The Ghana Cricket Association (GCA) has ushered in a new era of leadership following its elective congress held last Saturday at the Cantonments Police Station Mosque in Accra.
Former national team all-rounder, Samson Kwasi Awe Awiah, has been elected as the new President of the Association. Awiah secured a decisive victory with 11 votes out of the 25 valid votes cast, defeating incumbent President Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah Asare, who garnered 9 votes, and Prince Eugene King, who received 5 votes.
In his victory speech, the newly sworn-in President outlined an ambitious agenda focused on decentralization and inclusivity. “The regional associations are one priority, making sure that we actively involve the cricketers each and every day, each and every week,” Awiah stated. He emphasized the need to develop the sport nationwide, ensuring opportunities are extended to players far from the capital.
“We want the national team players to be chosen from all the regions, so that we have equal representation when it comes to representing the nation,” he added, signaling a shift towards a more grassroots-focused selection process. “I know from now we start working, because there’s no time. We know where we’ve been, and we cannot wait to get out of where we’ve been.”
The election also saw the appointment of a new Vice President. Samuel Nana Ekow Biney Asamoah secured a convincing mandate with 17 votes, defeating incumbent Oscar Nii-Adza Provencal, who managed 8 votes.
Three board members were also elected to join the executive: Devasia Shijo, Nihal Abbas Ali Safi, and Vinod Punnackal. Angela Cassandra Allotey retained her position as Treasurer, securing a landslide victory with 21 votes against Dharmendra Thadani, who received 4 votes.
The congress was graced by a speech from the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President, Richard Akpokavie, read on his behalf by GOC General Secretary Mohammed Muniru Kassim. Mr. Akpokavie urged the new board to prioritize “grassroots development, youth participation, good governance and the promotion of cricket at both national and international levels.”
He also extended sincere appreciation to the outgoing board for their service and contribution to the development of cricket in Ghana, while wishing the new leadership a tenure filled with “renewed energy, greater opportunities and remarkable achievements.”
The new executive is expected to hit the ground running as they look to revitalize the sport and expand its reach across the country.
