Ghana Football Association seeks review of alcohol sponsorship restrictions

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appealed to Parliament to review restrictions on alcoholic beverage sponsorship for sporting activities. GFA President Kurt Okraku met with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports to argue that current Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) regulations have deprived the association of significant financial opportunities. Okraku noted that the GFA lost a $5 million sponsorship deal with Guinness Ghana due to these restrictions.

Okraku cited poor playing surfaces, inadequate stadium facilities, and technical staff weaknesses as factors hindering the national teams. However, the appeal has faced criticism from media outlets like The Ghanaian Chronicle, which expressed concern that prioritizing football funding could undermine public health safeguards and the welfare of young people.

Separately, journalist Andy Kerm has raised questions regarding transparency within the GFA. Kerm questioned President Okraku’s reported preference for closed-door meetings when addressing the country’s 44-year drought in winning major football trophies, suggesting a need for greater public accountability.