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FIFA Development Office team visit GFA
The Regional Manager of the FIFA
Development Office for West & Central Africa, El Hadj Wack Diop and Africa-Regional Coordinator of Member Associations Division of FIFA, Silmara Sousa have paid a working visit to the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The team arrived in Ghana on Tuesday and will be in the country for three days to hold meetings with the GFA on various football development issues and a review of the Association’s work, including projects under the FIFA Forward programme.
The discussion will focus on a review of GFA’s Contract of Agreed Objectives for 2023-2026 (GFA’s Strategic Plan), pre-assessment of the 11 criteria under Article 6 of the FIFA Forward Regulations and a review of ongoing projects.
The meeting will also focus on the GFA Technical Department in the areas of Women’s football development, the GFA’s Talent Identification Scheme (TDS), the FIFA High Performance, and the GFA’s action plan for the use of the FIFA forward funds.
The engagements are expected to enable the GFA to prepare the next projects to be presented at the next AFCA or DevCo meeting of FIFA.
The discussion will focus on a review of GFA’s Contract of Agreed Objectives for 2023-2026 (GFA’s Strategic Plan), pre-assessment of the 11 criteria under Article 6 of the FIFA Forward Regulations and a review of ongoing projects.
The meeting will also focus on the GFA Technical Department in the areas of Women’s football development, the GFA’s Talent Identification Scheme (TDS), the FIFA High Performance, and the GFA’s action plan for the use of the FIFA forward funds.
The engagements are expected to enable the GFA to prepare the next projects to be presented at the next AFCA or DevCo meeting of FIFA.
The delegation will on Thursday visit project sites, the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram and engage the Director of the Technical Centre, and the Technical Director.
The team has held meetings with the President of the Association, Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the General Secretary, Director of Legal, Women football development team, and the Director of Finance of the Association.
El Hadj Wack Diop and Miss Silmara Sousa will depart Ghana on Friday, March 29, 2024.
The Africa Investment Network has entered a new partnership with 17 Asset Management to expand investment opportunities for Africans in the diaspora.
The two organisations will work together to open more pathways for diaspora investors, provide better data on markets, and connect investors to viable projects across the continent.
The partnership will focus on mapping investment opportunities across countries and sectors, building a Diaspora Pathways Program to guide new investors, and creating a shared research platform that provides market insights, returns benchmarks, regulatory updates and sector outlooks.
The two groups will also develop a trade and deal catalogue to help match businesses with partners.
As part of the collaboration, both institutions will host investment roadshows through the Global Africa Summit series, starting with GAS Accra from December 11 to 12 at the Alisa Hotel.
The event will showcase deals, hold sector briefings and connect investors with government and private sector actors.
Africa Investment Network founder and Chief Executive Jane Reindorf Osei noted that diaspora capital remains one of Africa’s strongest advantages because it is patient, purpose driven and closely linked to local development outcomes.
She explained that the partnership will help direct more diaspora investment into areas where it can make the most impact.
Chairman of 17 Asset Management, John Morris, highlighted that the joint effort will blend strong investment design with Africa Investment Network’s networks and convening power.
He stressed that improved research and compliant market access will give diaspora investors more confidence across different markets.
The two institutions will open their diaspora investment platform in the second quarter of 2026, followed by the launch of a co investment window.
Investment roadshows will also be held in North America, the Caribbean and key African centres next year.
Africa Investment Network and 17 Asset Management invited governments, development finance institutions, family offices, asset managers and other partners to support deal creation, risk sharing and market building initiatives aimed at boosting diaspora participation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu insists that neither President Mahama nor the National Democratic Congress has filed any petition seeking the removal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson and her two deputies.
In a one on one Interview with GHone, he explained that the President only forwarded petitions he received, as required by law, and has not initiated any action against the EC leadership.
According to him, the identities and motives of the petitioners remain unknown to government, and the Presidency is not involved in that part of the process.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that while the NDC has openly disagreed with some actions of the Electoral Commission in the past, the party has not submitted any petition asking for the removal of the EC Chair or her deputies.
He noted that comments by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, questioning the EC’s competence, do not amount to a formal petition.
He added that criticism of public officials is normal and does not automatically translate into a request for their removal.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that once a petition is received, the President’s only role is to forward it to the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice then decides if the allegations have merit. If they do, a committee is set up to investigate.
He said those named in the petitions will be officially informed by the Chief Justice, not the Presidency.
They will then have the opportunity to appear before the committee, respond to the claims, and provide any evidence in their defence.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu expressed confidence that the process will be fair and will protect the rights of all those involved.
By: Jacob Aggrey
