Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, has voiced his displeasure with the approach taken by football fans and sports journalists who organised a demonstration earlier this year, calling for reforms in Ghana football.
On February 14, 2024, prominent sports journalists such as Saddick Adams, Patrick Osei Agyemang, and Veronica Commey, among others led a public protest under the banner “Save Ghana Football.”
The demonstration was a response to the declining standards of the nation’s football, with many criticising the GFA’s leadership, particularly following the Black Stars’ disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they failed to advance beyond the group stage.On February 14, 2024, prominent sports journalists such as Saddick Adams, Patrick Osei Agyemang, and Veronica Commey, among others led a public protest under the banner “Save Ghana Football.”
However, Okraku believes the demonstrators could have chosen a different path.
Speaking to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports during a probe into the state of football in Ghana, the GFA President expressed frustration at how the protest unfolded.
“For the respect we have for this house and for the fact that all of us have a common shared vision —to deliver Ghana football the way it has to be delivered. Except ordinarily I wouldn’t react because a lot of the people who put this together are people who work for us,” Okraku said.
“People who have access, direct access, not only to my good self but the leadership of this FA. They have so many channels not to create the atmosphere they created in this country to address issues which are of grave concern to them.
Kurt Okraku claims issues were being addressed
Okraku argued that the issues raised by the protestors were already being addressed by the FA.
(But they decided the way they decided) haven’t said that, if the group have been very patient, if they had gone through the already accessible spaces or channels they have they will realize that most of the concerns were already taken care of or being taken care of by the leadership of the FA,” he added.
The demonstration reflected growing frustration with the state of football in the country, particularly in the wake of the Black Stars’ poor AFCON performance.
Despite the protest, Kurt Okraku remains confident that the GFA is on the right path to improving the game in Ghana.
