was the third consecutive time. In the 2021 AFCON and the 2022 World Cup tournaments, Ghana exited at the group stages respectively.
The protesters did not spare the President of the GFA, Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku, as they demanded his immediate resignation.
The demonstration, which commenced at the Obra Spot in Accra, traversed Asylum Down, to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital and ended at the Black Star Square. Petitions were submitted to Parliament and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
PLACARDS
Several placards were displayed with different inscriptions, all sending a strong message to the GFA about the anger of the people.
Some of the inscriptions were: “stop spoiling our bets,” “we used to be Brazilians of Africa, what happened?”, “Ghana must have one football policy,” “FIFA can’t do tiiiiiin,” “sacking coaches is not the panacea to the challenges,” “Competent people should lead the MOYS” and “lack of vision for our football.”
PETITION
Presenting the petition to the leadership of Parliament, sports journalist, Saddick Adams, said they had staged the protest because football in Ghana is in tatters and the once highly reputable football-nation has now become a laughing stock in the world.
According to him, there was a need for a rethink, if not a re-strategy, as the “repeated remedy” being used by the management of Ghana Football was not yielding positive results.
“Over 2,000 supporters who walked with us believe that this [petition], together with other recommendations, will help transform Ghana football. And we are ready to help you, as journalists, as supporters to rebuild the game of football,” Saddick Adams said.
The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza and other MPs and officials of Parliament received the petition.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP, Annoh-Dompreh, promised that the petition would not be put on the shelves to gather dust.
He remarked that members of the House were also concerned about Ghana football, and thus, “consequential actions” would be taken about the petition.
He commended the protesters for conducting themselves well and being “civil” in the demonstration.
OTHERS
Popular gospel musician, Nicholas Omane Acheampong, speaking to the media, called on the GFA to reflect on the number of people who participated in the protest and do the right things.
He also urged the “government to investigate” and ascertain why Ghana has not won a single match in the last three major tournaments.
On his part, gospel musician Kwadwo Ampong said football lovers will not be satisfied until they see changes at the GFA. According to him, it will not be right for the GFA to appoint a new coach when it has not addressed the issue of corruption.
