Kumasi, Oct. 6, GNA - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has tasked its Medical Committee to fashion out proactive doping control programmes to help expose players who take performance- enhancing drugs. Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Association who announced this said doping in whatever form was against the principles of soccer and of FIFA, the world's football governing body and that the FA was determined to ensure that the Ghanaian game was devoid of the usage of drugs by players.

The President of the FA was speaking at a press conference in Kumasi on Friday, and cautioned players against doping and usage of other drugs adding that his outfit would not hesitate to mete out the appropriate sanctions against any player caught engaging in drugs.

The Press Conference was designed to create a forum for media personnel in the northern sector of the country to share their concerns about the Ghanaian game with the Executive Committee of the GFA.

Mr Nyantakyi advised the players to be disciplined and work harder to boost their football career development instead of resorting to drugs, which he noted could jeopardize their future.

He said the GFA has stepped up efforts to facilitate the adjudication of cases presented to its Judicial Committee by Clubs for the smooth running of the League.

The President of FA attributed the delay in dispensing of cases before the Judicial Committees on timely basis because majority of the members of the constituted Committees work on part time bases. He announced that the GFA therefore intends to engage permanent members to improve upon the current situation.

Mr Nyantakyi affirmed the Association's resolve to develop the junior national teams to an appreciable standard for the benefit and development of Ghana football.

"We are putting in place the necessary measurers for the successful grooming and steady progression of our juvenile players to the senior national teams to ensure consistency in Ghana football", he emphasized.