The GFA Saga: Five days later, government answers Calls to fix Ghana football

By Korsi Asiseh;

Five days ago, I wrote about the rot in our football.

I said the GFA constitution gives the president too much power. I said club owners are too scared to speak up because their investments are hostage. I said government should attach strict conditions to public funding — or withdraw it entirely.

Today, the Sports Ministry has laid down 7 key directives after a crunch meeting. And looking at this list, it reads like a response to everything we raised.

Look at what they are demanding:

1️⃣ Dissolve the Black Stars technical team and all national team management committees.

2️⃣ Establish a National Technical Management Committee with two government-appointed experts and two GFA nominees.

3️⃣ The GFA must not unilaterally appoint the next Black Stars coach without consulting this committee.

4️⃣ Replace existing committees with one for men’s football and one for women’s football.

5️⃣ Restore State-provided accommodation for the head coach.

6️⃣ Government to participate in selecting development coaches for U15, U17, and U20.

7️⃣ Sign a FIFA standard cooperation agreement to enforce joint decision-making between the GFA and the Sports Ministry.

This is what accountability looks like in practice.

For years, the GFA has claimed it is only accountable to FIFA. But when government is footing the bill, we have a right to demand transparency and joint decision-making.

Will they resist? Of course. The same patronage system I spoke about will fight this. Some will cry “government interference” and run to FIFA. But this is not interference — this is partnership. This is demanding value for money.

To the Sports Ministry: do not back down. Follow through. And if the GFA refuses to cooperate, cut the funding.

To the club owners and football people: this is your moment. The door is open. Speak up. Organise. Demand the constitutional reforms we all know are needed.

Our football deserves better.