Coronavirus: GFA President Sends Solidarity Message To Club Owners, Administrators

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Kurt E S Okraku has admonished club owners and administrators to remain calm and take necessary precautions in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement circulated to the clubs, Mr Okraku said he would continue to engage with all the major stakeholders to ensure that the football family is included in the government's stimulus package to alleviate some of the hardship on the industry.

• Solidarity

“As President of the Association and a club man, I know the extent of the challenges that clubs have gone through due to the current situation and the financial burden we continue to face as club owners, officials, players and as participants in the game,” the statement read.

“I share in this pain. However, we must also be concerned about our health and the need to take precaution at this extremely difficult time. There is the need to remind ourselves that, it is just a phase which will soon change when we all abide by the protocols given to us by state,” the statement further read.

• Extraordinary Congress

Per the statement, Mr Okraku lamented the long wait for the impending Extraordinary Congress, where some key decisions would have been taken to impact positively on the game, urging all stakeholders “to rally around and fight this deadly pandemic for the good of the industry.”

“Finally, I want to thank all Club owners, administrators, footballers, coaches, referees, the media and everyone involved in our sport for your professionalism and dedication to service. You showed class and selflessness until the season was suspended because of COVID-19,” the statement concluded.

• League Suspension

The GFA halted the 2019/2020 Premier League and all other football competitions following directives by the President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwah Akofo-Addo, to suspend all social activities, on Sunday, March 15, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.