DCOP Lydia Donkor has assured that security at football match venues will be “standardized” to address the growing issue of hooliganism in Ghanaian football.
Her comments come after the tragic death of Asante Kotoko supporter Francis Frimpong, popularly known as Nana Pooley, who was stabbed during the Porcupine Warriors’ Matchday 19 clash against Nsoatreman FC in Nsoatre. The incident prompted the suspension of Matchday 20 fixtures in the Ghana Premier League as part of efforts to curb such violence.
Asante Kotoko has since withdrawn from the competition, stating that they will not return “until justice is served.” Addressing the situation, DCOP Lydia Donkor, chairperson of the Ghana Football Association’s security committee, outlined plans to enhance safety measures at match venues.
“We are looking into all of these things [concerns at various stadia], and hopefully, going forward, things are going to be more standardized,” she told Joy Sports. “In our football space, we do not have stewards being a standard form of security, adding to what the police are doing. We are looking at that, encouraging clubs and all of the people involved in football to start formalizing and looking at the issue of stewards so that those numbers complement what the police provide.”
The Ghana Football Association is yet to announce a resumption date for the Premier League. Meanwhile, six individuals, including Nsoatreman FC bankroller Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
