SAVE GHANA FOOTBALL: Soccer Enthusiasts Stage Historic Demonstration to Save Football

Hundreds of concerned football fans and sports journalists took to the streets of Accra on Wednesday, February 14th, to demand reforms and accountability within the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Clad in black branded t-shirts, the demonstrators marched from the Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle through the capital’s main thoroughfares, chanting slogans and carrying placards calling for action to revive the nation’s footballing fortunes.

Dubbed the “Save Ghana Football Demonstration,” the protest aimed to address various issues plaguing Ghanaian football, including financial mismanagement, lack of accountability, and poor performance on the international stage. Protesters brandished placards bearing messages such as “Sika Di Basabasa Montwa So” (Money Wasted), “Grow Our Sports, Not Your Football Clubs,” and “Fix the Fundamentals of Ghana Football Now.”

At the culmination of the march at the Black Star Square, demonstrators were addressed by prominent sports journalist Saddick Adams, known as “Sports Obama,” who thanked participants for their support and outlined key demands. Adams called for a thorough investigation into Ghana’s participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), particularly regarding budget allocation and sponsorship funds.

Furthermore, Adams demanded accountability from GFA officials, urging those who received unauthorized payments during the World Cup to return the money to the state budget. He also called for the dissolution of existing management committees within the GFA and proposed alternative structures for the governance of Ghanaian football.

Among the demonstrators’ demands was the immediate disbandment of the committee responsible for selecting a new coach for the national team, the Black Stars. Instead, they called for the establishment of an interim technical team to investigate the team’s performance at the 2023 AFCON.

Importantly, the protesters emphasized that taxpayer funds should not be used to remunerate GFA officials, advocating for the redirection of such resources towards the development of grassroots football, women’s leagues, and domestic competitions.

The organizers of the demonstration submitted their petition to Parliament, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and other relevant stakeholders, signaling their determination to effect meaningful change within Ghanaian football. The event marked a significant moment in the history of Ghanaian sport, as fans and journalists united in their call for transparency, accountability, and the rejuvenation of football at all levels.