At the ongoing Elite U15 Girls Championship at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence, the Ghana Football Association has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe environment for all participants in football with a guiding principle that; ‘all young players have the right to participate in an environment safe from harm and abuse.’
Ahead of the team’s arrival, GFA Safeguarding Officers, Obed Tuffour, and Bernice Bempah conducted a mandatory pre-tournament inspection of the facilities to ensure it met safety standards.
Facilities inspected included the camping and training facilities, access to clean water, and the general safety of the premises of the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence.
Both officers were present during the orientation of match officials and the team officials of all the participating teams.
All the participating teams signed a Code of Conduct governing the competition as part of the GFA’s policy to ensure a secure environment where players can enjoy football without fear of being harmed.
Former CAF Deputy General Secretary Tony Baffoe, who visited the competition venue, in an interview, applauded the safeguarding measures put in place by the GFA Safeguarding Officers saying it has created an enabling environment for the girls.
With the mantra “Building a Safer Football Space” the GFA believes the wellbeing of all young players is critical to their development and their overall career progression, and, therefore, will persist in its efforts to create and maintain an atmosphere where young talents can excel without fear of being harmed.
The GFA will extend the safeguarding policy to all Regional Football Associations to promote safety and awareness at all levels of the game, especially at the juvenile football level.
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