By Kwame Bediako
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has taken a significant step to strengthen matchday safety and security protocols by hosting a one-day training workshop for Premier League Match Commissioners. The event, held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the GFA Conference Room in Accra, focused on equipping the commissioners with the necessary skills to enforce updated safety measures, ensuring the protection of match officials and fans, and maintaining smooth football operations across the country.
Addressing the commissioners, GFA General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, praised their dedication to Ghanaian football and provided insights into the revamped safety protocols. These protocols aim to safeguard lives and property at match venues, signaling the GFA’s commitment to improving security at football events.
The workshop also featured presentations by Director of Competitions, Julius Ben Emunah, who delved into the enhanced security framework and highlighted key responsibilities for Match Commissioners. This included understanding their roles in identifying potential risks and ensuring compliance with the updated protocols.
GFA President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, emphasized the Association’s priority on match official safety while intensifying public education on security measures. He stressed that recent incidents, such as the one at Nsoatre, had prompted a review of football management in Ghana. “The incident at Nsoatre has pushed all of us to reassess how we deliver football,” Okraku said.
The workshop was attended by key officials, including Referees Appointment Committee chairperson, Christine Enyonam Zigah, and GFA Safety and Security Committee member, Felix Bewu. Their presence and active participation underscored the collaborative efforts required to implement the enhanced security measures effectively.
With this training in place, the GFA aims to foster a safer environment for all stakeholders involved in Ghanaian football. The Association has made it clear that security will be a top priority, with strict adherence to the updated protocols expected from all parties involved.
