Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak have jointly submitted a proposal to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), calling for crucial reforms to enhance the Ghana Premier League.
This move follows the tragic events at Nana Kronmansah Park during last weekend’s Matchday 19 fixture between Nsoatreman FC and Kotoko, where violent clashes led to the fatal stabbing of Nana Pooley by unidentified assailants.
In their statement, the two most celebrated clubs in Ghanaian football voiced deep concerns over the league’s current state, emphasizing the urgent need for security improvements and stricter club licensing regulations.
They urged the GFA to take full responsibility for security arrangements at match venues to safeguard both lives and property.
Among their key recommendations, Kotoko and Hearts of Oak called for the full implementation of the Gbadegbe Commission report and the deployment of at least 100 police officers for Category A and B matches.
They further proposed that Category A fixtures and high-risk Category B games should have at least 20 military personnel present.
Additionally, the clubs suggested that security forces be sourced from different regions rather than the host community of a match to prevent bias.
They also advocated for the installation of security cameras at all league venues and a comprehensive reassessment of match risks to ensure proper categorization. Matches at venues failing to meet safety standards should be relocated, they argued.
Beyond security, the clubs urged the Club Licensing Department to establish new minimum standards for Premier League match venues.
They also recommended that the Ghana Premier League become an autonomous entity, operating independently from the GFA.
On the financial front, Kotoko and Hearts of Oak pushed for exemptions from Value Added Tax (VAT) and other deductions on match proceeds.
Additionally, they demanded greater transparency in television rights agreements, insisting that the GFA disclose the number of matches to be broadcast before each season to ensure fair revenue distribution.
As part of their final request, both clubs asserted their importance as major stakeholders in Ghanaian football and called for automatic representation on the GFA Executive Committee.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has arrested six suspects in connection with Nana Pooley’s death.
In response, Kotoko has declared that they will not participate in any football activities until justice is served.