Ghanaian football heavyweights Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko have formed an unlikely alliance to issue a joint statement advocating for far-reaching reforms in the management and organization of the Ghana Premier League.
The two clubs, longstanding arch-rivals, have temporarily set aside their differences to push for improvements aimed at elevating the league’s quality, safety, and professionalism.
The decision follows mounting demands for reform and growth in the Ghana Premier League, with the tragic incident at Nsoatre, where a fan was fatally murdered during the Kotoko versus Nsoatreman match, serving as the last nail in the coffin.
The demands, outlined in the joint statement, include:
1. Autonomous League Management: The clubs are calling for the running of the league to be taken away from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and handed over to an independent, autonomous management body “as soon as possible.” This move, they argue, would ensure greater transparency and efficiency in the league’s administration.
2. Stadium Standards : Hearts of Oak and Kotoko are demanding that league matches no longer be held at stadiums that do not meet the required standards for hosting top-tier football games. This is aimed at improving the quality of matchday experiences for fans and players alike.
3. Increased TV Rights Revenue: The two clubs are pushing for a higher percentage of TV rights revenue to be allocated to participating teams. They believe this will provide clubs with the financial resources needed to compete at a higher level and invest in their infrastructure.
4. Enhanced Security Measures: To ensure the safety of players, officials, and fans, the clubs are calling for a minimum of 100 police personnel at Category A and B games, with an additional 20 military personnel deployed for Category A matches. They also insist that security personnel should not be drawn from the locality of the match to prevent potential bias or conflicts of interest.
5. Automatic GFA Executive Council Representation: Hearts of Oak and Kotoko are demanding automatic representation on the GFA Executive Committee, arguing that their status as the country’s most successful and popular clubs warrants a direct voice in decision-making processes.
The joint statement represents a watershed moment in Ghanaian football, as the country’s two most iconic clubs have united to push for reforms. Their demands echo the escalating concerns of stakeholders regarding the league’s governance, financial stability, and overall safety, underscoring the urgent need for change.
With the football community eagerly anticipating a response from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the landmark joint statement by Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko has paved the way for a potentially groundbreaking era in Ghanaian football, marked by reform, growth, and renewal.
Full statement below:
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