GPL clubs urged to make PROs part of management at Betway summit

The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) has charged its members to appoint club spokespersons and Public Relations Officers (PROs) to managerial roles in order to improve communication from clubs in times of crisis.

According to the Chairman of GHALCA, Mr Kudjo Fianoo, this coupled with the adoption of technological advances in communication would contribute towards making the league much more professional and interesting.

Addressing the BetwayUP PR Summit organised by GHALCA in collaboration with Betway and the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) on Wednesday in Accra, Mr Fianoo said club PROs play key roles in whipping up interest in the league and they must upgrade their skills in order to receive more responsibility.

"These appointments will come with responsibility, especially how to use social media in times of crisis management, to the extent of making money out of it and this will make our league more interesting and more competitive," Mr Fianoo said.

He also urged participants at the clinic to implement the new techniques that they learnt at the summit when they return to their clubs.

Mr Fianoo further disclosed that his outfit would in collaboration with Betway and SWAG organise similar summits for the National Women's League clubs and the Division One League clubs in August and September respectively.

"As clubs, we need to add to what we know already. In order to improve we need to take advantage of such opportunities and we are grateful to SWAG and Betway for this partnership".

PR Summit

The Country Manager, Marketing for Betway, Mr Kwabena Oppong-Nkrumah said the one-day summit is part of an effort to contribute to the development of professional football in Ghana.

On his part, the President of SWAG, Mr Kwabena Yeboah stated that the summit was timely given the questions that had been raised about the integrity of the league. He advised the clubs and the GFA as a whole to use some of the techniques to improve the reputation of local football.

Participants included Executives of (SWAG) and the media officers of the 16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) clubs from the just-ended season and the three recently-promoted GPL clubs.

The speakers included; former CAF Media Officer, Mr Kofi Addae; a social media expert Mr Albert Aryee; former Ghana Football Association (GFA) PRO and current GFA Executive Committee member, Dr Randy Abbey; and former GFA Vice President, Mr Fred Pappoe.