On the part of government, the Minister ensured the Mahama government would do everything possible in supporting football development through provision of infrastructure and other assistance.
Haruna Iddrisu said this when the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, paid him a visit in his office on Tuesday, October 24.
He said, "The government will assist you to build the infrastructure, and the president is adding and giving the Upper East people a special stadium. I have seen the beautiful thing you have done right by the roadside when you are coming into Bolgatanga.".
"We would like to thank you for that and also for leadership you are exhibiting. What is important in Ghana is corporate sponsorship for football, and then we have to brand our football. The lesson here is that if, for instance, you are entering the Prime Minister's office in the UK, what you see is 'Football, Great Britain', 'Culture Great Britain', 'Innovation Great Britain', all branded.".
"Think about how much their football has come so I am sure there are things you can absorb, but definitely you would need corporate and government support if you are to be in a position to do more, that you are sure we would do."
On his side, the FA President, Kurt Okraku told the Minister that the GFA has opened opportunities not only for the males but also for females footballers.
"Since I took over as president in 2019, I have said a lot of things and made a lot of promises to give women more opportunities. At the last congress of the football association, we created a political opportunity for women; a woman will be vice president of the FA going forward. We have offered a healthy number of opportunities to women in the governance structure of the FA. Now,90 per cent of the Black Queen players play abroad."
He went on to add, "The FA is providing them hope and a living and a chance to fulfill their aspirations. So we are happy to be here, we shall work together and see that we move in the agenda of the President of our country, who is restarting all areas of our country, including football.".