Ghana's Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, has stated that the government lacks the authority to dissolve the Ghana Football Association (GFA). This assertion comes amid growing calls for the football governing body to be disbanded due to the Black Stars' poor start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign. The team has yet to earn a point after two matches in Group C.
The Black Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat by Ivory Coast and lost 4-2 to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. These results have intensified pressure on the GFA and raised concerns about football administration and development in Ghana. Despite this, Adams emphasized that the GFA is a legally registered entity, and as such, cannot be easily dissolved. He made these comments in an interview with Joy FM.
According to Adams, the GFA's registered status grants it a level of permanence, making it impossible for the government to dissolve it without due cause. He noted that if the association had committed a crime, the situation would be different. However, under current circumstances, Adams ruled out dissolving the GFA. The government can still maintain a relationship with the GFA, particularly in providing financial support and overseeing national teams.
Adams highlighted that FIFA's statutes include a Standard Corporate Agreement, which allows governments to have a certain level of involvement with football associations. This relationship enables the government to ensure that the public interest committee functions effectively. The minister emphasized that the government's role is to support the GFA, rather than dissolve it.
The Black Stars' difficult start has added to concerns over Ghana's failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. The team must now recover quickly in their bid to qualify for the 2027 edition, with a double-header against Somalia scheduled for October. Both matches are expected to be played at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Adams is set to meet the GFA leadership on October 2 for a crisis meeting following the Black Stars' disappointing results. The meeting is expected to focus on the team's poor start to the AFCON qualifiers and wider concerns surrounding football administration in Ghana. The government is keen to address these issues and find a solution to get Ghanaian football back on track.
The situation will be closely monitored as Ghana seeks to recover from its current challenges and move forward in the AFCON qualifiers. With the team's next matches against Somalia, the pressure is on for a turnaround in fortunes. The government's relationship with the GFA and the effectiveness of the public interest committee will be crucial in determining the future of Ghanaian football.
Key points
- The Ghana government cannot dissolve the Ghana Football Association due to its registered status.
- The Black Stars are set to face Somalia in a double-header for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
- A crisis meeting between Adams and the GFA leadership is scheduled for October 2 to address the team's poor performance.
