Clubs proposed amendments to GFA statutes on presidential term limits and womenâ??s representation

Member clubs of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) submitted proposals for significant amendments to the Association’s statutes, focusing on wide-ranging reforms, including an extension of presidential term limits and the elevation of the women’s representative to a more prominent leadership role within the Executive Council.

The proposals form part of a broader movement to modernize the GFA’s governance framework and align it with international best practices.

The proposals, submitted by various clubs and stakeholders across all levels of Ghanaian football, prompted the GFA’s Executive Council to initiate a formal review process by establishing a Statutes Review Committee, chaired by Dr. Randy Abbey, over three years ago. The committee’s mandate was to collate, assess and refine all proposed amendments submitted by stakeholders from the Premier League, Division One League, Women’s Premier League and Regional Football Associations.

Clubs proposed extending the presidential term limit from two terms to three, to correct an internal inconsistency in the GFA’s governance structure. While members of the Executive Council are eligible to serve up to three terms, the President, who is also a member of the Council, was limited to only two. The proposal also seeks to harmonize the GFA’s statutes with the term limits set by CAF and FIF

In a landmark move to enhance gender representation, clubs proposed amending the statutes to designate the elected Women’s Representative on the Executive Council as the 2nd Vice President of the Association. The initiative reflects growing momentum globally, and within Ghana, to empower women in football leadership and aligns with FIFA’s directive that each confederation or association must include at least one female executive member in a meaningful role.

The final proposals, after extensive consultations with member clubs and stakeholders, were submitted to FIFA Governance, in coordination with CAF Governance for review and guidance. FIFA has since approved the amendments relating to term limits and women’s representation, while advising against several other proposals that were submitted.

This endorsement by FIFA marks a critical step forward, although the proposed changes are now subject to approval by the GFA Congress, which remains the Association’s supreme legislative body.

Member clubs of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) submitted proposals for significant amendments to the Association’s statutes, focusing on wide-ranging reforms, including an extension of presidential term limits and the elevation of the women’s representative to a more prominent leadership role within the Executive Council.

The proposals form part of a broader movement to modernize the GFA’s governance framework and align it with international best practices.

The proposals, submitted by various clubs and stakeholders across all levels of Ghanaian football, prompted the GFA’s Executive Council to initiate a formal review process by establishing a Statutes Review Committee, chaired by Dr. Randy Abbey, over three years ago. The committee’s mandate was to collate, assess and refine all proposed amendments submitted by stakeholders from the Premier League, Division One League, Women’s Premier League and Regional Football Associations.

Clubs proposed extending the presidential term limit from two terms to three, to correct an internal inconsistency in the GFA’s governance structure. While members of the Executive Council are eligible to serve up to three terms, the President, who is also a member of the Council, was limited to only two. The proposal also seeks to harmonize the GFA’s statutes with the term limits set by CAF and FIF

In a landmark move to enhance gender representation, clubs proposed amending the statutes to designate the elected Women’s Representative on the Executive Council as the 2nd Vice President of the Association. The initiative reflects growing momentum globally, and within Ghana, to empower women in football leadership and aligns with FIFA’s directive that each confederation or association must include at least one female executive member in a meaningful role.

The final proposals, after extensive consultations with member clubs and stakeholders, were submitted to FIFA Governance, in coordination with CAF Governance for review and guidance. FIFA has since approved the amendments relating to term limits and women’s representation, while advising against several other proposals that were submitted.

This endorsement by FIFA marks a critical step forward, although the proposed changes are now subject to approval by the GFA Congress, which remains the Association’s supreme legislative body.

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