The Ghana Football Association (GFA) placed player safety and welfare at the centre of the Elite U-17 Girls Championship by successfully implementing comprehensive safeguarding measures throughout the tournament at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE) in Prampram.
Ahead of the competition, the GFA carried out a detailed safeguarding risk assessment covering child protection, player welfare, medical support, emergency response procedures, venue safety, and security to ensure a safe environment for all participants.
As part of its safeguarding programme, players were educated on recognising and preventing abuse in football, understanding the different forms of abuse, and using the appropriate reporting channels to raise concerns. Designated female safeguarding officers were also available throughout the championship to provide support and assistance to the young players.
The Association further maintained high player welfare standards during the competition by ensuring qualified medical personnel were on-site. Teams were encouraged to seek immediate medical attention whenever players required care, reinforcing the GFA’s commitment to protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of every participant.
By Wletsu Ransford