Kotoko National Circles Council Refuses to Attend GFA Meeting on Supporter Safety

The Kotoko National Circles Council (NCC) has made a bold decision to boycott a crucial meeting organized by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) focused on the safety of football supporters.

This move comes amidst ongoing concerns about crowd control, security measures, and the overall well-being of fans during football matches in the country.

The meeting, intended to address pressing issues surrounding supporter safety at football games, was set up in response to incidents of violence and disorder at recent matches across Ghana.

The GFA hoped to engage key stakeholders, including club representatives, security agencies, and supporters’ groups, to create a unified approach to ensuring that fans can attend matches without fear of harm.

However, the Kotoko National Circles Council, a major supporters’ group of Asante Kotoko SC, announced that they would not participate in the meeting.

In a statement released on February 6, the NCC expressed dissatisfaction with the way the GFA has handled supporter-related issues in the past, including the lack of meaningful dialogue and resolution of concerns raised by fan groups.

“We refuse to be part of any meeting that does not take our concerns seriously. The safety of our supporters has been an ongoing issue, and the GFA has failed to adequately address it,” the statement read. “We believe that any discussions on fan safety must include direct input from the supporters themselves, not just club officials and other stakeholders who may not fully understand the real challenges we face.”

The NCC’s decision to skip the meeting has sparked mixed reactions. Some football fans and analysts have backed the Kotoko supporters’ council, arguing that they are right to demand more attention to their needs.

Others, however, have criticized the boycott, suggesting that such a stance could hinder progress and further complicate efforts to improve the safety situation.

The GFA, in response to the boycott, expressed disappointment but reiterated its commitment to addressing the safety concerns of all supporters. “We remain open to engaging with all stakeholders, including the Kotoko National Circles Council, in finding a lasting solution to the challenges surrounding supporter safety,” a GFA spokesperson said.

In recent years, Ghanaian football has been plagued by incidents of violence at matches, from clashes between rival supporters to physical altercations with security personnel. These incidents have raised serious questions about the measures in place to protect fans, and the GFA has been under pressure to implement more effective security protocols.

The Kotoko National Circles Council’s refusal to attend the meeting highlights the deep frustrations among supporters who feel marginalized in the decision-making process. As one of the most influential fan groups in the country, their absence from these discussions may lead to a lack of trust in the GFA’s ability to find meaningful solutions.

With football fans across the nation calling for action, the GFA faces increasing pressure to not only improve security but to foster a collaborative environment where all stakeholders, especially supporters, are included in shaping the future of Ghanaian football.

Whether or not the GFA can bridge the divide and gain the support of the NCC remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the issue of fan safety is now at the forefront of football governance in Ghana.