Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, has once again called for a review of the country’s ban on alcohol sponsorship in football, describing it as a major obstacle to the commercial growth of the sport.
Speaking at the 31st Ordinary Congress, Okraku reiterated that the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) guidelines, which prohibit alcoholic beverage companies from sponsoring football, have cost the game in Ghana millions of cedis in potential revenue.
“Today, I must once again highlight this reality, not to challenge regulation, but to appeal for reform grounded in logic, fairness, and global best practice,” he said.
Okraku argued that while major football competitions worldwide, such as the UEFA Champions League, enjoy sponsorship from global alcohol brands like Heineken, Ghanaian football is denied the same opportunities; even though these international competitions are consumed and celebrated by local fans, including the youth.
“It is both paradoxical and economically counterproductive that Ghanaian football cannot benefit from a product category that supports football across the globe,” he added.
The GFA president proposed the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework that would permit responsible alcohol sponsorship, created in collaboration with the FDA, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, civil society, and health advocacy groups.
Okraku believes such reform could open significant new revenue streams, helping to strengthen clubs, improve player welfare, and boost the overall competitiveness of Ghana football.
Source: Citisportsonline.com
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