It will be difficult to secure sponsorship - Sports Minister warns after Nsoatreman, Kotoko violence

Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has issued a caution about thedeteriorating image of Ghana Premier League following the tragic death of Asante Kotoko fan Francis Frimpong in Nsoatre. The unfortunate incident occurred during the Matchday 19 game between Nsoatreman FC and Asante Kotoko at the Nana Kronmansah Park on February 2, 2025, a game that the home side won 1-0.Speaking on Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana, Mr Adams expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased, Kotoko, and the entire football community.He described Pooley as a rare and passionate supporter who embodied the spirit of Ghanaian football.He loved his sport. He supported his club everywhere they played. Even if the national team had just one Kotoko player, Pooley would be there unless he couldnt get a visa. This is the type of person weve lost, Adams lamented.The Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency further did notmince words in criticising the win-at-all-costs mentality that he believes fueled the violence.What are you really winning? What is at stake? We are struggling to get sponsorship for the Ghana Premier League, and this is what we get. No brand will want to associate itself with such negativity, he stated.Mr Adams also raised serious concerns about the state of stadium security and emergency response systems.He questioned the professionalism of security personnel and the absence of medics during the incident.Where was the ambulance? Where were the medics? Were they close enough to offer specialised first aid? These are questions we must answer, he said.Mr Adams commended the police for their swift response but emphasised the need for a comprehensive review of stadium security and football governance.This incident calls for a number of reviews. We must enhance security, improve intelligence gathering, and ensure that our emergency response measures are up to standard, he said.Mr Adams furtherwarned that without urgent reforms, Ghanaian football risks losing its appeal to sponsors and fans alike.Clubs keep complaining about lack of sponsorship, but how can we attract brands when such incidents occur? We must work together to restore the integrity of our football, he added.The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has since taken swift action, suspending six Nsoatreman FC playersStephen Diyou, Frank Dongballe, Abdul Rahaman Mohammed, Walid Neymar Fuseini, Mohammed Issaka, and Eric Osei Bonsu, for misconduct and unsporting behaviour during the match.The players have been charged under Section 12(1)(j) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, 2019, and have until Wednesday, February 5, to respond.In a related development, the Ghana Police Service has arrested former Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, along with two others, Agyemang Duah Owusu and Kyeremeh Joseph, in connection with the violence.A search of Owusus room reportedly uncovered two bloodstained dresses and an MP 23 pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition.Meanwhile, the Matchday 20 games have been postponed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Read Full Story