Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, has renewed his call for the country to reconsider its ban on alcohol sponsorship in football, describing it as a major barrier to the sport’s commercial growth.
Speaking at the GFA’s 31st Ordinary Congress, Okraku said the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) guidelines, which prevent alcoholic beverage companies from sponsoring football, have cost the game millions of cedis in potential revenue.
“This is not to challenge regulation, but to appeal for reform grounded in logic, fairness, and global best practice,” he stressed.
He noted that while global tournaments like the UEFA Champions League benefit from major alcohol brands such as Heineken, Ghanaian football is denied similar opportunities, despite these same competitions being widely consumed by local fans, including young people.
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“It is both paradoxical and economically counterproductive that Ghanaian football cannot benefit from a product category that supports the game across the globe,” he said.
Okraku proposed developing a strict but enabling regulatory framework crafted with the FDA, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, civil society, and health groups that would allow responsible alcohol sponsorship.
According to him, such reforms could create vital revenue streams to strengthen clubs, improve player welfare, and boost the competitiveness of the local game.
