First Lady raises over GH₵1m for women’s football

The First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo has raised over one million cedis (GH₵1,250,000) for the development of women’s football in the country.

The funds will be among others be used to establish the First Women’s School of Soccer Excellence in West Africa and organise the inaugural edition of the First Lady’s Cup, a tournament billed as the female version of the Ghana League Clubs Association’s (GHALCA) Presidents Cup.

Addressing the launch of the inaugural First Lady’s Cup on Wednesday in Accra, Mrs Akufo-Addo said the School which is to be constructed in Ghana will train women’s coaches and other technical staff to upgrade the capacity of women in the footballing industry.

She added that she was eagerly looking forward to the day when dug-outs across the country would be filled with only women during women’s football matches.

“If we must develop women’s football, we must start with building a solid foundation. I am excited that the Ghana Football Association, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education are pursuing a school programme to develop the girl child’s football talent In line with FIFA’s book for boots project,” Mrs Akufo-Addo said.

Commending GHALCA’s efforts to make football administration more inclusive by adding a woman to its Executive Council, the First Lady also called for the introduction of quota’s in women’s football administration in the country.

She urged GHALCA to consider appointing two vice-chairpersons in the future with one position reserved for women.

Source: Graphic online