Sports
FIFA Financial Governance Workshop launches in Accra
A three-day high-level workshop on FIFA financial governance has commenced at the Marriott Hotel in Accra.
This initiative aims to equip participants with the latest knowledge and tools to enhance financial governance and accountability within football administration.
Organised by FIFA, the workshop is part of the newly established FIFA Campus, which serves as a central hub for football education and capacity development for ten member associations, including Cape Verde, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the host Ghana.
The workshop will focus on strategies to improve financial transparency, effective resource allocation, and best practices that align with FIFA’s financial management standards.
It has brought together general secretaries and chief finance directors from mostly Anglophone African member associations.
Performing the opening ceremony, Mark Addo, Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), praised FIFA for selecting Ghana as the venue for this important workshop. He emphasised that it would enhance understanding of financial governance, which is essential for integrity, accountability, and transparency in football.
Addo highlighted that transparency, accountability, and ethical governance are fundamental principles for FIFA, which requires all member associations to adhere to strict financial standards to maintain trust and integrity within the sport.
“Implementing transparent, accountable, and ethical financial practices fosters trust and supports our global football communities. It also aids in expanding our products and collaborations.
Workshops like this provide a valuable opportunity for us to learn from each other and share ideas that will strengthen our collective efforts,” he stated.
He urged participants to recognise that financial governance is not merely a technical obligation but a moral and ethical responsibility to the millions who view association officials as custodians of the game. He encouraged open dialogue and the courage to embrace new ideas.
Christoph Suppiger, FIFA’s head of financial governance programs, reiterated that the organization’s commitment to developing football globally relies on sound financial management. This ensures that member associations receive optimal value from funding distributed through the FIFA Forward program. Regular workshops like this one are essential for enhancing financial governance and capacity development among member associations.
The workshop began with a presentation of the Financial Governance Guide, followed by discussions, group work, and case studies covering topics such as conflict of interest, planning and budgeting, procurement processes, and the significance of maintaining adequate supporting documentation.
By Raymond Ackumey
The Black Queens will on Wednesday, April 29, learn their opponents for the African qualifying phase of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games Women’s Football Tournament.
The draw, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will take place at CAF headquarters in Cairo and will be streamed live on CAF TV from 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT).
Ghana is among 35 national teams participating in the qualification campaign, which will determine the two African representatives for the women’s football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, scheduled for July 11 to 29, 2028.
The qualification series will be played over five rounds, with each nation aiming to secure one of the two available slots for Africa at the global event in Los Angeles.
Having recently climbed to 59th in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings and currently ranked third in Africa, the draw marks the beginning of another major international mission, the quest to seek a return to Olympic football.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially awarded the nation the rights to host the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
CAF covered the decision in a letter addressed to the General Secretary, Lawyer Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq.
The decision underscores CAF’s strong confidence in the Ghana Football Association’s ability to organize and deliver a tournament that meets the highest standards of youth football on the continent.
Ghana last hosted the competition in 1999 – when the Black Satellites lifted the trophy on home soil amid scenes of national celebration.
Coincidentally, 2027 will mark the 70th Independence anniversary and the competition could be a great part of the celebrations.
CAF says it will work closely with the Football Association and a soon-to-be-established Local Organising Committee (LOC) to ensure the successful planning and execution of the tournament.
This collaboration is expected to focus on infrastructure readiness, logistics, security, and overall fan experience, all aimed at delivering a world-class event worthy of Africa’s growing football stature.
Beyond the excitement of hosting, the tournament represents a broader endorsement of Ghana’s reputation as one of Africa’s premier football hubs.
Over the years, the country has consistently demonstrated its capability to stage high-profile competitions, backed by passionate supporters, improving facilities and a rich football culture.
The CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations holds particular importance in the global football ecosystem. Widely regarded as a breeding ground for future stars, the competition has historically served as a launching pad for some of Africa’s most celebrated players. Many participants have gone on to achieve remarkable success at top European clubs and on the international stage, making the tournament a key showcase of emerging talent.
With history, passion and proven capability on its side, Ghana now stands poised to deliver a memorable and impactful U-20 AFCON tournament, one that could shape the future of African football once again.
