The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appealed to Parliament to support a review of the ban on sports sponsorship by alcoholic beverage companies, arguing that the policy is depriving Ghanaian football of much-needed financial support.
The appeal was made by GFA President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, when officials of the Association appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports on Thursday to discuss efforts to restore public confidence in the Black Stars and improve the state of football in the country.
The meeting, chaired by Mr Henry Ernest Norgbey, provided an opportunity for the GFA to outline key challenges confronting Ghanaian football and seek parliamentary support in addressing them.
Addressing members of the Committee, Mr Okraku said restrictions imposed by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) on sponsorship by alcoholic beverage companies had cost the Association significant sponsorship opportunities.
He noted that while major international football leagues continue to benefit from sponsorship agreements with alcoholic beverage brands, Ghanaian football remains unable to access similar support because of the regulatory restrictions.
According to the GFA President, the Association lost a sponsorship deal worth US$5 million with Guinness Ghana as a result of the policy.
He urged Parliament to consider the impact of the restrictions on sports financing and development, stressing that sponsorship remains a critical source of funding for football and other sporting disciplines.
Mr Okraku also highlighted infrastructural and technical challenges affecting the performance of Ghana’s national teams.
He identified poor playing surfaces, inadequate stadium facilities and weaknesses within technical support structures as some of the factors hindering the country’s ability to compete effectively and win trophies at major international competitions.
The GFA President further called on the government to abolish import duties on uniforms procured for the Black Stars, arguing that such a move would help reduce the cost of preparing the national team for international assignments.
Responding to the concerns raised, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Norgbey, assured the GFA delegation of Parliament’s support in efforts aimed at strengthening sports development in the country.
The engagement forms part of broader discussions between Parliament and key stakeholders in the sports sector on measures to improve the performance and sustainability of Ghanaian football.