President Nana Akufo-Addo, on Sunday, 20 September 2020, announced the return of the Ghana Premier League on 30 October 2020 after a six-month hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his 17th COVID-19 address to the nation, President Akufo-Addo said training for all contact sports will be allowed.

As part of the phased easing of restrictions, President Akufo-Addo said the government has decided to allow the resumption of training in all contact sports, taking into consideration the imminent participation of “our national teams in international competitions”.

“Indeed, some national teams have already been given the dispensation to begin training, ahead of their international engagements.

“All sportspeople, who are camped, are to be tested regularly”, the President said.

“With respect to football, after due consultations with the Ghana Football Association, it has been decided that the Ghana Premier League and the Division One Football League will restart on Friday, 30 October, with a full regime of testing of the players, technical and management staff”, he stated.

He said the stadia will be allowed to accept only 25% of supporters who must mandatorily wear masks and observe all COVID-19 protocols.

He said the limited number would be allowed into every stadium based on its capacity, adding “no fans would be allowed to visit teams training grounds during training”.

“No spectators will be allowed at the training centres, and, when actual competition resumes, seating at all stadia will be limited to twenty-five per cent (25%) capacity to ensure social distancing.

“Wearing of masks by spectators at stadia will be mandatory.

“The restart of all other sporting competitions will be determined on a case-by-case basis, pending consultations between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the respective sport associations,” the President noted.