GFA President Kurt Okraku has told match commissioners that they will lose their jobs if they do not do their work well.
He spoke at a training session for match officials on Tuesday, highlighting the need to improve safety and security in Ghana’s top football league.
His warning came after the sad death of Asante Kotoko fan Francis Frimpong, also called Pooley, who was stabbed during the team’s Week 19 match against Nsoatreman FC in Nsoatre.
After this incident, the Ghana Premier League was stopped while the GFA discussed with all 18 clubs how to prevent future violence.
“We’ll be very, very fair in assessing your work. Be honest,” Okraku said during the engagement.
“Those who fall below the line, unfortunately, will leave us. When you hear the discourse in the public space, you would admit that all is not well. And if we have the opportunity to fix what is not right, this is the most opportune time.”
The suspect in Pooley’s death, known as Brimah, is still on the run. Consequently, A former manager of Asante Kotoko, is offering GH¢10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of the person who killed Francis Yaw Frimpong, known as Nana Pooley.
Serebour Boateng announced on Facebook that the reward will be given to anyone whose information helps catch the main suspect in the murder case.
Asante Kotoko’s first team will return to training today, but the club has stated that they will not play any official matches until justice is done for their late supporter.
About Pooley’s death
Francis Yaw Frimpong, affectionately known as Nana Pooley, was a passionate supporter of Asante Kotoko. Tragically, he was fatally stabbed on February 2, 2025, following a Ghana Premier League match between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC at Nana Koramansah II Park.
The incident occurred after an on-field altercation among players escalated into the stands, leading to a violent confrontation. Pooley was caught in the chaos and suffered a fatal stab wound to the heart. The autopsy report revealed that the weapon used was about 7.5 cm long, and the cut to his heart was approximately 1.6 cm deep, causing catastrophic internal bleeding.
The Ghana Police Service has arrested six suspects in connection with the incident, including former Sunyani West MP Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, who is also the owner of Nsoatreman FC. The football community has been deeply affected by Pooley’s death, and there have been calls for justice and an end to hooliganism in Ghanaian football.