Posted by Football in Ghana has been at standstill since mid March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The unanticipated circumstance has had a major impact on the finances of local clubs, with these clubs calling the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to come to their aid. The GFA has also turned to the government to seek support.
Speaking in an interview on GTV Sports plus, Board chairman of Accra Hearts of Oak Togbe Afede XIV called on the Government of Ghana to consider supporting clubs with a stimulus package to help lessen the financial woes on clubs in this difficult times. He first showered approbation on new GFA president Kurt Okraku.
“Let me start by acknowledging what Kurt and his team are doing. They are doing a wonderful job and they deserve our fullest support,” Togbe told GTV.
“In terms of government support, it’s necessary. All over the world, governments have stepped in to support. What we’re going through today, is not only limited to Ghana,” Togbe noted.
“The havoc it has done to this world is what we see today in Ghana. And it’s not only the football that is suffering, all other sectors are suffering.
“If people in America need bailout, people in America need bailout, how much more those of us here?”, he quizzed.
“I think that football is such an important sector and government needs to step in. It’s sad that the contribution of football to our economy is not well-appreciated,” Togbe added.
The Hearts of Oak board chairman also shared his thought on the resumption of the league.
“I think we should start, we should start subject to putting in all the precautions, and I know that Kurt and his team have already put up a lengthy list of things that we will do in taking the precautions that has been given to ensure that the resumption of football does not encounter what government is doing to stop the pandemic.”
“I think we should as soon as possible allow players to start training in small groups and then we should be able to allow football to start subject to controlling the crowd, social distancing and applying all necessary precautions”, he added.
The fate of the country’s football leagues will be decided by the FA latest by June 30.