Francis Adu: GFA’s Director of IT explains 24-hour operations drive

Director of IT at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Francis Adu, has explained the rationale behind the adoption of a 24-hour operational system, stating that the move is aimed at improving service delivery while aligning with the government’s broader policy direction.

The bold move positions the GFA as the first sports institution in the country to structurally align its internal operations with the national agenda, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, modernization and responsive service delivery.

Speaking on the GFA Podcast hosted by Patrick Akoto, Francis Adu revealed that the decision to implement a 24-hour working structure at the IT department was driven by the increasing volume of player registrations and the need to respond promptly to clubs across the country.

“What informed the decision was our realization that we needed to strengthen our capacity and improve how we serve clubs,” he said. “Player registration falls under our jurisdiction, so we decided to restructure our schedule by dividing our time—having some staff work in the morning and others at different hours—in alignment with the 24-hour economy concept.”

According to him, the initiative also reflects broader national policy direction, aligning with the government’s push for a 24-hour economy aimed at boosting productivity and efficiency across sectors.

“It also aligns with the President’s ideology,” Adu noted, emphasizing the wider significance of the move beyond football administration.

He added that the impact has already been felt, particularly in reducing delays and clearing pending registration processes.

“Overall, it has been very helpful, and we have been able to clear backlogs in the system,” he explained.

With over 60,000 players registered annually in Ghana, Adu stressed that effective time management and continuous operations are critical to ensuring smooth and timely processing of player data.

“In Ghana, we register over 60,000 players each year, so we must use our time strategically to ensure we complete the tasks assigned to us,” he added.

The adoption of a 24-hour system marks another step in the GFA’s ongoing digital and administrative reforms, aimed at improving efficiency, responsiveness, and service delivery to stakeholders across all levels of Ghana football.