Africa Rugby appoints Normalisation Committee to manage operations and elections of Ghana Rugby

Africa Rugby, in collaboration with the National Sports Authority (NSA), has announced the establishment of a five-member Normalisation Committee to oversee the Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) and facilitate the election of new national officers by the end of 2024.

Chaired by Mohammed Sahnoon, representing the Ghana Olympic Committee, the committee also includes Dave Gilbert from World Rugby and Africa Rugby, Abdul-Majeed Bawa, Deputy Director General of the NSA, Bawa Fuseini from Ghana Athletics, and Erica Amoako representing the GRFU.

This initiative follows the resignation of Herbert Mensah as President in August 2023 after his election as President of Rugby Africa, marking a significant move towards new leadership for the GRFU. The organization has faced legal challenges since 2021, which have hindered its growth and raised concerns about potential suspension from Africa Rugby.

The Normalisation Committee is tasked with restoring stability and ensuring a smooth transition in GRFU leadership. Its primary role is to manage the day-to-day operations of the union, ensuring alignment with global standards set by World Rugby and Africa Rugby. The committee will also organize an elective congress by the end of 2024, with members prohibited from standing for election to maintain transparency.

Furthermore, the committee aims to enhance cooperation between the GRFU and its international partners to address compliance issues and prevent further disciplinary actions, ensuring Ghana remains active in international rugby.

At the committee’s introduction, NSA Board Chairman and Acting Director-General Seth Panwum expressed gratitude to Africa Rugby for their support in addressing GRFU’s challenges. He highlighted that the prolonged legal disputes have severely affected rugby’s development in Ghana, jeopardizing the nation’s participation in international competitions.

Panwum stated, “The Normalisation Committee provides an opportunity to restore stability and avoid suspension from African rugby activities.”

Dave Gilbert reiterated the committee’s goal of revitalizing Ghana Rugby, emphasizing a commitment from World Rugby and Africa Rugby to promote the sport across the continent.

Ghana is also set to host the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup Championships in Accra, representing a significant advancement in the country’s international rugby engagement.

Panwum noted the government’s substantial investments in sports infrastructure for rugby and its ongoing commitment to supporting all sports. He added that committee member Erica Amoako will manage all communications related to rugby in Ghana and urged full cooperation with the committee as it works to revitalize Ghana Rugby on the global stage.