Kurt Okraku fires back at 'ignorant' Manhyia South MP: “How many pitches have you built?”

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has hit back at Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah following the lawmakers call for Government to intervene in the affairs of the Football Association and reform its Constitution.Baffour Awuah has argued that Government should step in to reform the GFA Constitution, while questioning the composition of the Associations stakeholders and suggesting that school football and other interest groups are inadequately represented.His comments have triggered a strong response from the football community, with questions being raised about the role politicians should play in addressing the challenges confronting Ghana football and the practical contribution expected from public officials.Simeon-Okraku, responding to the MPs comments in an interview on Asempa FM, turned the spotlight back on constituency-level football development.How many pitches have you constructed for your constituents to play on? Thats where the real issue is, the GFA President said.The response shifts the debate from broad calls for institutional reform to a more practical question: what are public officials doing within their own communities to create opportunities for young people who aspire to play football?While football administration remains open to legitimate scrutiny and constructive criticism, the GFA President has consistently maintained that the development of the game requires practical interventions across the football ecosystem, including infrastructure, grassroots competitions, coaching, talent development and access to playing facilities.The GFA has, in recent years, placed significant emphasis on grassroots development, including the revival and restructuring of Colts football, investment in youth coaching, provision of footballs and equipment, and the creation of stronger pathways from community football into the professional game.The wider issue, therefore, is not whether football deserves criticism. It does. The game faces challenges that require sustained attention from the GFA, Government, Parliament, clubs, Regional Football Associations, schools, corporate partners and other stakeholders.But criticism of football administration must also be accompanied by a clear understanding of how the game is governed.The GFA is not a Government department. Its statutes establish Congress as the body responsible for major legislative and governance decisions within the Association. The current Congress structure also includes representation for Schools and Colleges alongside clubs, Regional Football Associations, coaches, referees, players and other recognised football constituencies.That makes the debate over reform more complex than simply calling on Government to step in.There is certainly room for discussion about representation, accountability and the effectiveness of Ghanas football governance structures. But such discussions should be based on the actual statutes, established procedures and the realities of football administration rather than broad political assertions.Okrakus response consequently brings the debate back to the grassroots where the impact of football policy is ultimately felt.



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