The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced the formation of a medical committee to enhance healthcare standards across all levels of football in the country. This move aligns with the GFA’s commitment to safeguarding player welfare, improving medical governance, and ensuring compliance with global best practices in sports medicine.
Committee Members
Dr. [Med.] Abena Yeboaa Tannor, a specialist in Family Medicine and Sports, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Medicine, serves as the Chairperson of the Committee. She is a Training Coordinator of the Sports, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship Program and is a respected member of the Faculty of Family Medicine at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Ernest Anim-Opare is Vice-Chairman of the Committee and is also a dual specialist in Family Medicine and Sports, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Medicine. He is a Senior Resident of the Sports, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship Program and serves alongside Dr. Tannor as a faculty member at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. [Med.] Eric Tetteh Ayertey, a dedicated expert in Sports and Exercise Medicine with experience in athlete care and injury management at both club and national levels, completes the list of members of the Committee.
The Medical Committee's Scope of Work covers the following areas:
1. Education and Capacity Building Organizing annual certification-based training programs for all football medical personnel. Focus areas include sports cardiology, concussion management, doping control, sports nutrition, injury prevention, and mental health.
2. Clinical Governance and Oversight Enforcing adherence to GFA medical regulations and evidence-based practices through routine audits. Ensuring compliance across clubs, academies, and match venues.
3. Athlete Health Screening and Risk Management Implementing mandatory Pre-Participation Medical Evaluations (PPMEs) for all players at national and regional levels. Standardizing risk assessments and ensuring thorough medical clearance.
4. Injury Surveillance and Research Maintaining a centralized injury surveillance database. Promoting research initiatives to guide policy formulation and improve player health outcomes.
5. Professional Regulation and Registry Maintenance Establishing a verified registry of certified sports medicine and allied health professionals involved in football. Linking this registry to club licensing and compliance processes.
6. Anti-Doping and Substance Misuse Control Strengthening anti-doping education and testing in alignment with WADA, CAF, and FIFA standards. Supporting substance misuse prevention strategies and ensuring proper handling of doping violations.
This development marks a major step toward prioritizing the health and performance of players in Ghanaian football, aligning the GFA with international standards.
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