The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Isaac Kwame Asiamah at his office in Accra on Tuesday.
The meeting was to formally introduce the newly-elected GFA Executive Council to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Minister.
Hon. Isaac Asiamah, on behalf of the Sports Ministry, warmly welcomed the GFA President and the Executive Council of the GFA.
He also congratulated them on their elections and urged them justify the trust placed in them by the football community.
"Your election places huge responsibilities on you to rebrand Ghana football, and as you say, ignite passion," Hon. Asiamah told the GFA.
"So far, what I have seen gives me an indication of a positive future. I have seen a posture of humility and the willingness to engage all stakeholders," the Minister told the GFA President and the Executive Council.
Touching on the league, the Minister noted that the domestic league is the most important aspect of Ghana football because that is what holds the future of Ghana football.
He, therefore, encouraged the GFA to bring about new innovations which will send a strong signal to football loving Ghanaians that indeed football is back in a big way.
"Let's not repeat what we did that plunged our football into low patronage. Let's be innovative and bring in new ways of doing things to tell Ghanaians that football is back in a grand way," Hon. Asiamah told the GFA.
The Minister also assured the GFA that in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the GFA has a reliable partner to achieve its objective of developing and promoting Ghana football.
He called on the GFA to join hands with the Ministry to work together as a team, and also advised members of the Executive Council to stay United and rally behind the new leader of Ghana football.
Responding, GFA President Kurt Okraku, thanked the Hon. Minister for his warm reception and his assurance to support the GFA to achieve its objective of ingniting passion and creating wealth.
Mr. Okraku lauded the Minister for his personal commitment to the development of football in Ghana, and assured him of the GFA's continuous engagements with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Sports.
On the domestic league, the GFA President revealed to the Ministry the GFA's innovations aimed at improving domestic competitions such new refereeing strategies, a fully functional technical department and the establishment of a competitions department which will be innovative in its approach, among others.
The meeting also discussed other important issues of mutual concern and agreed on forward-marching steps to help address them for the benefit of Ghana football.
Hon. Asiamah and his Deputy, Perry Curtis Kwablah Okudzeto led the discussion for the Ministry, while the GFA's discussion was led by the President and members of his Executive Council.