FIFA grants GFA approval to extend presidential term limits

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Aug 4, 2025

The world football governing body FIFA, has officially approved the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) request to extend the presidential term limit from two terms to three.

This amendment aligns the GFA’s presidential term with the frameworks followed by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), addressing a long-standing inconsistency where Executive Council members could serve three terms but the President was restricted to two.

The move follows an extensive review process initiated over three years ago, when the GFA received numerous proposals from members seeking amendments to the association’s statutes.

To manage this, a Statutes Review Committee chaired by Dr. Randy Abbey was established, engaging a wide range of stakeholders including clubs from the Premier League, Division One League, Women’s Premier League, and Regional Football Associations.

The committee compiled proposals, which were further discussed in stakeholder meetings before being submitted to FIFA and CAF for review and guidance.

FIFA endorsed the extension of the presidential term limit as well as the elevation of the Women’s Representative on the Executive Council to serve as the 2nd Vice President of the GFA, supporting improved gender equity and representation.

However, FIFA advised against other proposed expansions, such as increasing the size of the Executive Council, emphasizing a need for a more structured approach to such broader governance changes.

The formal power to amend the GFA Statutes resides exclusively with the GFA Congress, as clearly stated in the GFA’s governing documents. Amendments require a minimum presence of more than 50% of eligible voting delegates and adoption by a three-quarters majority vote.

Following FIFA’s approval, the GFA is set to place the presidential term amendment on the agenda for the next Congress scheduled for August 12, 2025, where members will vote on its adoption adhering to these procedures.

If the Congress ratifies the change with the required majority, the three-term presidential limit will become part of the GFA Statutes, ensuring leadership terms are consistent with FIFA and CAF standards.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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