GFA Constitutes 3-Member Medical Committee to Safeguard Players’ Welfare

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has constituted a committee to be responsible for players’ welfare and align to global best practices.

In a statement, the FA said the aim is to enhance healthcare standards across all levels of football in the country.

“This move aligns with the GFA’s commitment to safeguarding player welfare, improving medical governance, and ensuring compliance with global best practices in sports medicine.”

The three-member committee include Dr. [Med.] Abena Yeboaa Tannor {Chairperson}, Dr. Ernest Anim-Opare and Dr. [Med.] Eric Tetteh Ayertey.

The Medical Committee’s Scope of Work covers the following areas:
1. Education and Capacity Building Organizing annual certification-based training programs for all football medical personnel. Focus areas include sports cardiology, concussion management, doping control, sports nutrition, injury prevention, and mental health.

2. Clinical Governance and Oversight Enforcing adherence to GFA medical regulations and evidence-based practices through routine audits, ensuring compliance across clubs, academies, and match venues.

3. Athlete Health Screening and Risk Management Implementing mandatory Pre-Participation Medical Evaluations (PPMEs) for all players at national and regional levels, standardizing risk assessments and ensuring thorough medical clearance.

4. Injury Surveillance and Research Maintaining a centralized injury surveillance database, promoting research initiatives to guide policy formulation and improve player health outcomes.

5. Professional Regulation and Registry Maintenance Establishing a verified registry of certified sports medicine and allied health professionals involved in football, linking this registry to club licensing and compliance processes.

6. Anti-Doping and Substance Misuse Control Strengthening anti-doping education and testing in alignment with WADA, CAF, and FIFA standards, supporting substance misuse prevention strategies and ensuring proper handling of doping violations.