Until Our Security Demands are Met, We Won’t Participate in GPL- Kotoko

Asante Kotoko have taken a resolute stance against participating in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) until their demands for security enhancement at match centres are met by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

At a meeting with representatives of the FA and the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) in Kumasi on February 11, 2025, the Chairman of the Kotoko Interim Management Committee (IMC), Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awua noted that they are unwilling to risk any more lives for the game.

According to him, the security reforms they are demanding are uncompromisable.

“We are not ready. We won’t sit down for another person to lose his life. We won’t leave any stone unturned…All we want is what we have collaborated with Hearts and scripted on paper for you. We have our demands before we will resume our participation in the league. The security measures we outlined must be borne by the GFA. We can’t compromise.”
“If you think we are nobody and you won’t provide our demands, then we stay behind. Our next match is in Wenchi. We don’t know what awaits us there. We will be going with sons and daughters of humans. We can’t take that risk again. After this issue in which we haven’t seen any genuine concern from the FA, who will follow us to away match venues?”

Nana Apinkra opined that the FA doesn’t need to hurry to resume the league, urging the leadership to prioritise the safety of fans, executives and officials.

“We don’t need to hurry to resume the league for anything. Should we sit for another person to die? Life is valuable. Let’s use Frimpong’s case as advice to review security measures than rush to resume.

“Though the tragedy has stricken but more lies ahead and so take time to put suitable measures in place. Let’s undertake house cleaning before it resumes. If we suspend for three weeks to put adequate measures in place, it would be worth it.”

Demands
Following the stabbing to death of a Kotoko fan at Nsoatre on February 2, 2025 at a game between the Porcupines and Nsoatreman FC, Kotoko and Hearts wrote to the FA demanding the 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