Some football stakeholders are calling on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Congress to review the current structure of the Division One League’s Zone One ahead of future seasons.
Zone One, which originally consisted of 16 clubs, was split into Sub-Zones 1A and 1B during the 2021/2022 season, with eight clubs placed in each zone following recurring incidents of hooliganism and security concerns. The move was widely praised at the time for helping restore calm and improve matchday security. However, with improved security arrangements now in place, some football stakeholders believe the time has come for the GFA to revisit the arrangement.
One proposal suggests returning Zone One to a single unified league involving clubs from the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Bono Ahafo regions. Supporters argue that improved crowd control, better security coordination and enhanced matchday protocols can now support a united competition. According to the proposal, a unified zone would revive old rivalries, strengthen competition and give northern football a stronger collective identity.
Others, however, believe the sub-zone format should remain but with a more balanced regional structure.Under the suggested arrangement, Sub-Zone 1A would consist of the Northern and Upper East regions, while Sub-Zone 1B would include the Bono Ahafo and Upper West regions.
The stakeholders also pointed to the competitive struggles of Zone 1A clubs since the split was introduced nearly five years ago, claiming that teams from Zone 1B have consistently dominated qualification to the Division One League playoffs.They are therefore urging the GFA Congress to either reunify Zone One or ensure equal regional balance if the sub-zone system is maintained.
“Northern football deserves a structure that is either united in strength or divided in fairness,” the appeal stated.