Minister praises football progress in Ghana

Ghana’s sports minister Hon. Clement Kofi Humado has hailed the progress in Ghana football insisting that government will support the federation to ensure success for all the national teams and clubs.

The minister praised new initiatives introduced by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) last season claiming it helped to improve standards in the local league and football in the country.

He greeted the introduction of the electronic registration system, the referees review panel and the up-to-minute coverage of the results of the top-flight league on the GFA's website.

Hon. Humado was speaking at the opening of the 14th Annual Congress of Ghana Football Association which started in Prampram on Wednesday.

"The introduction of the electronic registration and verification systems for players helped to significantly solve the perennial problem of protests in respect of unqualified players that some years ago culminated in the winning of points at the FA's boardroom instead of the football pitch," Humado told Congress.

"Your introduction of the Referees Review Panel, the up-to-minute updates of the matches, on the FA's website, the presentation of referees’ strips to the referees officiating in the Division One League and the live telecast of some of the League and FA Cup matches among others, have added more beauty to Ghana football and are highly commendable.

"The ministry once again wishes to assure the GFA of our unflinching collaboration and co-operation on matters of developing and promoting football in the country.

"We shall continue to offer the necessary support of the various national teams for their respective engagements for the rest of the year and 2013 to bring honours to the nation."

Despite hailing the progress of Ghana football last season, the minister called on the GFA to improve efforts to get more sponsors for the league and also asked officials to help clamp down on hooliganism.