On Thursday, February 6, 2025, a meeting occurred at the GFA Secretariat, attended by representatives from the Association and all 18 clubs of the Ghana Premier League. During this meeting, the attendees engaged in discussions and agreed to adopt Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols.
Subsequently, on Friday, February 7, 2025, Asante Kotoko SC and Accra Hearts of Oak SC submitted a proposal to the Ghana Football Association for review. The Association assured both clubs that their request would be considered alongside all previous suggestions made by other clubs during the Executive Council meeting regarding the Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols.
It is worth noting that the Association and the clubs held a meeting with the Inspector General of Police, during which approximately 33 action points were proposed. The Ghana Police Service considered some of these actions for immediate implementation. The Inspector General of Police announced the establishment of a Sports Police Unit and the inclusion of Sports Security training in the training manual of the Police Training Academy.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has announced the establishment of Regional Sports Officers, who will serve as the primary contacts for sports events. These officers will be tasked with overseeing all aspects of sports policing within their respective regions. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) will have direct access to collaborate with these officers to ensure safety and security during matches. Furthermore, any criminal activity occurring at a football match will be regarded as a serious offense by the police, and individuals responsible will be subjected to the Ghana Criminal Justice System. Additionally, when feasible, police personnel from other towns will be deployed to support the enforcement of law and order at these sporting events.
The Association has since had engagements with other stakeholders including the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League clubs, all the clubs of the three zones of the Access Bank Division One League, and Supporters Groups of the Premier League clubs. The Association continues to engage all stakeholders.
Following these engagements, the 1st draft of the Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols was considered by the Executive Council of the GFA on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
On Monday, February 10, 2025, the Minister for Sports and Recreation held a fruitful meeting with the GFA on safety and security at matches.
Following further inputs into the draft work, the Executive Council has approved the Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols 2025 to be used in addition to all the existing Regulations – the competitions regulations (Premier League Regulations, The Division One League Regulations, the Women’s Premier League Regulations, Regional Football Leagues Regulations), the Stadium Regulations, the Club Licensing Regulations, the Disciplinary Code, the Code of Ethics and the various Directives and Guidelines.
The Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols 2025 is a work of all the clubs and will be applied strictly and the sanctions therein enforced accordingly to ensure safety and security at our match venues for all stakeholders.
The promulgation of the Enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols 2025 is only a first step in the quest for the clubs and the Association to ensure safe security at matches and that the sad incident of losing our brother Francis Yaw Frimpong at a match does not reoccur. Other steps include education of all stakeholders on the Protocols, the strict adherence to the Protocols and all other regulations, and the strict and fair application of the sanction regime by the judicial bodies of the Association.
The Association wishes to further remind all participants, supporters, and stakeholders of football that a criminal act at any football match is a CRIME and shall be handled by the Ghana Police Service as such, through the Ghana criminal justice system and GFA and all its clubs have already given their commitment to the IGP and the Ghana Police Service to support this fully.
Please find attached the approved enhanced Matchday Safety and Security Protocols 2025:
ENHANCED MATCHDAY SAFETY AND SECURITY PROTOCOLS - Feb 12 - 2025 - Approved and Signed
GFA COMMUNICATIONS