Former Western Regional Football Association Chairman, Kojo Yankah has branded the Ghana Football Association Statutes Review Committee’s latest proposal to extend the tenure of the organization’s presidency from two to three terms of four years each as not proper.
The new development seeks to annul the fixed two terms set by the GFA Normalization Committee in 2019.
The limited tenure for the GFA Presidency was introduced after ex-leader, Kwesi Nyantakyi, served an unlimited term of office for 13 years.
The current GFA president, Kurt Okraku is in the final year of his first term, with the election period looming pretty quickly.
In an exclusive interview with the host of Sports Panorama, Benjamin Nketsia on Citi FM on Friday, June 9, 2023, the former Executive Council Member stated that the decision from the Review Committee of the Ghana Football Association is not genuine.
Is it that, they are doing it for themselves? Just immediately after the 8 years, or is it a long term project, they want to bring?
If it is a long term project and we implement it maybe in the next few years, like five or six years, it is fine. But if it is immediate, I don’t think it is proper.
I think eight years is enough for any individual who wants to be the President of the Football Association to make an impact, that is to bring the Association to a level where everyone will be happy.
We don’t need three terms, we don’t need it, I don’t support that.
It is unclear when the proposals will be submitted to FIFA and subsequently laid before members at Congress, but the FA has already engaged women’s league clubs, PFAG, and Division One League Clubs.
They are expected to meet Premier League clubs early next week as they continue with their consultations on the revised statutes.
The football governing body will hold its ordinary session of Congress on July 6, 2023, but it is not definite if these proposals would be part of the agenda for consideration and adoption.
The 2019 Statutes developed by Dr. Kofi Amoah, Naa Odofoley Nortey, Lucy Quist, and Sammy Kuffour who replaced Dua Adonten, per article 37(4) states that;
“No person shall serve as President for more than two terms of office, whether consecutive or not. Any other member of the Executive Council, including the Vice President, may serve for no more than three terms of office, whether consecutive or not. Any partial term beyond twenty-four (24) months shall count as a full term. Previous terms served as a vice president or as a member of the Executive Council shall not be considered in determining the term limits of a President.”