Kotoko and Hearts Demand Police and Military Deployment to Specific Stadiums
The leadership of Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak have written to the Ghana Football Association outlining some demands to streamline the safety, security and effectiveness of the country’s league.
This follows the stabbing to death of a Kotoko fan at Nsoatre on February 2, 2025 following a game between the Porcupines and Nsoatreman FC.
“We, the management teams of Asante Kotoko SC and Accra Hearts of Oak SC, the two leading clubs in the Ghana Premier League, are deeply worried by the state of the league.”
Among the demands are deployment of police and military personnel to specific stadiums during match days.
“The number of police personnel deployed for category A and B matches should be at least 100. In addition, at least 20 military men should be deployed to Category A matches and some Category B matches with a high risk of danger. Security personnel must be from other stations in the Region and not from the locality of the match venue.”
The Chairman of the Kotoko IMC, Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awua and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Hearts, Togbe Afede XIV also called for the implementation of the Gbadegbe Commission report; installation of Security Cameras at all league centres; development of risk assessment to categorise matches; relocating matches which do not meet the criteria for hosting matches of that category; and a redefinition of minimum standards for premier league match venues.
The two giants are also demanding:
1. The league should be made autonomous and run by an independent management team.
2. The GFA should work towards the exemption of match proceeds from VAT and other
similar deductions.
3. The GFA should disclose to Kotoko and Hearts of Oak before the commencement of each football season the total number of their matches that will be televised to ensure that a fair percentage of the revenue from Sponsorship and TV Rights deals is determined and duly paid to us.
4. Kotoko and Hearts should be automatically represented on the GFA Executive
Committee.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
