Ghana football is going through one of its most troubling periods, with declining public confidence, disappointing national team performances and growing concerns about the administration of the game. For a country whose footballing exploits once commanded admiration across Africa, the situation should be a matter of national concern.
Since assuming office as President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in October 2019, Kurt Okraku has promised to restore the country’s footballing fortunes. His administration’s much-publicised “Bring Back the Love” campaign was intended to rekindle public enthusiasm and restore confidence in the domestic game.
Seven years down the line, however, The Chronicle believes the campaign has failed to achieve its central objective. Instead of witnessing a sustained revival, supporters have endured disappointing results, administrative controversies and growing dissatisfaction with the GFA leadership.
Perhaps the most embarrassing setback was Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the first time the Black Stars had missed the continental competition in more than two decades.
For a country that has won the tournament four times and prides itself on being one of Africa’s football powerhouses, that failure was unacceptable.
Although Ghana subsequently qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, qualification alone cannot erase concerns about the country’s football development and national team management.
Indeed, the problems extend beyond the Black Stars. The domestic league, particularly the Premier League and lower divisions, continues to struggle to attract the public interest that once characterised Ghana football.
There was a time when matches involving Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak attracted enormous crowds. Today, many supporters appear more interested in European football than competitions organised on their own soil.
The Chronicle finds this development worrying, especially when the GFA’s central campaign promised to restore public affection for the domestic game. We acknowledge that league competitions have continued under Mr Okraku’s administration, alongside efforts to promote women’s football and grassroots development.
However, maintaining competitions is only one aspect of football administration. Leadership must ultimately be measured by the quality of competitions, player development, national team performances and public confidence.
Admittedly, Ghana’s football problems cannot be blamed entirely on one individual. They have accumulated over several years through inadequate infrastructure, insufficient investment and weaknesses in talent development.
Nevertheless, leadership comes with responsibility. Mr Okraku was elected to address these challenges, not merely preside over them. For this reason, The Chronicle believes Ghana football urgently requires comprehensive reforms.
First, there must be greater financial and operational transparency. Public resources committed to national teams and football development must be properly accounted for. Parliament and relevant state institutions must demand accountability without interfering in football administration.
Second, the GFA must strengthen its internal governance structures. Congress and other statutory bodies should be empowered to scrutinise leadership performance and initiate reforms through established procedures.
Equally important is the revival of grassroots football. Colts football, school competitions, regional leagues and junior national teams must receive sustained investment to ensure that talented youngsters progress into senior national teams on merit.
The GFA must also prioritise the domestic league through improved infrastructure, effective administration and commercial partnerships capable of attracting supporters back to stadiums.
National team selections must be based strictly on performance, discipline and technical competence. Any perception of favouritism or improper interference must be addressed to restore public confidence.
Furthermore, Ghana needs a coherent, long-term technical development strategy rather than constantly changing coaches whenever results become disappointing. These reforms require leadership that commands public confidence, accepts responsibility for failures and demonstrates the capacity to reverse Ghana football’s declining fortunes.
The Chronicle believes Mr Okraku has had sufficient time to prove himself. After seven years at the helm of the GFA, the continued struggles of domestic football and disappointing national team performances raise serious questions about his leadership. Although his administration may point to certain achievements, its overall record falls short of the expectations created by the “Bring Back the Love” campaign.
In our considered opinion, Mr Okraku has failed to deliver the football revival he promised. We, therefore, call on him to resign as President of the Ghana Football Association. This demand is not based on personal animosity, nor does it suggest that his departure alone will resolve Ghana’s football problems. Rather, it is a call for leadership accountability and an opportunity for the association to pursue a different direction.
His resignation should pave the way for a leadership transition through the GFA’s established constitutional processes, without government interference that could attract FIFA sanctions.
Ghana football is bigger than Kurt Okraku, the GFA Executive Council or any individual administrator. Its future must not be sacrificed to preserve the position of a leader whose administration has failed to deliver the transformation it promised.
For The Chronicle, the question is no longer whether Mr Okraku deserves more time. Seven years are enough to assess his leadership. He should resign and give Ghana football an opportunity for a fresh start. A word to the wise is enough!
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