On Valentine’s Day 2024, Accra witnessed a surge of Ghanaian football enthusiasts participating in the “Save Ghana Football” demonstration, starting from Obra Spot near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and culminating at the Black Star Square.
Led by notable sports journalists such as Saddick Adams (Sports Obama), Patrick Osei Agyemang (Countryman Songo), Collins Atta Poku, and Veronica Commey, demonstrators demanded enhanced football management in the country.
However, the demonstration encountered controversy when Ghana Football Association Executive Council member, Oduro Sarfo, criticized the event’s organization, alleging the inclusion of individuals with no football expertise by the organizers.
In an interview with Promise Radio, Oduro Sarfo lamented, “The Save Ghana Football Demonstration wasn’t impressive and well organized. The organizers hired Slay Queens, Pregnant Women, and Old women who know nothing about Football.”
Ghana’s football landscape has faced significant challenges, with both the Ghana Premier League and the Black Stars witnessing decline.
The Black Stars’ early exits from recent major tournaments, coupled with issues surrounding unpaid bonuses for women’s national teams, fueled frustrations among demonstrators.
The demonstration aimed to pressure the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and other stakeholders to implement reforms.
Key demands included developing a national football policy, initiating a commission of inquiry into team underperformance, ensuring transparency in tournament earnings, and restructuring management committees for national teams.
Demonstrators wielded placards bearing messages like “Lack of vision for our football,” “No bribe before you play for our national team,” and “Kurt (Okraku) must go.” The event underscored a collective call for accountability and competency in leading Ghana’s football landscape.
