Ghana Football Association and police join forces to stop illegal betting and protect legal wagers
Ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season, the Football Association and the police have collaborated to protect legal betting.
Ghana.- The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is teaming up with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police Service to tackle illegal betting, protect legal wagers and ensure Ghanaian football remains fair and credible ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
GFA President Kurt Simeon-Okraku met with CID Director-General Commissioner of Police Lydia Donkor at the Police Headquarters on August 25 for a high-level discussion focused on three key challenges facing the game: illegal betting, match manipulation and hooliganism.
Simeon-Okraku said, according to GFA Communications: “As we prepare for a new season, we want to strengthen our relationship with the Police Service to fight the canker of match manipulation, clamp down on illegal betting activities and ensure that violence and hooliganism are rooted out of our game.”
He emphasised that the GFA is committed to protecting the integrity of competitions while fostering a safe and transparent environment for players, officials and fans.
This joint initiative forms part of the GFA’s broader stakeholder engagement strategy as the Premier League season kicks off on September 12.
Illegal bets out, legal wagers safe
Donkor also welcomed the collaboration, highlighting football’s national significance. “We consider football a national treasure and an avenue for unity, development and pride. The Police Service, through the CID, will continue to stand with the GFA in addressing emerging challenges such as corruption in sports, violence at match venues and illegal betting practices,” she said.
The GFA and CID are particularly focused on illegal betting, a persistent threat to fair play. While regulated betting continues to thrive as a legitimate industry contributing to sports financing, authorities are clear on cracking down on unlicensed operations that jeopardise the game’s credibility.
Fans, players and licensed betting operators can expect a professionally managed competition where integrity and fair play are prioritised.
