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President Edwin Simeon-Okraku delivers message of hope and rallies support at Brong Ahafo “Meet The Press”
President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku delivered a message of hope as he rallied support for Ghana Football during an interactive and heart-warming edition of the GFA’s ‘Meet The Press’ Series held in Sunyani on Friday August 9, 2024.
In a well attended event hosted at the Eusbett Hotel, the President urged for collaborative efforts between the media and the Ghana Football Association for the forward march of football in the country.
In a detailed address to the media in Sunyani, President Simeon-Okraku touched on several areas of interest including, but not limited to sponsorship, support for clubs, financial sustainability, refereeing, acts of violence, youth development, Catch Them Young Referee policy, Premier League media rights and betting.
The President also touched on Governance, Competitions, Coach Education, the new-look Technical Centre at Bolgatanga and Prampram, implementation of Football Strategy, support for RFAs’, National Teams, Youth Competitions, Registration of juvenile players, use of social media and Parliamentarians who have taken interest in investing in football directly.
President Edwin Simeon-Okraku also used the opportunity to address allegations levelled against his administration relating to perceived influencing of Referees and perceived bias in the decision to divide the National Division One Zone 1 into two subzones.
He stated that every policy of the Football Association is targeted at the greater good of the game.
“I stand for Ghana Football. The Exco stands for Ghana Football and not for individual Clubs. Whatever polices we make, or decisions we take are for the greater good,” he said
He said, “The claim that the GFA or myself control or have interest in referees are completely false and must be disregarded. It’s just a creation of a non-existent theory.”
While admonishing media practitioners to be circumspect and get acquainted with the laws of the game and their interpretation, the President asked the media to help him to educate Football fans to curb hooliganism which has no place in football, and to protect the Ghana Football brand.
“Under no circumstance should a referee lose his life for getting a decision wrong. Let’s take hooliganism in any form out of our game. The product is supreme. We should hold and protect the product,” he said.
According to him, “We must also be abreast with the laws and their interpretation because what you say impacts the emotions and opinion of supporters and largely contributes to some of the negative vibes around our domestic league.”
He underscored the vital role played by the media in creating an enabling environment for football to thrive and urged stakeholders to uphold the tenet of honesty.
The GFA President further said, “Without the media, we cannot create the enabling environment for footballers and administrators to deliver football and footballing products. We must be honest. And being honest is the way forward for all of us.”
He added that “At club level, no money is small money. We have to be clever on how we can deliver our football platforms for people to be interested in them.”
He also said the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association is working hard to put the National Division One League (DOL) Live on television.
“The vision of the Executive Council of the GFA is to put the National Division One League on TV. We are working extremely hard towards achieving that,”he assured.
Ahead of the engagement with the media, President Simeon-Okraku paid a visit to the Brong Ahafo Regional Football Association (BARFA) Secretariat where he met with the Regional Chairman, his Executive Committee and staff of the Secretariat.
The President will also meet with Premier, Women and Division One League Clubs from the region to discuss ways in which the FA could be of greater help to them.
The GFA’s decision to hold the session in Sunyani highlights the Association’s efforts to engage with all Football regions across the country to foster greater transparency and inclusivity in its operations.
This is the second time the President will be engaging the media in the ‘Meet The Press’ series after the first one was held in Kumasi back in February 2024.
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GoldBod Taskforce Cracks Down on 10 Chinese gold smugglers in Western Region
In a bold move against illegal gold trading, the Ghana GoldBod Taskforce has made headlines by executing a significant operation in Asankragua, a town in the Western region of Ghana.
The regulatory body apprehended ten Chinese nationals suspected of smuggling gold, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against illicit trade and resource exploitation in the country.
The operation was a meticulous sting, showcasing the commitment and precision of the GoldBod Taskforce.
In all, authorities seized an impressive 1.3 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately GHC1.4 million along with GHC1.3 million in cash and a selection of casino cards.
The materials recovered suggest a potential linkage to organized crime and money laundering activities, raising alarms about the depth of illegal operations within Ghana’s gold industry.
Addressing the media shortly after the bust, Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.), the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, expressed the board’s dedication to enforcing the GoldBod Act 1140.
According to him, this critical legislation explicitly prohibits foreigners from engaging in local gold trading, a measure designed to protect Ghanaian miners and bolster the economy.
The CEO emphasized the importance of upholding the law to safeguard the nation’s resources from exploitation.
“Today marks a significant step in our fight against illegal gold trading,” Gyamfi asserted. We will not tolerate any individual or group that seeks to undermine our laws and exploit our resources. The GoldBod Taskforce is here to protect our gold from illegal exploitation, and we will hold accountable anyone who bypasses our regulations,” he said.
He added that this operation signifies a profound shift in Ghana’s stance on illegal gold trading, which has long threatened the nation’s wealth and the livelihoods of countless local miners and businesses.
“The arrest of the Chinese nationals also sends a clear message: the era of unchecked smuggling is coming to an end,” he concluded.
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Prof. Dodoo named ARSO President Emeritus
The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has unanimously conferred Professor Alex Dodoo with the honorary title of President Emeritus following resolutions by both its executive council and general assembly.
The decision, which was taken during the 31st General Assembly of ARSO in Zanzibar, Tanzania, last Friday, recognised Prof. Dodoo’s exceptional leadership in advancing continental standards for trade, safety and sustainable development.
The resolution ensured his continued advisory role in the strategic direction of ARSO while mentoring future standardisation leaders across Africa.
The Secretary-General of ARSO, Dr Hemogene Nsengimana, said the title of President Emeritus was reserved for leaders whose impact transcended their tenure, reflecting lifelong dedication to their field.
Excellence
As immediate past ARSO President and Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Dodoo spearheaded the creation of critical structures within ARSO and influenced harmonisation initiatives supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Professor Dodoo, an expert in pharmaceuticals, public health, and standards regulation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the standardisation landscape of Africa.
Under his leadership, ARSO saw effective collaboration among member states culminating in the general assembly this year, and bringing together a record 34 countries, the highest in the history of the organisation.
The advocacy of Professor Dodoo for “One Standard, One Test, One Acceptance” across Africa has been instrumental in reducing technical barriers to trade and fostering economic integration.
In his new role, Professor Dodoo would continue to provide strategic guidance to ARSO, mentor emerging leaders in standardisation, and champion the voice of Africa in global standards bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Professor Dodoo, in his acceptance remark, said, “This honour is not just a personal milestone but shows the collective efforts of all stakeholders working toward a standardised, competitive, and quality-driven Africa.”
He said, “Our journey is far from over, and I remain committed to the vision of an Africa where standards fuel prosperity.”
As President Emeritus, Professor Dodoo is expected to focus on critical areas such as strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure, advocating for standards in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and digital economies and bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers in standardisation.
Competence
The Executive Director of the Standards Division at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, said Prof. Dodoo had contributed towards the leadership of the ARSO Council in driving strategy, governance, “reviewing our laws and statutes and ensuring their implementation”.
“I hope he will still serve the needs and aspirations of ARSO in his new role,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Private sector leaders who attended the event also lauded Professor Dodoo’s efforts to align African standards with global best practices.
The Regional Director of COTECNA, a key partner in the continental standards community, Antoine Anne, for his part, said the appointment of Professor Dodoo reaffirmed the commitment of the African continent to excellence.
