IGP Meets GFA, GHALCA, and Clubs: Bold Steps Taken to Improve Safety and Security at Matches
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare, has taken a significant step towards addressing safety and security concerns in Ghana’s football stadiums.
In a meeting with the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), and Premier League clubs on Wednesday, Dr. Akuffo-Damapre said the Police Service is committed to finding solutions to improve safety and security and avoid violence in stadiums.
This meeting was prompted by the recent incidents of violence at the Ghana Premier League match between Nsoatreman FC and Asante Kotoko SC, which unfortunately led to the death of Yaw Frimpong. The meeting aimed to identify gaps in football policing and develop strategies to further ensure a safe and secure environment for players, officials, and spectators.
The meeting was attended by the top management of the Ghana Police Service and was held behind closed doors to enable everyone to contribute freely to find the needed solutions and improvements to safety and security at football matches.
In all, there were 33 points of action for improvement, some of which the IGP and his team immediately approved for implementation.
The Key outcomes from the meeting include:
Appointment of Sports Security Officers: The Police Service will appoint Sports Security Officers in all 16 regions to serve as a link between the Police Service and the Ghana Football Association.
Establishment of a Sports Policing Unit: The Police Service will set up a dedicated Sports Policing Unit in the medium term to focus on sports policing. The Unit will engage supporters groups regularly on Safety and Security at games to build more collaborative relationships at matches.
Inclusion of Sports Policing in Police Training: Sports policing will be included as part of the training course at the Police Training Schools. This starts immediately.
Intelligence Deployment and Fan Education: The Police will deploy intelligence around teams and develop a blueprint on fan education to promote a safer and more respectful fan culture in honour of the late Francis Nana Yaw Frimpong.
Dr. Akuffo-Dampare emphasized the Police Service’s commitment to addressing the issue, stating, “We are committed to fixing the problem. We will get it done because it’s our responsibility to protect the people of Ghana and the very fabric that brings the people together.”
The IGP repeated the commitment of the Ghana Police Service to bring justice to the family of Yaw Frimpong, Asante Kotoko SC and the football fraternity.
