Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku has engaged the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports in discussions aimed at addressing challenges confronting Ghana football and exploring ways to strengthen the development of the game.
Okraku, accompanied by members of the GFA Executive Council, appeared before the Committee at Parliament House for what he described as a productive and constructive engagement on matters of mutual interest.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the GFA leadership to discuss the difficulties facing Ghana football, exchange ideas with members of Parliament and explore practical measures to improve the sport’s development across the country.
A major issue raised by the GFA President was the restrictions imposed by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) on sponsorship arrangements involving alcoholic beverage companies.
Okraku called on Parliament to intervene in the matter, arguing that the restrictions were depriving Ghana football of significant commercial opportunities and potentially costing the sport millions of dollars in sponsorship revenue annually.
He believes addressing the situation could help unlock additional financial resources for football development and provide clubs and other football stakeholders with greater commercial opportunities.
Following the engagement, Okraku expressed appreciation to members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, particularly its Chairman, Hon. Ernest Henry Norgbey, and Ranking Member, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, for their leadership and commitment to the development of Ghana football.
The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by the GFA leadership to engage key stakeholders and explore solutions to the financial and structural challenges facing football in the country.