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.