In the weeks leading up to Sunday’s match, Francis Frimpong, now deceased, rendered an unqualified apology on national television to supporters of Nsoatreman F.C.

He had been threatened repeatedly by fans of the club who accused him of disrespecting Nsoatreman.

But what did he say? ‘‘I only said that I would rather see Nsoatreman relegated, than Hearts of Oak’’, the deceased said at the time.
After accessing the nature of the threats, Frimpong decided it was best to say sorry. Unfortunately, his apology was not enough.

#justiceforpooley pic.twitter.com/hXsaqesFsk

— Awurama (@TiwaaStephanie) February 3, 2025

The question on the minds of many is, did the GFA know about this? Did they investigate this? Whatever the answer is, it was very obvious on Sunday that they did not put any measures in place to protect Frimpong.

Two weeks ago, the GFA charged Nsoatreman F.C. for failing to ensure the safety of Medeama S.C. (breaching section 16 of Article 42).

Between the two incidents, the GFA should have known that Sunday’s match needed special attention.

But then again, has Kurt Okraku’s administration ever taken hooliganism seriously?

When Wamanafo Mighty Royals officials and supporters made an attempt referee Niatire Suntuo Aziz and his assistants, the GFA only imposed a fine of GH₵ 20,000 on the club.

When B.A United fans squeezed the private parts of Maxwell Hanson and beat him up in 2021, the club, just like Nsoatreman United only got a slap on the wrist by paying a similar fine.

When Bofoakwa Tano supporters beat up Nsoatreman coach Maxwell Konadu in 2023, all they had to do was pay the magic number; GH₵ 20,000 as fine.

The GFA has, by its sanctions, communicated to clubs and supporters that, the only punishment for hooliganism is GH₵ 20,000.

Yes, there is usually a stadium ban, but what does that mean to club owners who make next nothing from ticket sales? Nothing!

So Mr. Kofi Adams, if you want results, look beyond the GFA.

Legacy mandate

Kofi Adams has a unique opportunity to join the pantheon that accommodates the late Ohene Djan (commissioner for Sports under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah) and the late E.T. Mensah; men who significantly shifted the paradigm in sports administration in Ghana.

Even before he rolls out his plan, Sunday’s tragic passing of ‘Pooley’, as he was affectionately called, massively alters his plans.

He needs to own this case and ensure justice is served.

Kof Adams may not be the minister for Justice, but he oversees the multi-million dollar enterprise, that is wasting away by the minute.
Those who know Ghana’s new Minister for Sports and Recreation, have touted his clout and unrestricted access to President John Dramani Mahama as a major trump card.

If ever there was a time to use that, and every trick in the book, it is now.

He has to summon all that clout, perceived or real, to cut through the maze of bureaucracy and systemic incompetence and corruption that has shielded criminals for years, and threatens to steal justice from a bereaved family.

It will not be easy.

Ignatius Baffour Awuah - president of Nsoatreman F.C, who was arrested on Monday, is a big-time politician and a former Minister for Employment and Labour Relations. When Akufo-Addo government had to sacrifice some appointees in the election year, Baffour Awuah was one of the few who were retained.

Former employment and labor relations minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah

Thus, his status as a politician, is exactly the kind that has complicated previous investigations. If there is any difference, it is the fact that in the past, people like Baffour Awuah, or divisional chiefs would have been compelled to intervene for a fan(s) who face(s) prosecution for their role in such.
In this case, personalities bigger than Baffour Awuah, would attempt to derail the wheels of justice.

That is why Kofi Adams needs the full force of the presidency behind him to whip the Attorney General’s Department, the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service and all state investigative agencies to work in his favour.

What will not require state support, is the institutional reforms he can spearhead.

At the moment, the GFA has left matchday security protocols entirely in the hands
home teams.

So even though they can agree with the GFA on what is best for each game, clubs have, time without number, only fund what they can afford. Or should I say, what they want to pay for.

That cannot be allowed to continue.
The Minister has to lead the reforms even if it means bullying the GFA and clubs into making significant changes to the matchday security protocols.

For example, why did two sets of supports who were fighting while the match was going on, allowed to use the same stadium exits at the same time when the match ended?

Beyond that, the GFA also needs to be slapped out of its fixation with only patting offending clubs on the back with small fines.

When he was first nominated, pundits said that this job would test Kofi Adams better than any other and they did not lie.