HISTORY
The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), like many social groupings, has a chequered history.
Founded in the heat of a Military coup led by General I. K. Acheampong between 1972 – 1973, it was christened as the Organisation of Ghana League Clubs Association (OGLCA) by the Founding Fathers –Mr. K. Budu Acquah, Kojo Quarshie and Zac Bentum – all deceased.

At the time, football governance was solely controlled by the Government who appointed the GFA Chairman and the Members of the Management Board. The Founding Fathers found this system unacceptable and using the OGLCA as a Pressure Group, challenged the Military Government to allow Football People to run their own affairs. The Government resisted this move, and at a time arrested and detained the Leaders of OGLCA in Military custody.

Football during this period was run by Philanthropists. People like H. P. Nyametei, of Hearts of Oak, Mr. Hope Yomekpe of Great Olympics, Mr. Agbojan of Standfast, B. K. Edusei of Kotoko and several others spent their time and resources on football without any significant financial returns.

Other notable personalities like Major Yaw Larson, Mr. Antwi Gyamfi, Nana Ntiri Dankyi, Mr. I. K. Edusei, Boye Sowah and the Immediate Past Chairman of the Association, Mr. Kudjoe Fianoo, took up the struggle to ensure that “Football People” had greater say in the Administration of football in the country. Their effort paid off when in 1983, the Jerry Rawlings Military regime introduced participatory Democracy and gave same recognition to “Football People” to be part of the GFA.

In 1988 Government then agreed to power-sharing in the 5-Member Management Board of the GFA with Government appointing the Chairman and two others, and GHALCA became relevant in the OGLCA, nominating the Vice Chairman and one other member.

In the year 2006, OGLCA became GHALCA with enhanced stature and continued to occupy the GFA Vice Chairmanship slot with a huge say at Congress – the highest decision-making Body of the GFA.

This trend of the GFA hierarchy continued until 2015 when FIFA introduced a new format for electing the Executive Committees of its Member Associations that its prototype Statutes compelled Member Association to adopt, without modification, a uniform composition and election conditions for all Member-Associations.

It is quite significant to note the GHALCA has, since its inception, produced three GFA Chairmen and two Presidents; in the persons of Nana Sam Brew-Butler (1992 – 1996), the late Alhaji M. N. D. Jawula (1996 – 2000), the late Mr. S. K. Mainoo, once Chairman of Asante Kotoko (1984 – 1986), Mr. Kwasi Nyantakyi (2005 – 2018) and Mr. Kurt E. S. Okraku (2019 to date).

VISION:
To operate as an Association that has the welfare of all League Clubs at heart and adopt policies that transcend all the tiers of its membership.

MISSION:
1. To pursue the Welfare issues of League Clubs in Ghana and offer material and financial assistance and support when necessary.

2. To promote an effective link between the League Clubs and the GFA and aid League Clubs in their legal matters affecting football.

3. To ensure proper Capacity Building to facilitate efficient Football Administration for all League Clubs in Ghana.

4. To organise and promote healthy Football Competitions among League Clubs to foster friendship and unity among them.

VALUES:
The core value of GHALCA is the Clubs. They are GHALCA’s main assets which explains why every activity of GHALCA is centered on the Clubs whose interest GHALCA serves.

MEMBERSHIP:
The direct Members of GHALCA are the Premier Clubs, Division One League Clubs and Women Premier Clubs. The Women Division One, Division Two, Division Three and Juvenile Clubs who are known as the Regional Leagues, are affiliated to GHALCA through their respective Regional Football Associations (RFAs).

STRUCTURE OF GHALCA:
The Association is run by an Eight-Member Executive Council headed by the Chairman with an Administrative Manager who, as the Chief Scribe, is in charge of the daily affairs of the Secretariat. He has a Secretary and one Supporting Staff.
There is also a Communication Officer, who handles GHALCA’s media issues.

CURRENT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. John Kofi Ansah –  Chairman
2. Phyllis Marku Mensah –  Vice Chairperson
3. Patrick Martey Boye –  Treasurer
4. Joseph Nkoo Premier Clubs Rep. – (Member)
5.  Fred Tindan Premier Clubs Rep. – (Member)
6. Eric Opoku Division One Clubs Rep. – (Member)
7. Naomi F. Abdulai Women Premier Clubs Rep. – (Member)
8. Gabriel Godwin Kwao Regional Leagues Rep. –  (Member)