President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has lauded the Ghana Army for their significant contributions to football development in the country.

This commendation was made during a heartfelt courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, and his team of Generals at the Army Headquarters in Accra on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

Accompanied by senior GFA officials, President Simeon-Okraku expressed his deep gratitude to Major General Onwona and his top officials for their unwavering support and commitment to football, particularly women's football, in Ghana.

This visit was part of the final leg of the Women's FA Cup trophy tour, following similar visits to the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service the previous week.

“I am extremely excited to be here today. Excited to be amongst this special group of people I love to be involved with, especially for the high level of discipline enshrined in your culture,” President Simeon-Okraku said.

“If you want to win laurels, you need to be very disciplined and that can be found in this home. I want to thank your good self (Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona), for the support and investment in sports in general, but football in particular."

He further acknowledged the Army's equal investment in both men's and women's football, highlighting the rise of the Army Ladies team due to this support.

He noted that the Ghana Army has benefited from a capacity-building workshop organized by the GFA and expressed the desire to offer more opportunities for training coaches, administrators, and referees in the near future.

“Two years ago, I was part of a session that trained some members of your staff as Coaches and that was a sign of a strong cooperation between the FA and the Army.

The Football Association will continue to offer opportunities for Referees, Administrators, and Coaches as we journey along in our determination to bring Ghana football to the level that it deserves,” he concluded.

Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, in his remarks, expressed his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon the Army by the GFA's visit.

He highlighted the historic nature of the occasion, marking the first time such an event had taken place at the Army Headquarters.

“This occasion is historic in the life of the Ghana Army because it is the first time an event of this nature is being held at the Army Headquarters.

I must admit that we are all delighted and grateful to the President of the Association and his members for this gesture,” Major General Onwona said.

“Sports, we say, is a microcosm of society. It epitomizes the values of the given society. To us in the military, it is a rallying point where esprit de corps is established and strengthened, aside from the health benefits it brings to participants.”

He assured the GFA of the Army's continued positive collaboration to make women's football a great success in Ghana.

“Let me assure the Football Association President and his team that the Ghana Army will continue to collaborate positively with the Ghana Football Association to make Women’s Football a great success in Ghana,” he concluded.

The Army Ladies, aiming to win their first Women's FA Cup title in their third final appearance, will face Police Ladies at the University of Ghana Stadium on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 16:00 GMT.

President Simeon-Okraku was accompanied by Executive Council member Dr. Mrs. Gifty Oware Mensah, Deputy General Secretary in charge of Administration Ama Brobey-Williams, Head of Public Relations and Strategy Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe, Head of Competitions Julius Emunah, Chairperson of the Women's FA Cup Committee Rosalind Koramah Amoh and her vice Banker Florence Bameh, along with other senior GFA figures.