Berry Ladies' boss set to secure GFA ExCo seat as other candidates withdraw

The CEO of Ghana Women’s Premier League side, Berry Ladies, Dr Gifty Oware-Mensah, has received a boost in her bid to represent women's football on the Executive Council (ExCO) of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for the next administration after going unopposed for the elections slated for September 27 in Tamale.

As nominations concluded on Friday, it became evident that Dr Oware-Mensah stood as the sole contender after other potential candidates withdrew their intentions to run. Among the individuals who had initially shown interest were ACP Lydia Donkor, CEO of Police Ladies; Evelyn Nsiah Asare, CEO of Hasaacas Ladies and ASP Naomi Fainusatu Abdulai, CEO of Prison Ladies, who in a tweet, expressed her reasons for stepping back, citing family considerations.

The only woman on the ExCo, Habiba Atta Forson, did not file to contest the position. 

“With a heavy heart, I wish to announce my withdrawal from contesting the GFA ExCO Women’s slot due to family issues. Thank you to my hard working team and supporters,” ASP Naomi Fainusatu Abdulai posted on Twitter.

Upon submitting her nomination, Dr Oware-Mensah received an unexpected boost, realising that her path to the FA's decision-making body was unobstructed. Expressing her enthusiasm about this prospect, she conveyed her gratitude to supporters and mentors on Twitter, highlighting the significance of women's involvement in sports administration.

“We came, we worked, we saw and we conquered. Thank you all for your support and love as we await vetting. For us with women's sports, we know how we do it. Congratulations to us all. It's about us taking our space and making the world hear from us. I am proud to be under your tutelage, all my mentors. On, on we go. Happy Sports weekend,” Dr Oware-Mesah posted on Twitter.

Gifty Oware-Mensah launching her campaign for the ExCO women's slot last Thursday

The  football administrator launched her campaign at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel last Thursday, and displayed deep knowledge of women’s football in Ghana.

During her compelling campaign address, she emphasised her commitment to action, saying: "I am not here to merely speak about my capabilities; I am here to tell you stories about the clubs, about the players. I know them—these 20 or 26 clubs that I have mentioned."

Her campaign is anchored on a comprehensive six-pillar strategy, spanning Grassroots Football, Talent Identification, Marketing and Sponsorship, National Teams, League Development, and Education. These areas, she pledged, would form the foundation of her endeavours if elected to the GFA's highest decision-making body.

On talent development, she promised to help establish comprehensive talent identification programmes to identify and support promising female athletes by collaborating with schools and clubs to scout and nurture talented athletes across various sports.

Legal Practitioner and husband of Gifty, Peter Mensah (in suit) and other dignitaries at the launch of her campaign 

As part of the educational policy, she promised to offer scholarships and support for female athletes to pursue education alongside their athletic careers as well as offer life skills, workshop and career development programmes to empower female athletes for their post-sports careers.

She believed the position would grant her the opportunity to be the unequivocal voice of women's football and women's clubs in our beloved nation.

“As a woman on the GFA Executive Council, I will champion female leadership within football and inspire more women to get involved at all levels, from playing to coaching to administration,” she said.