Kotoko and Hearts of Oak Take Major Steps Toward Autonomous Ghana Premier League
In a significant development for Ghanaian football, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak have announced that they are making pivotal strides towards transitioning the Ghana Premier League into an autonomous league. This announcement follows a crucial meeting with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) aimed at addressing pressing issues within the league.
The meeting took place on February 20, 2025, and was attended by key stakeholders, including GFA President Kurt Okraku. It comes in the wake of heightened concerns regarding safety in the league, particularly after the tragic death of Kotoko supporter Francis Yaw “Pooley” Frimpong during a match against Nsoatreman.
Both clubs have called for enhanced security protocols to ensure the safety of players, officials, and fans at all league games. They expressed their commitment to rigorous compliance with the proposed measures, which include an expanded security presence and a significant increase in security personnel at matches.
In their joint statement, Kotoko and Hearts of Oak highlighted that these enhanced security measures are essential for protecting everyone involved in the game and termed the improvements as a “game-changer.” The clubs also emphasized that the meeting marked a crucial step forward in the long-anticipated transition to an Autonomous Premier League.
Kotoko plans to hold a press conference at the Baba Yara Stadium on February 24, 2025, to further discuss their stance and the outcomes of their discussions with the GFA.
