President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeone Okraku has issued a solidarity message to clubs in the country while stressing that he shares their pain in this Coronavirus period.
The Covid-19 which has become a global pandemic has not spared Ghana but has infected 195 persons, though most of these cases were imported.
Due to how fast it spreads, the Ghana FA in line with a directive from the government to suspend all public gatherings has suspended the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League season.
Two weeks on, clubs have begun to cry out over the financial crisis they are going through as they seek for support.
Through a solidarity message from GFA boss Kurt Okraku, he has urged the clubs to keep faith in this difficult period and have the belief that things will get back to normal soon.
“I share in this pain. However, we must also be concerned about our health and the need to take precautions at this extremely difficult time. There is the need to remind ourselves that, it is just a phase that will soon change when we all abide by the protocols given to us by state. I urge everyone to continue to fully abide by all the protocols and the directives”, he said.
Kurt Okraku has also shared that he is in talks with the government in a bid to secure support from any stimulus package that will be used to support the clubs.
“During this period, I am engaging with all the major stakeholders to ensure that the football family is included in the government's stimulus package to alleviate some of the hardship on our industry”, he added.
Below is the full statement from Kurt Okraku:
SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM GFA PRESIDENT KURT OKRAKU IN THE WAKE OF THE CORONAVIRUS
Dear Club Owners & CEOs,
MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY IN THE WAKE OF CORONA VIRUS
One cannot overstate the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has brought an unprecedented challenge for members of the football industry.
As President of the Association and a club man, I know the extent of the challenges that clubs have gone through due to the current situation and the financial burden we continue to face as club owners, officials, players and as participants in the game.
I share in this pain. However, we must also be concerned about our health and the need to take precaution at this extremely difficult time. There is the need to remind ourselves that, it is just a phase which will soon change when we all abide by the protocols given to us by state. I urge everyone to continue to fully abide by all the protocols and the directives.
During this period, I am engaging with all the major stakeholders to ensure that the football family is included in the government's stimulus package to alleviate some of the hardship on our industry.
I will continue to positively engage the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and Government for the advancement for our beloved sport.
It is unfortunate that we have to wait a little longer for our Extraordinary Congress, where some key decisions would taken to impact positively on the game.
I would therefore call on all of us to rally around and fight this deadly pandemic for the good of the industry.
Finally, I want to thank all Club owners, Administrators, Footballers, Coaches Referees, the media and everyone involved in our sport for your professionalism and dedication to service. You showed class and selflessness until the season was suspended because of COVID-19.
Together we will win this battle. Long live Ghana Football
#Bringbackthelove #Creatingwealthignitingpassion
Best Regards
SIGNED Kurt E.S Okraku (President, Ghana Football Association).