GFA explains club licensing process as AshantiGold 04 face rejection

Ghana Football Association's Club Licensing Manager, Esme Mends, has shed light on the ongoing club licensing process, explaining that it is an ongoing endeavor with clubs expected to adhere to specific criteria before being granted approval to participate in the upcoming season. Mends stated that the process commences as soon as the previous season concludes, enabling the GFA to evaluate clubs and verify their adherence to the necessary prerequisites leading up to the new season.

"Club licensing operates on a continuous basis, commencing immediately after the conclusion of each season, with clubs evaluated based on a set of criteria prior to the issuance of their respective licenses," said Mends. According to Mends, clubs must meet all the stipulated criteria to receive a license. She elaborated that her office meticulously reviews the documentation submitted by clubs before forwarding the cases to the First Instance Board (FIB) for a final verdict.

"Before a license is granted, all criteria must be satisfied, and I personally scrutinize all the submitted documents before they are presented to the FIB. The FIB deliberates on whether to grant approval or not, based on the documents assessed by my team," explained Mends. Although numerous clubs have successfully completed the licensing process, Mends disclosed that Ashanti Gold 04 has currently been denied a license for the upcoming season, although they retain the right to appeal the decision.

"Although several clubs have been approved, it appears that Ashanti Gold 04 has been rejected this season. However, it is important to note that an initial rejection does not necessarily indicate that the club failed to meet all the requirements. They may have been unable to provide certain documents during the review process, but we are actively working with Ashanti Gold 04 to address the outstanding issues," stated Mends.

With the new season looming, Ashanti Gold 04's appeal and efforts to fulfill the remaining requirements will determine whether the club can secure the necessary license to participate in the competition. The 2026/27 Ghana Premier League is slated to commence on September 5.