Ghana League Club Association (GHALCA) chairman Cudjoe Fianoo has outlined his policy document touting his achievements in his first term as he seeks for re-elections.
The former Ghana football association executive committee member has been the leader of GHALCA in the last four years, which was largely hampered by the famous number 12 exposè by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and coronavirus pandemic
However, the experience of Fianoo came to bare, as he managed to rakes some significant success.
Below is some achievement of Fianoo-led administration:
Refurbishment of GHALCA Secretariat
Upon assumption of office, my administration swiftly implemented a policy of retooling and refurbishing the Secretariat to bring it to appreciable working level. Today, the GHALCA Secretariat boasts of a more professional outlook.
It is work in progress as the implementation of this policy shall continue -God willing- in my next administration to ensure that the Secretariat maintains and improves its standards and working environment.
2. Improved Competitions
GHALCA under my leadership launched an innovative version of the annual “President’s Cup.” This innovation saw the revival of regional local derbies across the country. It also saw the hosting of the grand final game between Hearts Of Oak and Asante Kotoko – for the first time in the history of this organisation outside the capital, Accra.
Under my leadership, the hitherto Top 4 Competition was expanded to G6 to accommodate the Champion and Runner-Up of the FA Cup. The G6 Competition was eventually expanded to G8 to give opportunities to newly promoted clubs from Division One, to test their wits and prepare adequately ahead of their campaigns in the Elite Division. It is gratifying to note that Dawu-based Dreams FC (then a Division One Club) won the maiden edition of the tournament.
Normalisation Era
GHALCA played a leading role during the period of Normalisation of Ghana football. The football fraternity converged under the umbrella of this Association to convey its grievances and views on issues to relevant authorities. GHALCA, under my leadership during this period, became the sole mouthpiece and conveyor vehicle for the football fraternity to communicate its views mainly to the Normalisation Committee, the Sports Ministry, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports and the Presidency. It will be recalled that GHALCA was the body that stood in for Clubs when the Normalisation Committee threatened to withdraw the NC Competition over disagreements with members. GHALCA was also the vehicle used to get alternative views of the football fraternity considered during the formulation of the new Statutes of the Ghana Football Association.
COVID-19 Relief Package
Through the critical support offered by the GHALCA Executives to the leadership of the Ghana Football Association, the football fraternity was able to present a good and convincing case to solicit financial support from Government to mitigate the biting effects occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support from Government, Premier League Clubs are to benefit from a financial support of GHc100,000 each, of which the first half of GHc50,000 has already been paid. Efforts are still ongoing to secure some support for clubs in the Division One League.
It will be recalled that through this effective relationship between GHALCA and the GFA, the National Youth Authority (NYA) for the first time in the history of Ghana football announced and have been implementing a financial support package for players in the Women’s Premier League.
The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) was set up primarily to seek the welfare of clubs in Ghana. This vision has manifested in various ways over the years. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in the present day has presented new challenges for Clubs around the world. The current situation, especially in Ghana warrants a larger focus on the welfare of Clubs and this is exactly what is going to be the focal point of my next administration as Chairman of GHALCA.
