After a year-long spell without domestic football stemming from Anas' number 12 expose that shook this soccer loving nation to the core, the successful election of Mr Kurt Okraku as GFA President marked the beginning of a road map to reposition and rebrand our game.
''Bring back the Love'' as championed by the GFA president was a way of reviving the “dead” love of Football in the country.
Ghana places a high premium on football than any other sporting activities. After all, it is the sport that has consistently placed us higher up on the map-from Nations Cup glory, Juvenile football triumphs and stellar performances at the global football showpiece known as the World Cup.
The league adopted a new format by enshrining King Faisal and Olympics in the 20 team fold, a lot of work went into the administration level as well.
Appointments of seasoned journalists like Michael Oti Adjei (Referees Board) and Nana Aba Anamuah (Women's League Board).
Everything seemed to be going well with stellar club branding efforts through their diverse social media handles which has resonated with their teaming supporters.
The various media houses have played their parts in ensuring coverage has been at an all-time high with lovely contents and great coverage.
The Ghana Premier League
Surprisingly, Aduana stars and Berekum Chelsea who took the league by a storm.
Aduana Stars lead the league log with 28 points, 15 games into the league and two points adrift two time champions Berekum Chelsea while Kumasi Asante Kotoko ,Elmina Sharks and Ashanti Gold SC lie in 3rd, 4th and 5th place.
The league faces a fierce competition with very narrow margins from the top of the table to the 12th position.
After been reinstated by Congress on 25 October, King Faisal and Great Olympics have both struggled to pick up points.
Alhaji Grussah's King Faisal has been the worst of the pair picking up only 6points from 6 draws and is the only club yet to win a single game in the Ghana Premier League.
Legon Cities maybe the most well branded Team in the Ghana Premier League yet they have struggled to make their mark in the league.
Three wins and five draws in 15 games tells exactly why they are Relegation threatened.
Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs lead the relegation battle with 15points whilst Karela United and King Faisal fall below with 11 and 6 points respectively.
The Ghana Premier League has been nothing short of talents, Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan and many others rose through the ranks in the GPL.
Victorien Adebayor's pace coupled with power and tricky has been tells exactly why he is the most sort after player in the League.
After an initial Loan spell at Vejle BK Denmark, the Inter Allies captain has scored 12goals lauded as the best player in the league.
COVID -19 Emergence
The novel Corona Virus Pandemic has affected every industry in the world, Football and sports in general has been severely hit too.
In fact with the exception of Belarus no country is playing football at the moment.
Ghana’s Premier League came to an abrupt halt after the President of the republic placed a restriction on all public gatherings thus temporarily curtailing efforts channeled into the #BringBackthelove campaign -a plea designed to ignite passion amongst football fans and right the footballing wrongs of previous years.
Clubs are now faced with a glaring dilemma on the way forward to keep players active. With ''social distancing'' being preached on a daily, there is general concern that players would dip in form.
With the football and #BringBackthelove on autopilot till the COVID-19 pandemic is over, one wonders if the zeal and momentum new ascribed in the early stages of the campaign that ignited both the passion and safety of the fans would be maintained.
The Secretary of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo earlier this week stated that teams would be given time to train for a while before the league resumes should the current COVID-19 situation be over.
The question on the lips of every football fan remains ……… What Next for Ghana Football?
By: Yaw Ampofo Jr