#SaveGhanaFootball demonstrators jeered and booed officials from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) when they arrived to receive their petition at Independence Square.
The GFA delegation, led by General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo and Executive Council member Nana Oduro Sarfo, was forced to flee the scene in a police vehicle to avoid a potentially violent confrontation.
How GFA General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo and Deputy Sports Minister, Evans Opoku Bobbie were booed and escorted away from the Independence Square by #SaveGhanaFootball protesters.#3Sports pic.twitter.com/VIEwvOQQWE
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 14, 2024
The protesters are demanding reforms within the GFA and a shift in focus towards grassroots development and infrastructure improvement.
They claim that the current leadership has failed to deliver results, citing Ghana’s recent group stage exits from major tournaments, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
One of the key grievances of the demonstrators is the alleged payment of $100,000 each to members of the Black Stars management committee during the 2022 World Cup, while the winner of the Ghana Premier League received only $30,000.
They believe that such disparities in compensation highlight a misguided prioritization of interests within the GFA.
In addition, the protesters are calling on President Nana Akufo-Addo to cancel plans to establish a committee to find a replacement for former Black Stars coach Chris Hughton.
They argue that coaching changes alone will not solve the deeper structural issues plaguing Ghanaian football. Instead, they advocate for increased investment in youth development programs, better infrastructure, and more transparent governance within the GFA.